Monday briefing: How Trump rewrote January 6

How Trump redefined the January 6 riots as ‘Valentine’s Day’

Four years ago today, protesters stormed the Capitol with batons, chemical irritants and other weapons, inspired by Donald Trump’s lie that the election was stolen from him.

Several people died during and after the riots, including a protester who was shot and four police officers who committed suicide. More than 140 officers were injured. After the attack, it seemed that Trump’s political career was over. But in two weeks, he will be sworn in.

In the years following the riots, he and his supporters devoted significant effort to reinventing current events. They spread conspiracy theories for their ultimate political gain. While his allies in Congress and the media downplayed the attack and redirected blame, the violent rioters—who were tried, convicted, and imprisoned—were transformed into national martyrs.

Now Trump has the platform to turn the attack into what he called a “day of love.” He has pledged to pardon rioters in the first hour of his new administration, while his supporters in Congress are pressing for criminal charges against those who investigated his actions. This is how Trump turned a violent day into political capital.

Russia and others are using hybrid tactics to target the West

Russia, Iran and other hostile countries are becoming more impudent Using “gray zone” attacks. – Such as hacking of sensitive computer systems, alleged assassination plots, and surveillance drones flying near military bases – against Western countries.

Britain, Germany, the United States, the Baltic states and Nordic countries near the Russian border are among the countries most targeted by hybrid threats, partly because of their prominent support for Ukraine, officials said. Russia has denied launching hybrid attacks against NATO, but NATO officials said Moscow has created a special directorate focused on implementing them.

It presents defense officials with a complex problem: How can states deter such actions without provoking a broader conflict? How do they assign blame when the strikes are designed to evade responsibility?

Syrians regain normal freedoms

There are now picnics and fireworks on top of the mountain that was previously off-limits to anyone but soldiers firing into rebel-held areas below. Protest songs that could have meant prison sentences can now be heard in the streets. Hundreds gathered to hear an activist speak, and there was open trade in dollars and imported Nescafe.

Muhammad Qatfani, 21, a dentistry student, said of Damascus: “We feel as if the city has returned to us.”

“Nearly 24 years ago, I killed and disposed of many bodies. I try to remember, but I cannot remember everyone.”

Edgar Matobato says he repeatedly killed for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. It was part of Duterte’s violent and brutal extrajudicial campaign against drugs and other social ills that has claimed at least 20,000 lives. He is now on the run and trying to survive to testify.

A life he lived: Tomiko Itoka, believed to be the world’s oldest person, has died at a nursing home in Ashiya, Japan. She was 116 years old.

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Arts and ideas

Hong Kong taxi drivers are facing the end of an era

Hong Kong taxi drivers are often angry and rushing to get the next fare, and they have been doing things their own way for decades. They often drive fast and recklessly, treat customers curtly, and usually only accept cash. It’s an anomaly in the city’s sleek transport network, emblematic of its high-pressure, no-frills working-class culture.

But due to passenger complaints and the need to stimulate the faltering tourism economy, the government adopted new regulations last month: by 2026, all taxis must have systems installed for credit cards, digital payments and additional surveillance cameras.

There may be no more difficult task in this city of seven million people than changing the habits of a taxi driver, but as one taxi driver sees it, “The world has changed – you have to accept it“.