The Joint Chiefs on the January 6, 2021 Riot in Washington

Far too much of the commentary following the attacks on the Capitol building has been partisan or too focused on the event as part of a broader threat to American democracy. It is important to note that the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a statement to the U.S. armed forces that avoided any element of partisanship or panic, but it provided a powerful and decisive statement on their role in defending the Constitution.

This statement got only marginal attention in the media that instead focused of the ongoing crisis. Some other coverage took the message out of context to support partisan or policy positions that the statement did not take.

A copy is attached. In a time of far too many extreme views, this statement provides clear evidence that the U.S. military is performing its role in defending and upholding a keystone of democracy. It has a lasting meaning that goes far beyond the headlines of the crisis, and it is well worth reading in full.

This commentary, entitled, The Joint Chiefs on the January 6, 2021 Riot in Washington , is available for download at https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/publication/210119_Cordesman_Riots_Washington.pdf

Anthony H. Cordesman holds the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He has served as a consultant on Afghanistan to the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of State.

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