While most stayed home during the pandemic, essential workers kept the US Capitol running and stood their ground during the January 6 insurrection.
When the Covid-19 pandemic forced Congress to close the US Capitol to most visitors and send the majority of staff home to work remotely, a dedicated group of essential workers remained on the job. These workers—police officers, service personnel, and nonpartisan staff—were tasked with maintaining the daily operations of the Capitol, ensuring that entrances were guarded, food was served, bills were filed, and debates proceeded.
Despite the absence of the usual crowd of tourists, lobbyists, and staff, these essential workers remained at their posts, doing their part to keep the nation’s legislative processes intact. But when Congress convened on January 6, 2021, to certify the presidential election results, they found themselves in the midst of an unprecedented attack. A pro-Trump mob, seeking to disrupt the certification, stormed the Capitol in what would become the worst assault on the building since 1814.
These essential workers were the silent defenders of democracy that day, standing their ground as the chaos unfolded. Their role, often overlooked, was crucial in ensuring the Capitol’s continued operation amid a national crisis, and they paid a significant price for their dedication, many enduring physical harm and emotional trauma in the face of the mob’s onslaught.
