WASHINGTON – On January 6, 2021, a mob of rioters, incited by Donald Trump’s unwillingness to acknowledge his election defeat, violently invaded the U.S. Capitol in a bid to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

Fast forward to now, Congress is scheduled to meet on Monday to officially certify Trump’s 2024 victory, following the same established constitutional procedure.

From those who stormed the Capitol to the legislators who were under siege, as well as former Trump supporters and the president-elect, many people connected to the January 6 riot are still facing repercussions from that fateful day four years ago.

Many have documented their experiences, with some publishing books, while others have radically shifted their political views. Tragically, four individuals lost their lives that day, and over 140 law enforcement officers sustained injuries.

“Everything I’ve done following January 6 is a direct result of that day,” stated Harry Dunn, a former police officer who defended lawmakers during the assault, in an interview with YSL News.

Capitol Police Officer Becomes Public Advocate

Dunn, who served on the Capitol Police force for over ten years, resigned in December 2023. He subsequently ran for Congress in Maryland but lost in the Democratic primary.

He stands among a number of officers who have bravely shared their traumatic experiences, including during congressional hearings, and have voiced their opposition to Trump’s reelection.

“We did everything we could. I know I did. Using a football analogy, I left it all on the field,” Dunn remarked.

“I’m not claiming that my experience outweighs the will of the American people, but I accept that this is the America we live in, one that tolerates such actions,” Dunn reflected on Trump’s anticipated victory in 2024.

Dunn, author of a memoir titled “Standing My Ground,” expressed that the events of four years ago altered his life significantly.

“I truly wish I were still a police officer. If it weren’t for January 6, I would still be serving and protecting my country at the U.S. Capitol,” he lamented.

Although he did not win the primary against Representative-elect Sarah Elfreth, Dunn remains committed to using his voice for change. “I feel like I made my impact; I did what I could as an officer, and now it’s time for my next challenge, which is defending democracy.”

Many Rioters Now Serving Time

Over a thousand individuals face charges and have been sentenced due to their involvement in the Capitol riot.

Among them is Jacob Chansley, known as the “QAnon Shaman,” who became a recognizable figure of the January 6 incident for his distinctive horned headdress and face paint. He received one of the longest sentences given to a Capitol rioter.

Chansley pleaded guilty to a felony obstruction charge in September 2021, resulting in a 41-month prison sentence. He was released early in March 2023.

“The toughest part of all this is that I know I’m at fault,” Chansley, also known as Jacob Angeli, told the court.

Until May, Chansley was residing with his mother under supervision, as revealed in a motion filed by his attorney. In August, a federal judge directed prosecutors to return his notable headdress and spear.

Despite admitting guilt in 2021, in a December 30 podcast with the Rand Paul Review, Chansley claimed that the rioters were manipulated. “What you witness bears the marks of the deep state throughout this event,” he stated.

Chansley’s lawyer, William Shipley, did not respond to requests for comment.

Congressman says it wasn’t an insurrection

Rep. Andrew Clyde stirred controversy less than five months after the riot when he told a House hearing that “it was not an insurrection, and we cannot call it that and be truthful.”

While acknowledging that “rioters” and a “disorderly mob” gained entry to the Capitol—he assisted in barricading the House chamber doors—the Georgia Republican mentioned that others who entered the building acted appropriately and with respect.

“If you didn’t know the footage was from January 6, you’d think it was just a normal tourist visit,” he remarked.

This drew criticism from then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose office was entered that day by someone wielding a stun gun: “It was beyond denial,” she remarked. “What he said was disturbing.”

Clyde has voiced concerns for the civil liberties of those arrested related to January 6, who are detained in a Washington, D.C. jail awaiting trial or plea deals for minor charges. Last June, he praised a Supreme Court decision that might reverse a felony obstruction charge for many rioters.

The decision was a “remarkable victory,” he commented in a social media update.

A representative for Clyde, who defeated his Democratic opponent in November, was not available for comment.

Ex-convict becomes Democratic spokesperson

Pamela Hemphill, 71, admitted guilt and served time for her involvement in the Capitol disturbance. Since then, she has publicly condemned Trump, voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, and referred to January 6, 2021, as “the worst day in our history.”

Previously, Hemphill had voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020, drawn to his tough stance on immigration and encouraged by her mostly Republican family. The Idaho resident attended Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally four years ago and entered the Capitol with other MAGA supporters.

She received a two-month jail sentence, 36 months of probation, and a $500 fine for one misdemeanor charge of demonstrating or parading in the Capitol.

“It’s like a mark I will carry for the rest of my life,” Hemphill stated in August.

Following Trump’s victory in 2024, Hemphill expressed feeling “extremely depressed,” but remains dedicated to opposing him as a speaker for the Democratic party.

“My aim is to visit every state, share my story about leaving the MAGA cult, and discuss how we can move forward and resist it,” Hemphill shared with YSL News.

Ex-Trump Officials Become Detractors

The events of January 6, 2021, shook the Trump administration, leading some members to distance themselves from the former president afterward.

Among those who changed their stance were former White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin and ex-aide Cassidy Hutchinson.

Hutchinson gained prominence as a key witness for the House select committee investigating January 6, 2021, following her explosive testimony in June 2022 where she claimed that Trump was aware of the potential for violence that day and tried to join his supporters at the Capitol.

She has authored a memoir titled “Enough,” about her experiences on January 6, and continues to express her opposition to Trump in various interviews and public appearances.

Hutchinson and fellow conservative Farah Griffin have announced their intention to vote for Harris in the upcoming 2024 election.

Farah Griffin has established herself as a co-host on the talk show “The View” and serves as a political commentator for CNN.

Donald Trump: The Comeback Kid

The tides have turned significantly for Donald Trump, the former president now back in the spotlight.

Four years ago, on January 6, Trump was considered a lame duck with just a few weeks of presidency left, clinging to unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.

Today, Trump is gearing up for a potential return to the Oval Office, buoyed by a decisive victory and a Republican majority in Congress. Recent federal charges alleging he attempted to overturn the 2020 election results have been dismissed, and an election conspiracy case in Georgia is faltering.

“We made history for a reason tonight, and that reason is that we overcame obstacles that many thought were insurmountable,” Trump stated in his victory speech in November. “It’s clear that we’ve achieved something remarkable in politics.”

“Just look at what has transpired. Can you believe it?”