The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: Mary Clare Jalonick on ‘Storm at the Capitol’
Jan 8, 2026
Mary Clare Jalonik, Associated Press reporter and author of 'Storm at the Capitol', shares her gripping firsthand experiences from January 6th. She discusses why she chose to compile oral histories to combat misinformation and ensure an accurate record. Jalonik reveals the stark contrast between reporters' intuition of danger and law enforcement's oversight. She highlights key moments, like Eugene Goodman’s brave actions and the impact of the day's violence on officers, while emphasizing the importance of letting firsthand accounts guide our understanding of the events.
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A Reporter Trapped In The House Gallery
- Mary Clare Jalonik recounts being trapped in the House gallery with lawmakers as rioters attacked below.
- She emphasizes the surreal shift from routine coverage to a violent, chaotic day inside the Capitol.
Expectation Versus Reality For Law Enforcement
- Reporters expected an unusual day politically, but most did not anticipate the level of violence that occurred.
- Jalonik and others describe a failure of imagination and missed intelligence that left law enforcement underprepared.
Missed Signals And Flawed Intelligence
- Pre-event situational reports downplayed the risk despite open online planning, often concluding violence was improbable.
- Jalonik highlights gaps in intelligence synthesis and operational readiness that compounded the failures.
