January 6th and the 2024 Election: America’s Reckoning with Democracy

An Interview with Alvaro de Cozar from TrueStories (“Hechos Reales)

The United States is gearing up for another heated election in 2024, and the shadow of January 6, 2021, still lingers over the nation’s politics. That day of chaos at the U.S. Capitol, marked by violence and bloodshed, has not faded into history. Instead, it continues to shape the political narrative, especially with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris now set to face off in a deeply polarized presidential race. The memory of January 6 remains potent, influencing voter sentiment, party strategies, and the broader conversation about democracy in America.

Consider the story of Aquilino Gonell, a Dominican immigrant and U.S. Capitol Police officer who stood his ground against a violent mob on that day. Gonell, who came to the U.S., learned English, and served in the Army during the Iraq War, embodies the ideals of the American dream. Yet, on January 6, he found himself defending the very heart of American democracy from those who sought to tear it apart.

Speaking to Alvaro de Cozar, a journalist and podcast producer, Gonell shared how his experience reflects the harsh reality of the American dream. For immigrants like him, dedicated to American values, defending the Capitol became a painful reminder that the dream can be both inclusive and disillusioning. It’s a story that echoes across the broader immigrant experience, where loyalty to American ideals is sometimes met with unexpected hostility, both from within and beyond.

The Ongoing Battle Over January 6

Four years on, January 6 is still a flashpoint in the debate over American democracy. Trump has consistently called the insurrection the act of “exuberant patriots” and even promised pardons for those convicted if he is re-elected. This narrative, which paints the events differently, challenges the rule of law and raises serious questions about America’s ability to uphold democratic principles in a time of growing political division.

This stance defies legal norms and underscores his broader attempt to undermine trust in democratic institutions. As former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann puts it, Trump’s threats of pardons show how “the rule of law is in deep peril.” For Trump and his supporters, revisiting January 6 serves to unify their base around a shared cause: to correct what they see as a grave injustice.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, as the current Vice President and the highest-ranking woman of color in U.S. history, offers a stark contrast. She has consistently condemned the attack, framing it as an assault on democracy that must never be forgotten. For her, this election is about much more than just policies—it’s about preserving the nation’s soul and its democratic values against the threat of authoritarianism.

Harris’s campaign strategy highlights her commitment to protecting voting rights, upholding the rule of law, and holding those accountable for the January 6 attack. She is expected to press Trump on his role in inciting the insurrection, his plans to pardon the rioters, and his ongoing attacks on democratic institutions. Her position is further strengthened by ongoing investigations into Trump’s actions around January 6, including a recent indictment from Special Counsel Jack Smith, which alleges that Trump tried to exploit the Capitol violence to delay certifying the 2020 election results. Harris aims to use these legal developments to highlight her opponent’s disregard for the rule of law and the dangers of his potential return to power.

A Referendum on Democracy

The 2024 election is shaping up to be more than just a choice between two candidates; it is a referendum on the future of American democracy. January 6 is not just a date in the past; it is a measure of how far the country has come—or failed to come—in confronting the extremism that fueled that day’s violence. The stakes could not be higher. While Trump’s defiance of democratic norms directly challenges the country’s foundational principles, Harris positions herself as the defender of those ideals, arguing that the election is a choice between democratic continuity and a slide toward authoritarianism.

The impact of January 6 reaches beyond political lines. It’s a moment for American voters to reflect on their values and decide what kind of country they want to be. As Alvaro de Cozar noted in his podcast, the insurrection is not just a national story but a global one, witnessed with horror and disbelief worldwide. For immigrants like Aquilino Gonell, who risked everything for the American dream, January 6 was a betrayal of the nation’s highest ideals. The question now is whether those ideals can be reclaimed or if the forces unleashed on that day will continue to shape the future of American democracy.

As the 2024 election approaches, the relevance of January 6 must be balanced. It represents a critical juncture in American history, challenging the nation to confront its democratic values and decide what kind of country it wants to be. Trump’s continued insistence on reframing the events of January 6 and his pledges to pardon those convicted raise serious concerns about his commitment to the rule of law. In contrast, Kamala Harris positions her campaign as a defense of democratic principles and a commitment to uphold the Constitution.