EPISODE · Jan 6, 2026 · 31 MIN
Five Years Later, The J6 Rioters Still Believe They Were The Patriots
from The Smerconish Podcast · host Michael Smerconish
Robert Pape is a professor of political science at the University of Chicago and director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats. He is a leading expert on political violence, terrorism, and democratic stability, and has conducted extensive research on the January 6 defendants.Michael van der Veen is a Philadelphia-based trial attorney who served as lead defense counsel for President Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial. He has also represented multiple defendants charged in connection with January 6.William J. Brennan is a veteran criminal defense attorney with decades of experience handling complex federal cases. He has represented several January 6 defendants and frequently speaks on issues of criminal justice and prosecutorial overreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
On the five-year anniversary of January 6, Michael examines why the event continues to shape American politics—and why many of those involved still believe they were patriots. Political scientist Robert Pape explains how January 6 marked the beginning of an era of normalized political violence, while attorneys Michael van der Veen and Bill Brennan push back, offering firsthand perspectives from defending January 6 defendants. A wide-ranging, often tense conversation about belief, accountability, pardons, and what January 6 truly changed about America.
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Five Years Later, The J6 Rioters Still Believe They Were The Patriots
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