The Blubber

Four years after a mob stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to support Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to overturn his 2020 election defeat, the events of January 6, 2021, have become a political and cultural flashpoint — with little apparent political damage to the president-elect.

The attack initially drew bipartisan condemnation, but Trump has since embraced 2020 election denialism as a central part of his political identity. By minimizing the severity of the attack and denouncing the subsequent prosecutions, Trump strengthened loyalty among his base, which played a key role in securing his return to power for a second term.

As Trump prepares to re-enter the White House in two weeks, expectations are high for him to deliver on promises of swift pardons for over 1,000 individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol attack, as well as hundreds of others with pending cases. Early moves to grant clemency for January 6 defendants would signal how he intends to wield the presidency, potentially rewarding allies while, critics fear, targeting opponents.

This year’s January 6 election certification has been classified as a "national special security event" for the first time, according to the US Secret Service. This designation enables extensive federal, state, and local resources to be deployed for security.

Adding to the logistical challenges, a significant snowstorm is forecasted to hit Washington, DC. “We’ve got a big snowstorm coming to DC, and we encourage all of our colleagues: Do not leave town,” House Speaker Mike Johnson warned on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. “Whether we’re in a blizzard or not, we will be in that chamber ensuring this is done.”

To bolster security, Major General John C. Andonie, commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, announced that 500 soldiers would be on standby to assist with the certification process.

President Joe Biden, meanwhile, faced criticism from Trump after awarding Presidential Citizens Medals to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson on Thursday. Cheney and Thompson led the congressional panel that investigated the January 6 attack.

As part of efforts to finalize the public record of what Attorney General Merrick Garland has described as the largest federal investigation in US history, prosecutors in Washington have continued to announce arrests, focusing on individuals accused of assaulting law enforcement officers during the attack.

Simultaneously, a Justice Department special counsel recently concluded its investigation into two federal criminal cases against Trump, including one related to the 2020 election. The department's long-standing policy against prosecuting sitting presidents precluded any charges.