Skip to content

Jan. 6, 2021: In their own words

Political Theater, Episode 233

Security barricades the door of the House chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, as pro-Trump rioters disrupt the joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College vote. Reps. Troy Nehls of Texas, blue shirt, and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, right, are also pictured.
Security barricades the door of the House chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, as pro-Trump rioters disrupt the joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College vote. Reps. Troy Nehls of Texas, blue shirt, and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, right, are also pictured. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

For people just trying to do their jobs on Jan. 6, 2021, there wasn’t a lot of time to think. But bearing witness then and reflecting on it now are as important as ever at a time when the republic is so fragile.

On this edition of the Political Theater podcast, three CQ Roll Call journalists look back on their coverage of the attack on the Capitol and what’s changed since then on Capitol Hill.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

Flock cameras controversy set for Senate hearing

‘Some months, you don’t even have to come to work’ — Congressional Hits and Misses

Pentagon’s latest Iran war cost estimate: $43.6 billion

In a ‘very hard’ year for women in Congress, at least there’s still softball

Photos of the week | September 12-18, 2026

Before the final midterm whistle, Senate spends time on sports