The Big Story Jan 6th five years later: what's changed, what hasn't?
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Jan 6, 2026 Aaron Ettinger, a political science professor at Carleton University, dives deep into the legacy of the January 6 Capitol attack. He shares his personal impressions and explores how misinformation fuels ongoing political strife. Ettinger discusses the MAGA base's potential support for Trump's foreign policy, particularly regarding Venezuela. He also raises concerns about authoritarianism and the risk of future political violence. As the midterms approach, he warns Republicans of vulnerabilities and stresses the need to reckon with the lessons of January 6.
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Personal Memory Of January 6th
- Aaron Ettinger watched the January 6th coverage amid a half-built living room as his furniture delivery was delayed during the pandemic.
- The juxtaposition made the event feel both personally surreal and politically significant to him.
Legacy Is A Manufactured Crisis
- Ettinger says the legacy of January 6th is deliberately unsettled through campaigns of misinformation and reinterpretation.
- He argues this manufactured crisis of interpretation serves ongoing political and personal interests.
Culture Wars Fuel Revisionism
- Ettinger links the misinterpretation to perpetual culture wars that keep political bases mobilized.
- He frames these fights as ends in themselves, used for political and private-sector gain.