J6 Timeline

"Get smart Republicans. FIGHT!"

The post includes a quote post of Will Chamberlain's tweet, which reads:

"Republicans confirmed Justice Barrett, which they had the clear, lawful right to do, and in response Chuck Schumer said 'EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE NOW.'

If that's the case, why shouldn't Republican legislators go to the wall for the President?"

"If Vice President @Mike_Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency. Many States want to decertify the mistake they made in certifying incorrect & even fraudulent numbers in a process NOT approved by their State Legislatures (which it must be). Mike can send it back!"

"States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!"

In testimony and the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack report, aides testified that Trump was told Pence lacked that authority.

Though originally scheduled to speak at 11:00 AM, Trump took the stage at The Ellipse almost an hour later, at 12:00 PM.

Hosted by 'Women For America First,' this event was permitted for 30,000 attendees, but not for a march to the Capitol.

On multiple occasions prior to January 6, event organizers told officials at the Department of the Interior that there would be 'no march' to the Capitol from the rally at The Ellipse.

"...And after this, we’re going to walk down, and I’ll be there with you [...] We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them. Because you’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard."

Although a handful of supporters were already at the Capitol by the time of Trump's march announcement, a large wave of supporters from the area surrounding The Ellipse can be seen on CCTV beginning their march to the Capitol shortly after 12:15 PM.

One such supporter—Ryan Samsel of Pennsylvania—would play a key role in breaching police lines onto restricted Capitol grounds less than 40 minutes later.

While retrieving laundry, Capitol Hill resident Karlin Younger discovers a pipe bomb lying next to a dumpster in the alleyway behind the Capitol Hill Club and RNC.

USCP CCTV footage captures her running out of the alleyway, entering the Capitol Hill Club in an apparent effort to notify a security guard, and subsequently running back into the alleyway toward the pipe bomb.

Minutes later, Younger and an RNC security guard exit the alleyway. The security guard proceeds to show a USCP officer stationed at the intersection of 1st Street and C Street a picture of the pipe bomb.

The USCP officer immediately notifies USCP dispatch at 12:42 PM of a possible pipe bomb behind the Capitol Hill Club:

"I had the head of security of the Republican Club come up to me, and he has what it appears to be an explosive in ... the back of the building. Can you have some units respond?"

A large crowd gathered on the west side of the Capitol overruns a line of U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers positioned behind lightweight metal barricades (often described in court as “bike rack” barricades).

In court, 12:53 PM was significant because it established when the restricted area was actively defended and visibly breached, a key factor in determining defendants’ knowledge, intent, and the escalating nature of the event that ultimately led to the storming of the Capitol.

"Chief Sund asked for MPD’s assistance. Officers were immediately authorized to deploy to the west front of the Capitol and arrived within minutes. Additional officers were on standby at Third Street SW and Maryland Avenue SW." — MPD Chief Robert J. Contee

As rioters advance on the police line on the West Plaza, Trump supporter Benjamin Philips collapses near the Northwest Scaffold.

The D.C. chief medical examiner determined that Philips, 50, died of hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—a medical condition involving heart disease brought on by high blood pressure and artery hardening. The manner of death was ruled natural.

In the House Chamber, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) bangs the gavel to bring attention to House Sergeant at Arms, Paul D. Iriving, who announces the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence in the House chamber.

Vice President Mike Pence posts 3 pages (images) of his letter to Congress to Twitter, which ultimately states:

"When the Joint Session of Congress convenes today, I will do my duty to see to it that we open the certificates of the Electors of the several states, we hear objections raised by Senators and Representatives, and we count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws, and history. So Help Me God."

In the House Chamber, Speaker Pelosi bangs the gavel to call the joint session of Congress to order.

Members are assembled to carry out the constitutionally mandated count of Electoral College votes, marking the official start of debate and certification.

At 1:05 PM, one of the USCP CSU teams deployed into the surrounding area identified an explosive device next to a bench on the west side of the DNC. The team immediately notified MPD officers and U.S. Secret Service agents sitting inside nearby vehicles.

Two minutes later, one of the USCP CSU officers notified USCP dispatch of the pipe bomb at the DNC:

"10-100 at the DNC as well. A similar device that was found at the RNC as well. Advising...the units on the scene what’s going on."

USCP officers on the Lower West Terrace fire pepper ball and FN-303 less lethal munitions onto advancing rioters on the Upper West Plaza below.

Court testimony emphasized the need for less lethals as immediate officer safety and crowd control—creating distance, disrupting the most violent actors at the point of contact, and trying to re-establish a defensible line.

"So we’re going to, we’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue—I love Pennsylvania Avenue. And we’re going to the Capitol, and we’re going to try and give— The Democrats are hopeless, they're never vote for anything. Not even one vote. —But we’re going to try and give our Republicans—the weak ones because the strong ones don’t need any of our help— We’re going to try and give them the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country. So let’s walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. I want to thank you all. God bless you, and God bless America."

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (R) objects to his own state's electoral votes. Texas Rep. Ted Cruz (R) signs on to the objection.

Mike Pence, in his role as the presiding officer of the joint meeting of Congress: "The two Houses will withdraw from joint session. Each House will deliberate separately on the pending objection and report its decision back to the joint session. The Senate will now retire to its Chamber."

While on the phone with his wife, Trump supporter Kevin Greeson collapses on the Lower West Plaza.

The D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Kevin Greeson, 55, died of a natural cause—specifically hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (a form of heart disease) after suffering a heart attack.

For a number of years following the Capitol riot, pro-J6 organizations pushed the false narrative that Greeson had been killed by police grenades. CCTV footage of Greeson's collapse disproves that narrative.

MPD officers begin deploying CS blast-ball munitions into the growing crowd on the Capitol’s West Front.

The irritant grenades disperse tear gas to push rioters back from police lines as barriers fall and assaults intensify. The escalation follows mounting breaches along the West Plaza police line.

As rioters pressed closer to the building, USCP ordered the evacuation of the Capitol Complex.

This evacuation directive was part of broader efforts by USCP to move members and staff away from risk areas and to secure the building as law enforcement positions were being overrun—a point reflected in official timelines and later committee investigations into Capitol security and response failures.

Mayor Bowser asks Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy for additional National Guard forces, according to a Pentagon timeline intended to "memorialize the planning and execution efforts of the Department of Defense to address the Violent Attack at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021."

Chief Sund “indicated that there was a dire emergency on Capitol Hill and requested the immediate assistance of as many Guardsmen” as the D.C. National Guard could muster. By this time, the U.S. Capitol Police Board had not yet officially approved the request.

According to the testimony of Command Sergeant Major Michael F. Brooks, following this call, the DCNG initiates movement of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) from Andrews Airforce Base to the DC Armory. Soldiers that were already at the Armory were kitted with riot control gear.

After a few small breaches and mounting escalation along police lines, rioters along the Capitol's East perimeter—marked by lightweight metal barricades—overrun USCP officers and rush the East Steps of the Capitol.

As rioters pulled police barricades from the perimeter, officers attempt to fill those gaps to hold the line. Early clips of this were interpreted as police "removing barricades" and "inviting rioters in" rather than filling in the gaps created by rioters. CCTV released in the years following disproved that narrative.

A riot notice is played over a loudspeaker (LRAD) on the West Plaza:

"This area is now a restricted access area pursuant to D.C. Official Code 22-1307(b). All people must leave the area immediately. This order may subject you to arrest and may subject you to the use of a riot control agent or impact weapon."

At 2:09 PM, USCP Chief Steven A. Sund receives approval from the Capitol Police Board to request DC National Guard assistance from the Department of Defense.

At 2:10 PM, Chief Sund contacts Maj. Gen. Walker again “to request immediate assistance and stated 200 Guardsmen were needed and to send more if they are available.”

Rioters force entry into the U.S. Capitol on the building’s west side. After overwhelming police lines and smashing windows, members of the crowd use those windows as an entry point. The breach marks the first successful entry into the building, triggering lockdowns, evacuations, and a full suspension of the Electoral College certification proceedings.

Moments after climbing into the building through the windows broken out by fellow rioters Trump supporters Edward Kelley and Jarod Hughes force the Senate Wing door open from the inside.

[See CCTV 0102]

Vice President Mike Pence is evacuated from the Senate chamber by U.S. Secret Service agents. Officers quickly move him, his family, and senior staff through a rear exit and down a stairwell to a secure location inside the Capitol complex as security conditions rapidly deteriorate.

As Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) speaks on the Senate floor in support of the objection to Arizona's electoral votes, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)—the Presiding Officer in lieu of VP Pence's evacuation from the chamber—declares the Senate in recess:

"We will stand in recess until the call of the Chair."

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy instructs Maj. Gen. Walker to "standby."

According to Pentagon timelines and later congressional testimony, the Guard could not deploy without formal authorization. While officials worked through the approval chain (including Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller), DCNG units were directed to change posture, gather equipment, and be ready to deploy pending final approval.

Minutes after unlawfully entering the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door, brothers Gil and Asher Daniels—identified by OSINT researchers but never charged by the DOJ—initiate the Parliamentarian Door's delayed egress mechanism. After a ~15-second delay, the door automatically unlocks and is opened from the inside.

As a result, rioters stream into these now-open doors from the Northwest Courtyard.

[See CCTV 0689]

Amid news of rioters' breach of the interior of the Capitol, the Chair declares the House in recess:

"Without objection, the chair declares the House in recess pursuant to Clause 12B of Rule 1."

SECARMY phone call with D.C. Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Dr. Rodriguez, and MPD leadership to discuss the current situation and to request additional DCNG support. D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Director Dr. Christopher Rodriguez advises Maj. Gen. Walker that "U.S. Capitol building windows are being broken" and requests that D.C. National Guard members "report to the U.S. Capitol immediately."

"Capitol Staff: Due to a security threat inside the building, immediately: move inside your office or the nearest office. Take emergency equipment and visitors. Close, lock, and stay away from external doors and windows. If you are in a public space, find a place to hide or seek cover. Remain quiet and silence electronics. Once you are in a safe location, immediately check in with your OEC. No one will be permitted to enter or exit the building until directed by USCP. If you are in a building outside of the affected area, remain clear of the police activity, await further direction."

On Twitter, House Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) posts a condemnation of the violence against law enforcement at the Capitol:

"Violence against our brave law enforcement is not in line with our values as freedom loving Americans. I strongly support our rights to peacefully protest, but strongly condemn any acts of violence against our brave officers of the Capitol Police or others."

"Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!"

Trump supporter George Tenney—who first entered the Capitol unlawfully through the Senate Wing Door at 2:19PM—initiates the East Foyer Door's delayed egress mechanism, which, after a 15-second delay, unlocks the door and allows for it to be opened from the inside.

[See CCTV 0686, 7216, & 7029]

"Today, I'm ordering a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7."

After the delayed egress mechanism was triggered by Trump supporter Andrew J. Street at 2:26 PM, Trump supporter Chase Kelley exits the Capitol through the Upper West Terrace door.

As Kelley exits, rioters on the Upper West Terrace hold the door open for others to enter.

Outnumbered officers would be unable to secure these doors until 2:47 PM, as police reinforcements from the south side on the Upper West Terrace begin to push rioters northward.

[See CCTV 0126 & 0912]

Rioters on the West Plaza overrun police lines, forcing USCP and MPD officers to fall back to the stairways leading up to the Lower West Terrace. During this push, dozens of officers are assaulted by rioters.

John Banuelos—a Trump supporter from Illinois with a lengthy arrest record—pulls a revolver from his waistband while scaling the inaugural-stage scaffolding on the west side of the Capitol and fires two shots into the air.

Banuelos' Jan. 6 charges—including civil disorder, unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm on Capitol grounds, entering restricted grounds with a weapon, and other related offenses—were dismissed in January 2025 after a sweeping clemency and pardon initiative by President Donald Trump that applied to more than 1,500 J6 defendants.

"Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!"

By this time, violence at the Capitol had already been underway for well over an hour. The Capitol had been violently breached by his supporters, police were still being attacked, two were dead on restricted Capitol grounds, and the House chamber had yet to be fully evacuated.

Critics argue that by 2:38 PM, given the known breaches and violence, a direct instruction to leave was warranted but deliberately withheld.

Trump supporter Nathan C. Bordeaux—who unlawfully entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door at 2:13 PM—opens the Upper House Doors from inside the Capitol. A steady stream of rioters from the east side of the Capitol immediately begin entering through these doors.

[See CCTV 0264 & 0267]

Charged with assaulting officers and civil disorder, Bordeaux was arrested in early January 2025. He was one of the first rioters to breach the Capitol and went in and out of the building multiple times during the riot.

Days after his arrest, he was pardoned by newly-elected President Trump.

While attempting to climb through the smashed out window of a defensive barricade at the doors to the Speakers Lobby, Ashli Babbitt is shot and killed by USCP Officer Michael Byrd.

The lobby sits only feet from the entrance to the House chamber, making it a critical choke point shielding both the occupied chamber and an active evacuation route.

In an August 23, 2021 press release, the USCP's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) "determined the officer's conduct was lawful and within Department policy."

On Twitter, House Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) condemns the violence at the Capitol and praises the efforts of Capitol Police:

"Violence like what we’re witnessing in the United States Capitol is unacceptable.

People have the right to peacefully protest, and there is absolutely no reason to resort to destruction.

God bless the brave men and women of the United States Capitol Police for protecting us."

Colonel Earl G. Matthews claims that Secretary Miller gave the authority for the DCNG to go to the Hill. He claims that was not conveyed to DCNG Commanding General William J. Walker.

[See Earl G. Matthews' April 17, 2024 testimony before Congress]

In a post to Twitter accompanied by a video of Gallagher speaking direct-to-camera, House Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) condemns the violence at the Capitol and demands action:

"We are witnessing absolute banana republic crap in the United States Capitol right now. @realdonaldtrump, you need to call this off."

"I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!"

Despite advisors repeatedly pressing him to more forecefully quell the violence at the Capitol, Trump still refused to urge the crowd to disperse entirely.

In public testimony, former Special Counsel Jack Smith emphasized that Trump refused to stop the riot as it unfolded, requiring staff to push him to do more.

On Twitter, House Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) condemns the violence at the Capitol and demands that Trump take action:

"Mr. President - get to a microphone immediately and establish calm and order. Now. And work with Capitol Police to secure the Capitol. It’s the last thing you’ll do that matters as President. @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows"

"Capitol Staff: Due to a security threat inside the building, immediately: move inside your office or the nearest office. Take emergency equipment and visitors. Close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows. If you are in a public space, find a place to hide or seek cover. Remain quiet and silence electronics. Once you are in a safe location, immediately check in with your OEC."

After expelling a crowd of rioters from the interior of the Capitol, USCP manages to close the East Foyer doors, despite some of those rioters attempting to keep them open by force.

A Hard Platoon of roughly 40 DHS officers—deployed at 3:32pm—arrives on the south side of Capitol Grounds to provide support to USCP.

A Hard Platoon of roughly 50 Arlington County Police arrives on the south side of Capitol Grounds to provide support to USCP on the Lower West Terrace.

On Twitter, House Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) condemns the violence at the Capitol as she pleads with Trump to take action:

"This is un-American.

Mr. President, please do something.

Keep America safe. Enough.

Support our police.

This isn’t a protest. It’s anarchy.

I thought we were the party of law & order."

Rosanne Boyland, 34, is caught in a densely packed crowd as rioters violently surge against police in and around the Lower West Terrace tunnel—one of the day’s fiercest confrontation points.

Amid intense pushing and shoving as demonstrators try to force their way through the police line, Boyland collapses and is subsequently found unresponsive on the ground as the mob continues to press around her. Medical responders and fellow attendees attempt aid, but she does not regain consciousness.

Initial reports suggested she was trampled in the crush; the DC medical examiner later ruled her death an accidental amphetamine overdose.

"I know your pain, I know you're hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don't want anybody hurt. [...]

This was a fraudulent election, but we can't play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You're very special. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil.

I know how you feel, but go home, and go home in peace."

In a two-part post to Twitter, Mike Johnson (R-LA) condemns the violence at the Capitol:

"I unambiguously condemn in the strongest possible terms any and all forms of violent protest. Any individual who committed violence today should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. (1/2)"

"It is beyond time to remember that while we may disagree, we are all Americans, and there is far more that unites us than divides us. I extend my deepest thanks to the United States Capitol Police for protecting the Capitol complex today and all days. (2/2)"

The first DCNG elements depart the D.C. Armory en route to the Capitol, according to the official Pentagon timeline and congressional testimony.

"The DC National Guard was ready to help and assist Capitol Police, but we were not allowed to do our job due to paralyzed decision making by acting Secretary of Defense, Chris Miller, and Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy." — Captain Timothy Nick, in his April 17, 2024 testimony to Congress.

At 5:40 PM, 154 DCNG arrive at the Capitol, where they are sworn in with USCP and begin support operations.

On Twitter, House Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) posts a condemnation of the events at the Capitol:

"Americans support peaceful protests, First Amendment activity, and the men and women of law enforcement.

What happened today is wrong and is not what America is about."

"These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & peace. Remember this day forever!"

Around ~7:00 PM, Twitter removed this tweet along with a couple of other Trump posts from that day. The platform said the tweets violated its policies given the violent and chaotic situation unfolding at the Capitol.

USCP, MPD, and DCNG successfully establish a perimeter on the west side of the Capitol.

This marked a turning point in restoring order on the Capitol’s west side after hours of breach and confrontation.

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) issues a statement on the violence at the Capitol:

"...It’s past time for the president to accept the results of the election, quit misleading the American people, and repudiate mob violence. And the senators and representatives who fanned the flames by encouraging the president and leading their supporters to believe that their objections could reverse the election results should withdraw those objections. In any event, the Congress will complete its constitutional responsibilities tonight."

After officers from the USCP, MPD, and federal partners methodically sweep the building, removing remaining individuals and establishing a hardened perimeter, the building is declared secure.

With Vice President Pence presiding, the Senate reconvenes to continue debating the objection to Arizona's electoral count.

Mike Pence, as the Senate reconvened:

"Today was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol. But thanks to the swift efforts of U.S. Capitol Police, federal, state and local law enforcement, the violence was quelled. The Capitol is secured, and the people's work continues. We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms..."

Speaker Pelosi repoens the House for debate on the objection to Arizona's electoral count:

"Today, a shameful assault was made on our democracy. It cannot, however, deter us from our responsibility to validate the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

For that reason, the Congress has returned to the Capitol. We always knew that this responsibility would take us into the night. And we will stay as long as it takes. Our purpose will be accomplished.

We must—and we will—show to the country, and indeed, to the world, that we will not be diverted from our duty; that we will respect our responsibility to the Constitution and to the American people..."

On the House floor, House Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) condemns the violence at the Capitol as she rises in support of the objection to Arizona's electoral votes:

"This has been a truly tragic day for America. And we all join together in fully condemning the dangerous violence and destruction that occurred today in our Nation’s Capitol.

Americans will always have the freedom of speech and the Constitutional right to protest, but violence in any form is absolutely unacceptable, it is anti-American, and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

While still on duty, Officer Sicknick collapses in a division office, and is subsequently transported to a local hospital.

He would die, at approximately 9:30 PM, the following evening.

In April 2021, DC Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Francisco Diaz stated that while Officer Brian Sicknick died of "natural causes" following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, "all that transpired played a role in his condition".

At 10:11 PM, the Senate votes 93–6 to reject the objection raised against the counting of Arizona's electoral votes.

At 11:10 PM, the House votes 303–121 to reject the objection raised against the counting of Arizona's electoral votes.