Conservative commentator Scott Jennings just threw a curveball at the White House, daring to call the January 6, 2021, Capitol chaos a dark stain on history that must never be repeated.
In a bold break from President Trump's narrative, Jennings aired his dissent on CNN, critiquing the White House's take on the violent Capitol breach while still swatting away progressive attempts to turn the day into a somber annual ritual.
Let’s rewind to that infamous day in 2021 when a mob, spurred by claims of a stolen election, stormed the Capitol, even threatening then-Vice President Mike Pence for refusing to halt vote certification.
Jennings didn’t mince words on CNN’s “The Source,” declaring, “It was a bad day, it should never happen again,” a stark contrast to the unapologetic stance from Trump’s camp.
While he’s no fan of the left’s urge to memorialize the event, Jennings isn’t buying the White House’s spin that pins the blame on Capitol police for ramping up the conflict.
Speaking of that spin, the White House webpage paints a picture of officers “aggressively firing tear gas, flash bangs, and rubber munitions into crowds of peaceful protesters,” as if law enforcement were the instigators.
That same webpage takes aim at Democrats for “certifying a fraud-ridden election” and flipping the script to fault Trump for the mayhem, a claim that’s been a lightning rod for years.
Adding fuel to the fire, the White House hailed Trump’s sweeping pardons for many January 6 defendants on Inauguration Day 2025, labeling them “patriotic citizens” wronged by a vindictive prior administration.
Yet, Jennings isn’t swayed, pointing out how the White House’s words could easily be read as shifting culpability onto the cops who faced the brunt of that day’s fury.
Back in the aftermath of the attack, Jennings penned a fiery op-ed for CNN, branding the event “literally an insurrection” directly tied to Trump’s actions, a stance that still echoes in his current critique.
He didn’t stop there, once accusing Trump’s inner circle, including Rudy Giuliani, of fanning the flames with dangerous rhetoric like calls for “trial by combat” at a pre-riot rally.
Jennings urged fellow conservatives at the time to stand by the Constitution and denounce the violence as terrorism, a plea that feels just as pointed today amid the ongoing spin.
Meanwhile, White House aide Stephen Cheung let slip a smirk-worthy confession, marveling that media outlets “actually fell for our trap” with the provocative webpage, suggesting it was crafted to bait reactions.
If that’s the game, it’s a risky one—stoking division over an event that already split the nation, while voices like Jennings push for reflection over revisionism.
At the end of the day, Jennings stands as a rare conservative willing to challenge the party line, reminding us that even in a polarized age, some still value principle over playbook. His critique isn’t just a jab at the White House; it’s a call to reckon with history, not rewrite it. And while the left’s sanctimonious vigils grate, ignoring January 6’s lessons would be the real folly.
