Statement from the Redefining Freedom Center of Virginia
January 6, 2026
Five years ago today, our nation witnessed an unprecedented assault on the United States Capitol—a violent attempt to overturn a lawful election and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. January 6th stands as one of the most sobering moments in modern American history, not because our democracy failed, but because it was tested from within.
At the Redefining Freedom Center of Virginia, we believe this day must never be minimized, rewritten, or forgotten. What occurred was an attack on the rule of law, on constitutional order, and on the shared civic norms that bind a free people together across differences. We honor the U.S. Capitol Police and law enforcement officers who defended our institutions at great personal cost. We also acknowledge the lasting damage—to trust, to truth, and to our national fabric—that this moment exposed.
Five years later, America remains deeply divided. Too many citizens feel disconnected from one another, distrustful of institutions, and cynical about democracy itself. That reality makes the lessons of January 6th even more urgent—not less. Democracies do not collapse overnight. They erode when norms are disregarded, when violence is excused, and when loyalty to power replaces loyalty to principle.
As our nation enters its 250th year, this moment calls us to reflection and responsibility. The American experiment has endured for nearly two and a half centuries not because it is perfect, but because each generation has been willing to defend it, reform it, and recommit to it. Freedom requires more than rights; it demands restraint, truth, civic courage, and respect for the peaceful transfer of power.
In this milestone year, we must say clearly and collectively: nothing like January 6th can ever be allowed to happen again. Not through violence. Not through lies. Not through the corrosion of democratic norms. Our future depends on a renewed commitment to constitutional governance, civic education, and the hard work of building bridges rather than tearing institutions down.
The Redefining Freedom Center exists to help meet this moment—to educate, to convene, and to reimagine what freedom requires in the 21st century. As we approach America’s 250th birthday, we recommit ourselves to defending democracy, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring that freedom remains something we share, not something we weaponize against one another.
History will judge not only what happened on January 6th—but what we chose to do after it.
