Fact check: Were Jan 6 rioters ushered into the capital

1. Summary of the results

The claim that January 6 rioters were "ushered into" the Capitol is definitively contradicted by multiple reliable sources. The evidence shows that rioters violently pushed past security lines and forcibly broke into the Capitol ^[1]. Capitol Police were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of rioters, indicating a security breach rather than authorized entry ^[2]. Over 1,000 people have been charged by federal prosecutors for their participation in the riot ^[3], which further demonstrates the unauthorized nature of the entry.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original question:

• There were significant security failures and a breakdown of command structure during the event ^[2]
• Some participants like Curt Wenger have claimed they were "let in" ^[4], but these claims have been thoroughly debunked by official investigations ^[4]
• A viral video showing police backing away was later clarified by the journalist who filmed it: officers retreated because they were vastly outnumbered, not because they were allowing entry ^[5]
• Police officers have testified about the violence and mayhem they experienced ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The narrative that rioters were "ushered in" appears to be part of a broader conspiracy theory ^{[4] [7]} that benefits several groups:

• Those attempting to minimize the severity of the January 6 events
• Individuals facing criminal charges who might seek to justify their actions
• Political actors who aim to reframe the narrative around the event

The persistence of this false narrative is notable, as sources indicate these claims continue to circulate despite being repeatedly disproven ^[3]. The extensive criminal proceedings and police testimony ^[6] directly contradict this narrative, yet it remains a common talking point among certain groups attempting to downplay the events' severity.