The second anniversary of the riots on Capitol Hill: The "hoodie bomber" has not yet been found, and the media laments that public opinion is still torn apart

　　[Global Times special correspondent in the United States and Germany Zheng Ke Aoki Global Times special correspondent Wang Yi] January 6 is the second anniversary of the riots on Capitol Hill in 2021.

Two years ago, the scene of thousands of Trump supporters storming the Capitol shocked the world; two years later, this is still a thorn in American politics.

The US "Politics News Network" stated that when the Republicans in the Federal House of Representatives were arguing endlessly for the position of speaker, this year's date "coincides with Biden's moment of political opportunity."

Biden will hold a ceremony at the White House to award medals to 12 "citizens who have made outstanding contributions to American democracy" and deliver a speech to the nation, warning that American democracy is still on the cutting edge.

According to reports, in the two years since the riots on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of Justice has conducted the largest investigation operation since its establishment. More than 950 people were arrested and prosecuted, and this number continues to grow.

Of particular concern is whether the Justice Department will prosecute Trump and his aides for their role in the unrest.

"For two years, a narrative that compares the United States to a sick person has dominated the discussion." The website of the Council on Foreign Relations said on the 5th, "Currently, the sick person in the United States is still plagued by chronic diseases-polarization, dysfunction, and Key state institutions are not trusted."

　　The police strengthened their vigilance, and Biden will honor 12 people

　　According to a CNN report on the 5th, the Capitol Hill police are stepping up their vigilance and will deploy response teams outside the Capitol and the Supreme Court where protests may occur, and monitor online reports of planned protests on January 6. discussion.

In addition, the Capitol Hill police are also coordinating with law enforcement agencies in surrounding jurisdictions. The Washington, DC police will dispatch a riot response team on the 6th.

　　The American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) quoted White House officials on the 5th as saying that President Biden will report to the police who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, the election staff who resigned under threats from the right, and the refusal on the afternoon of the 6th local time. Twelve people, including several state and local officials who overturned the results of the 2020 election, were awarded the Presidential Citizenship Medal.

"To commemorate the second anniversary of the Capitol riots, Biden will hold a ceremony at the White House during which he will deliver remarks and award the Presidential Citizenship Medal to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to our democracy on or about January 6, 2021," the official said. "These 12 heroes have demonstrated courage and selflessness in a time of peril for the nation. They include Capitol Hill police, the Metropolitan Police, election workers, and officials at the state and local levels."

　　The Associated Press stated that the Presidential Citizens Medal was created by President Nixon in 1969 and is the second-class civilian honor in the United States after the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"Political News Network" stated that on January 6, a year ago, Biden visited the Capitol and strongly condemned Trump and his allies for "holding a dagger on the throat of the United States" and spreading lies about the election.

"This year's date coincides with Biden's moment of political opportunity." He will deliver a national address warning that American democracy is still on the cutting edge and Republican activism has not disappeared.

　　According to CNN, according to the US Department of Justice, four people were killed in the riots on Capitol Hill, including the rioter Ashley Babbitt who was shot and killed by Capitol Police, two people who suffered a heart attack and one who died of taking drugs. overdose people.

In addition, some 140 police officers were injured that day, and five died in the months following the riots -- four committed suicide and one died of a stroke the next day.

The policeman's family filed a lawsuit against Trump in court on the 5th.

　　Over 950 people arrested, 'hoodie bomber' still missing

　　The "Washington Post" editorial on the 5th stated that two years after the riots on Capitol Hill, more than 950 people related to it were arrested, and the conviction rate of the Department of Justice was "nearly perfect."

According to the "New York Times" data, 18 of them were charged with conspiracy to riot, and they were all members of the American far-right organizations "Oath Keeper" and "Proud Boys"; 284 were charged with assaulting or resisting the police; 295 accused of obstructing a formal process of Congress.

Most of the charges brought so far have been minor offenses with a maximum sentence of six months in prison, with many defendants receiving only a few weeks in jail, or no jail time at all.

Last September, former New York City police officer Thomas Webster was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assaulting officers with a flagpole at the Capitol, the heaviest sentence to date in the Capitol Hill riots.

　　Reports in the US media all said that although the Department of Justice has conducted the largest investigation since its establishment, it is still far from complete, and dozens or even hundreds of people will face charges in the future.

According to the Washington Post, the FBI is still unable to identify about 350 people who committed acts of violence at the Capitol, including more than 250 people who allegedly attacked the police that day.

Most worryingly, the "hoodie bomber" who planted bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the riots is still at large.

The FBI recently announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to this person.

The impunity of the "hoodie bomber" is a symbol of a greater threat to the United States two years later, the report said.

　　US marks Jan. 6 with 'opposition'

　　"The United States is marked by confrontation to commemorate the darkest days in history." "Palm Beach Post" said on the 6th that a recent poll found that more than 80% of Americans believe that American democracy is seriously threatened, but there are reasons. Serious partisan divides.

Asked which party posed the greater threat, 42 percent of respondents pointed the finger at Democrats, 41 percent blamed Republicans and 8 percent blamed both chambers.

　　The British "Guardian" stated on the 5th that as the second anniversary of the unprecedented Capitol Hill riots approached, the U.S. Capitol was once again in chaos. He also opposed the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, McCarthy, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The impasse over the speaker's difficult delivery has rendered the House so dysfunctional that lawmakers have been unable to even formally take the oath of office.

　　But there are also some more optimistic views.

The website of the Council on Foreign Relations issued an article on the 5th stating that two years after the riots on Capitol Hill, the ability of the US system to overcome the most severe challenges has quietly been demonstrated.

Democracy prevails in the 2022 midterm elections.

Republicans are moving away from Trump.

Trump's recent announcement of his candidacy for the presidency was underwhelming.

NBC quoted Linda Fowler, a professor at Dartmouth College, as saying, "The country is certainly not out of the woods." Some Republicans on the Hill".

　　(Source: Global Times Author: Zheng Ke Aoki Wang Yi)