Bulwark Takes She Watched January 6 From Trump’s White House (w/ Sarah Matthews)
Jan 7, 2026
Sarah Matthews, former White House deputy press secretary, shares her firsthand account of the turmoil during the January 6 Capitol attack. She recounts witnessing the violence unfold on TV while in the West Wing and reflects on Trump's inaction. Matthews discusses her pivotal decision to resign and the accountability failures she sees among Republican leaders. She also highlights how January 6 has faded from public memory and the desensitization that has followed, raising alarms about Trump's potential return to power.
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Watching The Attack From The West Wing
- Sarah Matthews watched the Capitol attack unfold from her West Wing desk after returning from the Ellipse rally.
- She says senior officials told her Trump was enjoying the chaos and didn't want to call off the mob.
From Rally Stage To West Wing Desk
- Sarah stood at the side of the stage on the Ellipse when Trump gave his speech and then returned to the West Wing.
- She initially thought the speech was another rally moment and didn't expect it to produce an attack on the Capitol.
Youth Shapes Political Risk Calculation
- Matthews explains how young spokespeople are common because they lack established reputational stakes.
- She argues her age and career risk shaped the timing of her decision to resign after January 6.