How Democrats Messaged Trump’s Election Interference at the DNC

It was a slow build to an ultimately gut-wrenching retelling of the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Retired U.S. Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonell

Retired U.S. Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonell spoke at the Democratic National Convention. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Democrats reminded convention viewers of Donald Trump’s general legal troubles often throughout the four days in Chicago, but few — if any at all — delved into the details of the current cases he’s facing for election interference.

Instead, by the end of the convention, the DNC had made the actual events of Jan. 6, 2021 the main focal point, drawing from a Capitol police officer who was there, the family of another that died in the immediate aftermath and the lawmakers — including Republicans — who investigated Trump’s associations with the mob.

By Harris’ closing remarks Thursday, it was clear Democrats wanted Americans to relive the chaos, violence and tragedies of that day — the starkest reminder the party has of the stakes of the election.