On Jan. 6 anniversary, calls Capitol rioters 'hostages' and praises 'patriots'

Speaking in Iowa on the third anniversary of the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, Trump defended the insurrectionists and called those serving prison sentences for their roles in the riot "hostages," continuing his pattern of rewriting the history of the violent assault. NBC News reported he characterized the participants as patriots acting peacefully, directly contradicting the extensive video evidence and law enforcement testimony about the violence that injured over 140 officers. The rhetoric came as he campaigned in Iowa just days before the caucuses, demonstrating his refusal to acknowledge responsibility for inciting the attack despite ongoing criminal prosecutions.