Biden decries ‘big lie,’ blames Trump for insurrection

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has marked the anniversary of the violent Capitol insurrection by forcefully condemning Donald Trump’s election “big lie” that sparked the deadly breaching of the building and continues to motivate deep national division. He declared he will fight for “the soul of America.”

Lawmakers are holding events Thursday to reflect on the violent attack by supporters of then-President Trump. The ceremonies were widely attended by Democrats, but almost every Republican on Capitol Hill was absent.

It's a stark reminder of the rupture between the parties, worsening since hundreds of Trump’s supporters violently pushed past police, broke through the Capitol's windows and interrupted the certification of Biden’s victory.