A Harrowing Account: The Violence of January 6th Captured

Tue Dec 23 2025 18:48:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An excerpt from Mary Clare Jalonick's 'Storm at the Capitol' provides a chilling oral history of the events of January 6th, as riotous supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, juxtaposed with the experiences of police officers and staff amid the chaos.

In 'Storm at the Capitol: An Oral History of January 6th', Mary Clare Jalonick recounts the violence and chaos that erupted on January 6, 2021, through firsthand accounts of Capitol Police, rioters, and lawmakers. The narrative reveals the brutal struggles faced by law enforcement trying to protect the Capitol during an unprecedented attack by those believing in false claims of a stolen election. Amid the brutal hand-to-hand combat, we see the humanity of officers risking their lives and calling for help as they confronted a violent mob escalating in aggression. This excerpt captures the desperation, fear, and overwhelming chaos that marked the day.

WASHINGTON (AP) — This is an exclusive excerpt adapted from “Storm at the Capitol: An Oral History of January 6th” by Associated Press reporter Mary Clare Jalonick. The book is based on personal interviews, testimony, court documents, and other public sources to provide a comprehensive view of the events surrounding the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

Jalonick chronicles the experiences of rioters, police officers, lawmakers, and staff during the tumultuous hours of the Capitol storming, showing how many rioters acted on Trump's unfounded claims of a stolen election despite clear electoral validation from all 50 states.

This excerpt begins during the peak of the conflict at 4 p.m. on January 6, amid the chaos at various entrances of the Capitol. As rioters clashed with police, one officer, Brian Sicknick, had already been assaulted with pepper spray, anticipating violence to unfold the night before.

Through a series of harrowing firsthand accounts, the struggle of law enforcement emerges as they desperately attempt to maintain the Capitol's integrity. Officer Michael Fanone recalls the brutality in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, where officers battled against overwhelming numbers of rioters in a narrow space.

The testimony illustrates the intense physical combat, making it clear that many officers were injured and exhausted yet stood their ground, some recounting how they were attacked and nearly overpowered by the brutal onslaught. The narrative captures the raw fear and determination to protect democracy against insurmountable odds.

As the violence escalated, officers like Daniel Hodges and Aquilino Gonell shared moments of profound peril, fearing for their lives while trying to fend off rioters who were intent on breaching key entrances to the legislative heart of the United States.

The tragedy peaked with the sad demise of Officer Brian Sicknick, who succumbed to injuries inflicted during the riot, raising the specter of sacrifice amid a day that would forever stain American history.

As Jalonick’s narrative unfolds, her insightful documentation serves as a potent reminder of the day’s complexities, illustrating how the social fabric was tested and revealing the true cost of the violence that erupted at the Capitol.