Statement from John Lira on The Fifth Anniversary of the

January 6 Insurrection

San Antonio, TX - John Lira, Marine Corps veteran and candidate for Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, issued the following statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection.

“January 6th should never be forgotten.

That day, brave Capitol Police officers held the line against a violent mob to protect our democracy. Many of them are still living with the physical and emotional consequences of that day—while President Trump has literally pardoned many of the people who led or participated in the attack on the Constitution and our democracy that day. Just today his White House released a statement attempting to rewrite history, calling the attackers – peaceful patriotic protesters – and blaming Democrats for the attempted coup.

As someone who swore an oath to defend the Constitution at all costs, I can tell you that there was nothing patriotic about the actions of the President and the protesters on this day 5 years ago.

I was serving on Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s staff at the time. I watched helplessly as my boss and colleagues were forced to bunker down inside the Capitol while the seat of our democracy was under attack.There was nothing peaceful or patriotic about that attack on the Capitol.

January 6th is a constant reminder of what’s at risk when leaders put themselves and holding onto power ahead of the people they serve. Democracy is fragile. It only survives if we defend it—and if we tell the truth about what happened.”

John Lira

Candidate for U.S. Congress, Texas-35

John Lira is available for media interviews. Please contact Juan Rodriguez at 312-771-0263 and juan@liraforcongress.com

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About John Lira

A fourth-generation Mexican American from San Antonio’s Southeast Side, Lira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and served 11 years, including two deployments to Iraq. Using the GI Bill, he became the first in his family to graduate from college (San Antonio College, University of Texas-San Antonio) and later earned a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University.

He continued public service in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative fellow, a management and program analyst at the Small Business Administration and AmeriCorps, and a national commission focused on military, national, and public service. Lira has dedicated his career to helping those who serve, from veterans starting businesses and to serving as the senior presidential advisor for Americorps. John is committed to supporting all those who serve their communities and country.