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Jan. 6 updates: Biden tears into Trump for inciting Capitol attack

Speaking at the Capitol, Biden slammed Trump for "spreading a web of lies."

ByLibby Cathey
Last Updated: January 6, 2022, 8:55 PM EST

Thursday marks one year since the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and Democrats observed the anniversary with somber tributes at the building that's the symbol of American democracy.

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Homegrown: Standoff to Rebellion

A look at the days, events and conversations leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, from the eyes of anti-government groups, extremism experts and several ABC News correspondents who were at the Capitol that day.

The events in Washington included a panel discussion with historians, firsthand testimonies from lawmakers and a prayer vigil on the Capitol steps.

From Statuary Hall, which rioters stormed last year, President Joe Biden gave his most forceful rebuke of former President Donald Trump to date -- without calling him by name -- blaming him for the violence that erupted at the Capitol after he refused to accept a peaceful transfer of power for the first time in American history. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, were the only Republicans present in the House chamber for a moment of silence led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

A mob of supporters of President Donald Trump storm the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021.
Leah Millis/Reuters, FILE

ABC News Live will provide all-day coverage of Thursday's events at the Capitol and examine the continuing fallout for American democracy one year since the Jan. 6 siege.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 06, 2022, 6:00 AM EST

Where are Republican leaders? Not at the Capitol

While Democrats take a lead on the day’s ceremonies, Republican leaders are not expected to be at the Capitol.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is instead planning to attend the funeral of late GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson in Georgia. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has repeatedly accused Democrats of politicizing the day after saying on Jan. 6, 2021, on the House floor that "President Trump bears responsibility" for the "attack on Congress by mob rioters."

Trump on Tuesday canceled a planned press conference for Thursday from Mar-a-Lago, while House Republicans will be at home "talking to their constituents about things that actually affect them" like inflation and high gas prices, according to a House Republican leadership aide.

-ABC News’ Benjamin Siegel

Jan 06, 2022, 5:30 AM EST

White House previews Biden’s speech

In his speech scheduled for 9 a.m. inside the Capitol's Statutory Hall, Biden will address the "singular responsibility" then-President Donald Trump had "for the chaos and carnage" witnessed on Jan. 6, White House press secretary Jen Psaki previewed Wednesday.

"And he will forcibly push back on the lie spread by the former president in an attempt to mislead the American people and his own supporters as well as distract from his role and what happened," Psaki said.

President Joe Biden listens during a virtual meeting in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

She declined to say whether Biden would call Trump by name but said that "people will know who he’s referring to."

"He sees Jan. 6 as a tragic culmination of what those four years under President Trump did to our country and they reflected the importance to the president of winning what he has called many times and you've heard him call many times the soul, the battle for the soul of our nation," Psaki added.

Jan 06, 2022, 5:00 AM EST

Here’s what’s happening in Washington to mark Jan. 6

Biden and Harris are scheduled to deliver remarks to kick off the ceremonies at 9 a.m. in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

At noon, Pelosi will lead the House chamber in a moment of silence at noon. Then, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden will moderate a "Historic Perspective" panel discussion with historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham "to establish and preserve the narrative of January 6th."

Gates stand in front of the Capitol amidst police taking steps to heighten security for the anniversary of the riots in Washington, Jan. 4, 2022.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

In a large caucus room in the Cannon Office House Building at 2:30 p.m., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a decorated Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran -- who was sworn in for his second term days before Jan. 6 -- will lead members in sharing their experiences and reflections.

The schedule is set to conclude at 5:30 p.m. with a prayer vigil on the U.S. Capitol center steps. Members of the House and Senate were invited to observe the anniversary with prayer and music.

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