Statuary Hall is turned into a television set for January 6 amid accusations of GOP demagoguery
Grover C. Magnus
4 min read
On the eve of the first anniversary of the deadly Jan.6 attack on the Capitol, Statuary Hall – where a number of solemn events have taken place over the years – has been transformed into a television studio.
A stage has been set up in the middle of the ornate chamber, next to a large camera crane and tele blowers.
The room will be used by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, as they address the nation early in the morning from the United States Capitol.
Later, CNN will pick it up for a special hosted by Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper called “Live from the Capitol: January 6, one year later.”
A CNN press release said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi along with nine House members, all Democrats except Representative Liz Cheney, would join the program.
On Wednesday evening, a number of Republican aides were dismayed at the sight.
“It’s tasteless to treat this anniversary like a Super Bowl show to be milked for ratings, especially since the Capitol staff who were in the building a year ago continue to grapple with their experiences this day, “a senior Republican official told DailyMail.com.
As of Wednesday evening, the Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol had been transformed into a television studio, complete with a large stage, a camera on a crane and teleprompers.
A teleprompter and TV monitor have been set up in Statuary Hall for a CNN TV special on Thursday night anchored by Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper.
A teleprompter can be seen installed in Statuary Hall on the eve of the first anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol
Another GOP aide also pointed out the nature of the event, similar to “Super Bowl”.
“It’s their 24/7. It’s their only problem, “the source mocked.
“As someone who knows people with PTSD, those limbs who have been supposedly scarred by these events are not acting like that,” the source added. “If they were really suffering from PTSD, they wouldn’t talk about it and parade the event like they’ve been doing for a year.”
Another GOP Capitol Hill aide suggested Pelosi turn the 1/6 anniversary into a spectacle to distract attention from the large-scale Omicron COVID outbreak in the United States, which has left Democrats – in charge from the White House and both Houses of Congress – flat-legged and unprepared.
“President Pelosi cannot turn back time to focus on Democrats” The $ 1.9 trillion COVID relief bill on COVID testing, so it will play the role of a time when Trump was President by turning the old House of the House into a series of soap operas, “the assistant.
“There she will explain how our democracy barely survived a spontaneous protest as if it was the Battle of Hogwarts,” the source added.
A TV crew moves into Statuary Hall on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s January 6 anniversary
Statuary Hall, which is the original chamber of the house in the United States Capitol, has been used for a number of both solemn and joyous occasions
TV crews are testing different chair configurations on the big stage built in Statuary Hall on Wednesday
Statuary Hall, which is the House’s original bedroom, has been used as the setting for a number of occasions both solemn and joyful.
This is where Rep Elijah Cummings and Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg rest.
And that’s where the traditional opening lunch takes place, among other celebrations.
On Thursday, commemorations will begin there, but will move elsewhere around the U.S. Capitol complex.
At 9 a.m., Biden and Harris will address the nation from Statuary Hall.
An hour later, Pelosi will make a statement upstairs in the House and offer a reflective statement to House staff.
At noon, Pelosi will lead the House of Representatives in a minute of silence.
And then at 1 p.m., she will host a discussion with historians in the Cannon Caucus Room.
Membership testimonials will also be held there later in the afternoon.
The day will end with a prayer vigil on the steps of the Capitol at 5.30 p.m.
And then the CNN broadcast will start at 8 p.m.
Two Republicans allied with former President Donald Trump – Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz – plan to host their own press event while members give testimonies a few steps away.
