6 MONTHS SINCE JAN. 6
By Lisa Desjardins, @LisaDNews
Correspondent
For years, I’ve been secretly unsure, even cantankerous, about the one-month, six-month and one-year reflection stories. They can be absolutely important for how we all process history. They present an opportunity.
But they also can be a dubious construct of journalism -- bundling up an ongoing and complicated story into a neat check-in on one particular day.
I thought about this today. But in the end, as we sit here, six months from the attack on the U.S. Capitol, it does feel opportune to look back -- and to be true to the HTD mission of giving depth in a brief form. Here is a look at some numbers that tell us a bit about the attack, the arrests, the investigations underway and security at the U.S. Capitol today.
Days since Jan. 6: 181
Arrests so far: More than 535, per the Department of Justice.
That means: An average of about three arrests per day, every day since Jan. 6.
What are the charges? The Department of Justice put out a new breakdown today.
- 165 people have been charged with assaulting, impeding or otherwise harming police.
- 6 people have been charged with assaulting or harming journalists.
- 40 people have been charged with conspiring and planning to obstruct the election certification or to obstruct or harm law enforcement.
- 235 people have been charged with actually carrying that out -- that is, obstructing or trying to obstruct the election certification.
- 55 people face charges for using a dangerous or deadly weapon on Capitol grounds or inside the building.
- 35 are charged with destroying government property.
- Almost 30 are accused of stealing government property.
- Nearly everyone, some 495 people, has been charged with improperly entering the Capitol.
Pleas: Of that large group, just 10 so far have pleaded guilty.
Still wanted: At least 300 suspects.
Who are they? The people in these photos and videos posted by the FBI.
Also still wanted: Information about who planted the pipe bombs at the Democratic and Republican National Headquarters, not far from the Capitol, on Jan. 6.
Hours the Capitol was under attack and being cleared: Roughly seven.
Hours Congress stayed in session immediately after the attack: Five hours and 18 minutes.
National Guard troops ultimately deployed: 26,000
Troops returned home by: Mid-May.
Fencing around the Capitol: Is to be taken down this week.
Democrats’ request for new security improvements: $1.9 billion
Amount of security improvements funding so far: $0
FIVE OVERLOOKED POLITICAL STORIES FROM THE PAST WEEK
By Ian Couzens, @iancouzenz & Alex D’Elia, @AlexDElia95
Politics production assistant & associate producer
After a nightmare year, election officials are quitting - July 2. In a recent survey, one in three election officials said they do not feel safe in their jobs.
Why it matters: The concern over nonpartisan election experts leaving their roles comes at a time when two-thirds of Americans believe democracy is under threat, according to the latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll. -- The New York Times
The most complete picture yet of America’s changing electorate - July 1. The Atlantic’s Ron Brownstein looked through recent studies about how America votes and reached some key conclusions about each party: Republican core groups are shrinking, but the party’s hold over them is tightening, while Democrats win about three-fifths of Millennial and Gen-Z votes.
Why it matters: The studies paint a consistent picture that gives both Republicans and Democrats reason for optimism and concern. As a result, Brownstein braces his reader for more years of political warfare. -- The Atlantic
Asian American voting grows in Georgia, and with it, political power - July 2. Voter participation among Asian American and Pacific Islanders rose in Georgia by more than 80 percent from 2016 to 2020.
Why it matters: Republicans and Democrats alike are reaching out to this growing and key voting bloc, as a number of Asian American voters say they care more about policy than party, and remind politicians that they are not a monolith. -- Atlanta Journal Constitution
‘Rampant issues’: Black farmers are still left out at USDA - July 5. This POLITICO analysis found that Black farmers were denied Agriculture Department loans at higher rates than any other group in 2020.
Why it matters: 1. This shows discrimination in farming is happening in real time, not just in the past. 2. How federal programs - such as USDA lending - treat Black farmers and other groups of color will test President Joe Biden’s broader pledge to combat racial discrimination. -- POLITICO
Harsher rioting penalties, a new state snack: These new Indiana laws go into effect July 1 - June 30. Indiana passed several laws in response to 2020 events, including an increase in penalties for rioting, limitations on police use of chokeholds, and punishment for police officers who turn off their body cameras to hide crimes.
Why it matters: Numerous new state laws went into effect on July 1 across the country, like the abolishment of the death penalty in Virginia and the prevention of COVID-19 “passports” in Florida. -- The Indianapolis Star
#POLITICSTRIVIA
By Tess Conciatori, @tkconch
Politics associate producer
Former President George W. Bush turns 77 years old today -- happy birthday! Raised in Midland and Houston, the 43rd president is a proud Texan whose political career originated in the Lone Star State. But despite putting roots down in Texas, he was actually born in Connecticut.
Our question: What Connecticut city was former President George W. Bush born in on this day 77 years ago?
Send your answers to [email protected] or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shout-out next week.
Last week, we asked: Can you name the first four federally declared holidays?
The answer: Fourth of July, Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving were all deemed federal holidays on June 28, 1870, in an effort to standardize existing holidays and allow for guaranteed paid time off for workers.
Congratulations to our winners: Sarah Bornstein and Jim Bryden!
Thank you all for reading and watching. We’ll drop into your inbox next week.
