WASHINGTON – On January 6, 2021, a violent mob, incited by Donald Trump’s refusal to concede his loss, invaded the U.S. Capitol in a bid to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, which halted the ceremonial counting of the Electoral College votes.

As Congress prepares to meet on Monday to officially confirm Trump’s 2024 electoral victory, the aftermath of that fateful day continues to resonate.

From the rioters who stormed the Capitol to the lawmakers who were confined inside, and including Trump’s associates and the new president-elect, many individuals affected by the January 6 incident still deal with its consequences.

Several have penned books detailing their experiences, while others have radically changed their political views. Four individuals lost their lives that day, and over 140 police officers sustained injuries.

“Every action I have taken since January 6 traces back to that day,” shared Harry Dunn, a former Capitol police officer who defended lawmakers during the assault.

Ex-Capitol Police Officer Becomes Public Advocate

Harry Dunn worked for the Capitol Police for over ten years before leaving his position in December 2023. He attempted to run for Congress in Maryland but lost in the Democratic primary.

Dunn is one of many officers who have publicly shared their trauma, speaking out during congressional hearings and advising against Trump’s reelection.

“I truly believe we did all that was possible. I gave it my all; it’s like leaving everything on the field in football,” Dunn expressed.

“It’s not for me to claim my experience outweighs the will of the American people, but I’ve come to accept the nature of this country, where such behavior is tolerated,” Dunn reflected on Trump’s 2024 electoral success.

Dunn, who authored a memoir titled “Standing My Ground,” stated that the events of four years ago dramatically altered his life.

“I honestly wish I was still a police officer. Had January 6 not occurred, I would be protecting my country at the Capitol right now,” he lamented.

Despite losing the primary to Representative-elect Sarah Elfreth, Dunn remains committed to advocating for democracy. “I feel I made my mark as a police officer, and now I’m embracing my next challenge, which is safeguarding our democracy.”

Jailed Rioters, Including the ‘QAnon Shaman’

Over a thousand individuals have faced charges and penalties due to their involvement in the Capitol riot.

Jacob Chansley, known as the “QAnon Shaman” and often seen as a symbol of the January 6 assault because of his horned hat and face paint, received one of the harshest sentences among the rioters.

After admitting guilt to a felony obstruction charge in September 2021, Chansley was sentenced to 41 months in prison but was released a few months ahead of schedule in March 2023.

“The toughest part is knowing it’s my fault,” Chansley, also called Jacob Angeli, expressed during his court appearance.

By last May, Chansley was residing with his mother under supervised release, as stated in a motion from his lawyer. In August, a federal judge directed the return of Chansley’s well-known headdress and spear.

Despite admitting guilt in 2021, during a December 30 podcast with the Rand Paul Review, Chansley claimed that the rioters were influenced by outside forces. “The signs of a deep state are everywhere in this situation,” he remarked.

Chansley’s attorney, William Shipley, did not provide comments when contacted.

Congressman claims it wasn’t an insurrection

In a House hearing less than five months after the riot, Rep. Andrew Clyde sparked controversy by stating, “It was not an insurrection, and claiming it that way isn’t honest.”

While Clyde acknowledged that “rioters” and a “disorderly mob” entered the Capitol—having helped barricade the doors to the House chamber—he contended that others who went inside acted appropriately and showed respect.

“If you weren’t aware that the footage was from January 6th, you would think it was just a routine tourist visit,” he claimed.

This remark led to criticism from then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose office had been invaded by an armed individual that day: “It’s beyond denial,” she responded. “It’s in the realm of the absurd.”

Clyde has shown concern for the rights of January 6 defendants detained in a Washington, DC jail as they await trials or agreements on minor charges, and he praised a Supreme Court decision last June that might reverse a felony obstruction charge affecting numerous riot defendants.

He labeled the ruling a “massive triumph” in a social media message.

A spokesperson for Clyde, who won decisively against his Democratic opponent in November, has not yet responded to inquiries.

Former rioter becomes Democratic spokesperson

Pamela Hemphill, 71, admitted guilt and served a sentence for her involvement in the Capitol riot. Since then, she has openly criticized Trump, voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, and branded January 6, 2021, “the worst day in American history.”

Hemphill voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020, influenced by his tough stance on immigration and her largely Republican family. The Idaho resident participated in Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, joining other supporters in storming the Capitol.

She was sentenced to two months in jail, 36 months of probation, and fined $500 for one count of demonstrating unlawfully in the Capitol building.

“It’s a burden I will carry for life,” Hemphill remarked in August.

After Trump’s 2024 victory, she expressed feelings of “extreme depression” but is now committed to opposing him as a spokesperson for the Democratic Party.

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

Ex-Trump Staffers Become Detractors

The events of January 6, 2021, caused significant upheaval within Trump’s circle, leading some White House staff members to distance themselves from him afterward.

Among those who turned against Trump were Alyssa Farah Griffin, the former White House communications director, and Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide.

Hutchinson became a key witness for the House committee looking into the January 6 events, giving explosive testimony in June 2022. She claimed that Trump was aware of potential violence that day and tried to join his supporters at the Capitol.

Having authored her own memoir titled “Enough” regarding January 6, Hutchinson has remained vocal in her opposition to Trump, participating in interviews and public events.

Both she and Farah Griffin, who identifies as a conservative, have declared their intention to vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

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

Donald Trump: The Comeback Kid

The tides have turned dramatically for Trump, who has transitioned from former president back to a contender for the presidency.

On January 6, four years ago, Trump was a lame duck president, with mere weeks until the end of his term, still propagating unfounded allegations of voter fraud.

Now, he is on track to reclaim the Oval Office, buoyed by a substantial triumph and a Republican-majority Congress. Legal charges against him related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election result have been dropped, and the conspiracy case in Georgia is faltering.

“We made history tonight for a reason, and that is that we faced challenges that seemed insurmountable,” Trump stated in his victory speech in November. “It’s evident now that we accomplished something remarkable politically.”

“Can you believe what transpired?”