us capitol

Pennsylvania congressional leaders reflect on 1 year since January 6 US Capitol insurrection

The investigation into the insurrection of the Capitol continues with the FBI still looking for more than 300 people.
By and
Thursday, January 6, 2022
It has been exactly one year since the U.S. Capitol riot incident killed five people, including protestors and police.
WASHINGTON (WPVI) -- It has been exactly one year since the U.S. Capitol riot incident killed five people, including protestors and police.

The Capitol sustained $1.5 million in damage.
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The investigation into the insurrection of the Capitol continues with the FBI still looking for more than 300 people.

Of the more than 700 defendants arrested so far from across the country, Pennsylvania is only second to Florida, with the highest number of citizens involved.

One of the youngest defendants, 19-year-old Leonard Pearson Ridge of Bucks County, was sentenced this week.

Shocking images showed some local lawmakers on the floor of the House as the Capitol came under siege.

Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Supporters loyal to then-President Donald Trump attend a rally on the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Then-President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
People listen as then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
A supporter of then-President Donald Trump is injured during clashes with police at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
A rioter pours water on herself at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
A Trump supporter holds a Bible as he gathers with others outside the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington.AP
A demonstrator supporting then-President Donald Trump, is sprayed by police, Jan. 6, 2021, during a day of rioting at the Capitol.AP
Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
U.S. Capitol Police try to hold back rioters outside the east doors to the House side of the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.AP
Rioters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan 6, 2021.AP
Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.AP
Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, with other insurrectionists who supported then-President Donald Trump, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Police with guns drawn watch as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Congressmen shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Members of Congress wear emergency gas masks as they are evacuated from the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
The House gallery is empty after it was evacuated as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda on Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.AP
Members of the DC National Guard surround the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP
An ATF police officer cleans up debris strewn across the floor of the rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.none
Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., read the final certification of Electoral College votes at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2021.none
A flag that reads "Treason" is visible on the ground in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.none
A flag hangs between broken windows after then-President Donald Trump supporters tried to break through police barriers outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.none


"I'm surprised and dismayed. I realize in some ways, it's not their fault they've been fed lies," said Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA 4th District).



Both of these members of congress serve Pennsylvania, Dean a Democrat and Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican.
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Both voted to certify the presidential election.

"There's a lot of misinformation being spread out there, which compounds the problem. Especially with social media where false information can be put out there. It spreads like a wildfire, and people believe it," said Fitzpatrick (R-PA 1st District).

Fitzpatrick broke from some Pennsylvania Republicans who voted against certifying the election.



U.S. Representative Dan Meuser, whose district encompasses part of Berks County and New Jersey's second district representative, Jeff Van Drew, voted against certifying the election.

Those two lawmakers also voted no on Former President Donald Trump's impeachment.

Fitzpatrick also voted against impeachment and then drafted language to censure Trump.

RELATED: 'I was calling my husband wearing a gas mask': US lawmakers open up after January 6 Capitol siege
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"You need to look at the manifestation of it and if it's going to further divide the country and ultimately lead to a failure which we all knew was going to happen in the senate," said Fitzpatrick.

Dean was tapped by the House speaker to become one of nine impeachment managers.



"Certainly, it's a trial to the senate, but much more, it is a record for history of what took place. So it felt weighty and worthy, and I felt so honored," said Dean.

But even a year later, elected members from both sides of the aisle are still receiving threats.

"The FBI sent notice to us there are some groups in Pa. that mentioned my name as a target for domestic terrorism," said Fitzpatrick.

RELATED: 7 hours, 700 arrests, 1 year later: The Jan. 6 Capitol attack, by the numbers

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