One year ago, on January 6, 2021, a mob of Donald Trump supporters had attacked the US Capitol while it was certifying the result of the Presidential election, making it one of the biggest assault on democracy. Days before the event’s anniversary, polls show that two-third Americans believe that democracy in their country is threatened. 

Also read: Panel has testimony that Ivanka asked Trump to stop January 6 riot: Liz Cheney

According to two polls published Sunday, Americans are deeply concerned about the health of their democracy. About a third say violence against the government can sometimes be justified. 

As per two-thirds of those surveyed for a CBS News poll, the January 6 attack on the Capitol was “a harbinger of increasing political violence”.  Another poll, conducted by Washington Post/University of Maryland, shows that Americans’ ‘pride’ in their democracy has dropped sharply, from 90% in 2002 to 54% now. 

Also read: January 6 committee examining whether it can subpoena Congressmen: Chairman

CBS, in their poll, found that 28% of respondents believe force can be used to defend the result of an election. The Washington Post figured that 34% of their respondents said that a violent action against government can sometimes be justified. 

These polls comes as the House Committee investigating the Capitol riots will be presenting their findings in public. The vice-chair of the panel, Liz Cheney, who is a Republican, on Sunday revealed that Trump’s daughter – Ivanka – had repeatedly asked him to stop the violence on the day but the then-President did nothing until it was too late. 

Also read: January 6 committee prepares to go public as findings mount

The 45th President had urged thousands of supporters to ‘fight like hell’ and overturn the result of the 2020 elections. 

About 60% of those polled say Trump bears heavy responsibility for the invasion of the Capitol. Washington Post survey found that  83% of Trump voters placed his level of responsibility at only “some” or “none”. And 26% of Americans want him to run again in 2024, according to CBS.

Also Read | Capitol rioters’ tears, remorse don’t spare them from jail

“We have uncovered some things that cause us real concern, things like people trying to … undermine the integrity of our democracy,” the panel’s chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson, said Sunday on ABC.

“It appeared to be a coordinated effort on the part of a number of people to undermine the election,” he said.