Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) shared the experience he had with rioters during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
While delivering remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer said, “I was within 30 feet of these nasty, racist, bigoted insurrectionists. Had someone had a gun, had two of them blocked off the door, who knows what would have happened. I was told later that one of them reportedly said, ‘There’s the big Jew. Let’s get him.'”
“I was within 30 feet of these nasty, racist, bigoted insurrectionists .. I was told later that one of them reportedly said ‘There’s the big Jew, let’s get him.’”
— The Recount (@therecount) January 6, 2022
— Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on 1/6 anniversary pic.twitter.com/xQbZHdDFrS
He continued, “Bigotry against one is bigotry against all. And I saw something that I had been told later never happened before, the Confederate flag flying in this dear Capitol. That’s just one of many searing, grotesque images of that unimaginable, most un-American day.”
According to NPR, more than 725 people have been arrested for their role in the riot. At least 165 have pleaded guilty to charges.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a speech Wednesday, “The Justice Department remains committed to holding all Jan. 6 perpetrators, at any level, accountable under law — whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally responsible for the assault on our democracy.”
He added, “We will follow the facts wherever they lead.”
President Joe Biden argued while delivering remarks democracy was “attacked” that day.
He went on, “The will of the people was under assault, the Constitution — our Constitution — faced the gravest of threats. Outnumbered in the face of a brutal attack, the Capitol police, the DC Metropolitan Police Department, the National Guard and other brave law enforcement officials saved the rule of law. Our democracy held. We the people endured. We the people prevailed.”
The president vowed to “defend this nation,” adding, “And I will allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of democracy.”