By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General and the Archivist of the United States to investigate the DOJ’s removal of its January 6th database, which detailed Capitol attack prosecutions. CREW alleges this action violates 44 U.S.C. § 3106, requiring notification to the Archivist of record destruction. The database’s removal, seemingly connected to President Trump’s pardons, has been celebrated by some January 6th defendants but criticized as an attempt to erase evidence. CREW argues the database is a federal record whose deletion requires reporting, which the DOJ seemingly failed to do.
Read the original article here
The apparent deletion of a January 6th database by the Trump administration raises serious concerns about a potential violation of federal law, according to a watchdog group. This action seems to be part of a broader effort to erase the events of that day, minimizing the severity of the insurrection and shielding those involved from accountability.
The scale of the attempted erasure is alarming. This isn’t just about a few minor incidents; the January 6th attack involved extensive damage to the Capitol building, costing millions of dollars in repairs. Over 140 police officers were assaulted, suffering physical and psychological trauma, including several deaths and suicides in the aftermath. The violence was brutal and targeted, with rioters employing various weapons, including firearms and tasers, against law enforcement officials. One officer, Michael Fanone, was viciously attacked and severely injured, a testament to the savagery of the day.
The pardon of many of the rioters, including leaders of extremist groups, further fuels the perception of an attempt to whitewash history. Many of those pardoned engaged in extreme violence, vandalism, and property theft. Trump’s characterization of these actions as “very minor incidents” is demonstrably false and deeply offensive to the victims and those who defended the Capitol that day.
Furthermore, the narrative pushed by some Republicans that the January 6th investigation was a “politicized witch hunt” rings hollow. Their initial opposition to a bipartisan commission and subsequent accusations of a political vendetta only serve to further obfuscate their own attempts to undermine the investigation’s findings. The threat of investigating and potentially jailing members of the January 6th committee showcases the extent of their efforts to retaliate against those who exposed the truth.
The claim that the rioters were merely “political hostages” is a blatant attempt to minimize the violent actions of those involved. Organized extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers actively participated in the attack, underscoring the premeditated and organized nature of the insurrection. The chants of “hang Mike Pence” further illustrate the gravity of the threat to democracy. These were not spontaneous acts of dissent; they were coordinated efforts to overturn the results of a democratic election.
The investigation revealed Trump’s central role in the events of January 6th. His months of promoting election lies, conspiracy theories, and inflammatory rhetoric created a climate conducive to violence. His inaction during the attack, choosing to remain passive for 187 minutes while the Capitol was under siege, points to a deliberate failure to prevent the violence and even complicity in it. Reports that Trump was aware of his supporters carrying weapons, yet actively encouraged their march to the Capitol, further underscores his culpability.
Attempts to shift blame to Nancy Pelosi, claiming she failed to provide adequate security, are demonstrably false. Records show Pelosi acted appropriately, approving requests for National Guard support and pushing for faster deployment despite bureaucratic delays. These scapegoating tactics, along with the dissemination of false flag narratives, are transparent attempts to deflect responsibility from Trump and his allies.
The Trump administration’s attempts to manipulate the historical record, including the apparent deletion of the database, are consistent with autocratic regimes that seek to control the narrative and suppress dissent. The evidence against Trump and his allies is overwhelming. The conspiracy to overturn the election, efforts to install loyalists within the Department of Justice, pressure on state officials to alter election results, and the creation of fake electors all point to a systematic effort to undermine democratic processes. This blatant disregard for the rule of law and the attempt to erase the events of January 6th pose a significant threat to American democracy. The question isn’t whether the deletion of the database violated federal law, but what, if anything, will be done to address this blatant attempt at historical revisionism. The lack of meaningful consequences for such actions only emboldens those who seek to undermine democratic institutions.