Jan. 6 updates: Biden tears into Trump for inciting Capitol attack
Speaking at the Capitol, Biden slammed Trump for "spreading a web of lies."
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.
![Homegrown: Standoff to Rebellion](https://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/capitol-graphic2-abc-ml-220105_1641409891450_hpMain.jpg)
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.
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.
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Fortified fencing, massive force, not part of anniversary scene
Armored military vehicles, concertina wire atop non-scalable fencing and the massive show of force that fortified Capitol Hill in the aftermath of the violent attack on democracy last Jan. 6 are not defining Thursday's anniversary.
The security posture in Washington, by comparison, appears fairly ordinary. The temporary fencing that ringed the Capitol for more than six months, and again briefly for a September demonstration has not returned, though that could change quickly if conditions warrant, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas in a recent interview.
In a briefing Tuesday, Manger said his office was aware of several events planned for the day but that “most of them aren't of much concern to us.”
“There's no intelligence that indicates that there would be any problems,” he said.
By the numbers: DOJ investigates Jan. 6
At least 704 accused rioters have been charged by the Department of Justice, according to an ABC News count. At least 172 have pleaded guilty to their changes.
The FBI is still seeking 350 individuals believed to have committed violent acts on the Capitol grounds, according to the DOJ, including over 250 who assaulted police officers.
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-ABC News' Olivia Rubin, Alexander Mallin and Will Steakin
Capitol Police union praises officers' 'dedication and commitment'
The union representing United States Capitol Police officers praised the "dedication and commitment" of those who protected the Capitol building one year ago.
"Today, we recognize the dedication and commitment to mission of the men and women who put their own lives and safety on the line to defend the U.S. Capitol," Gus Papathanasiou, chair of the union, said in a statement Thursday. "We especially pay tribute to Officer Sicknick who died after being injured during the rioting, and to Officer Liebengood who tragically took his own life after the attack."
According to Papathanasiou, 80 Capitol Police officers sustained injuries that day, with some so serious they are still not back at work. He said members of the force remain "committed to our mission," but that comes with an increase in officers as well as improved intelligence and communications between officers and leadership.
Papathanasiou noted that the legacy of Jan. 6 -- from a policing perspective -- should be a police force that is better prepared, with an eye toward readiness if an attack of such scale ever occurred again.
"Going forward, this Union will work with the Department to ensure those sacrifices will not be in vain," he added. "We must ensure that the events of January 6th are never repeated."
-ABC News' Luke Barr
Who placed the pipe bombs the night before the Capitol attack?
On the evening of Jan. 5, 2021, on a sleepy street a short distance from the U.S. Capitol, a mysterious figure loomed. Wearing a sweatshirt with the hood pulled up, a pair of Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow Nike logo, a backpack and gloves, the suspect walked through alleyways and was equipped with what investigators say were two pipe bombs.
A full year later, the agency still has not caught the person who placed the bombs nor has it released information about a "person of interest."
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-ABC News' Luke Barr
Pelosi leads prayer vigil on Capitol steps
On the center steps of the east side of the Capitol, which Trump supporters stormed last year after he called on them to "fight for your country," congressional Democrats held a bipartisan prayer vigil to mark one year since the deadly attack threatened their lives and American democracy.
Democratic leaders led members, with electric candles in hand, in walking down the steps before Bishop Michael Curry offered an invocation, asking for God's guidance in healing the nation.
A member of the "The President's Own" Marine Band sang "My Country, Tis of Thee" and "God Bless America," and several lawmakers sang along.
They bowed their heads for approximately 30 seconds when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for a moment of silence. While members of both chambers and parties were invited, it appeared no Republicans were present.
-ABC News' Mariam Khan