The Tale of Two Riots
- January 6, 2021 (J6): A mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to disrupt the certification of the 2020 election. Over 140 officers were injured, and the event led to 5 deaths (none ruled homicides directly caused by rioters). Property damage was estimated at $2.7 million (Architect of the Capitol, 2021).
- BLM Protests (2020): Sparked by George Floyd’s killing, protests swept the nation, with 93% being peaceful (ACLED, 2020). But the violent minority caused havoc: 25+ deaths (including officers and civilians), 2,000+ injured officers (FBI, 2020), and $2 billion in property damage across 140+ cities (Axios, 2020). Entire city blocks burned in places like Minneapolis and Portland.
- J6 Coverage: The media framed J6 as an “insurrection” and a “lethal attack on democracy.” Outlets like CNN and The New York Times ran wall-to-wall coverage, emphasizing the riot’s threat to lawmakers and democratic norms. Terms like “domestic terrorism” dominated headlines, and 63% of Americans came to believe J6 rioters directly killed an officer—a myth that persisted despite corrections (YouGov, 2021). The narrative cast J6 participants as a coordinated, existential threat, with little nuance for individual motivations.
- BLM Coverage: Despite the staggering toll—25+ deaths, including officers like David Dorn, killed by looters in St. Louis—the media consistently labeled BLM protests as “mostly peaceful.” NBC News and The Washington Post focused on systemic racism and police brutality, often framing violent actors as “opportunists” not reflective of the movement. Footage of burning businesses or injured officers was downplayed, while peaceful marches were amplified. In Portland, where riots spanned 100+ nights, The Guardian described the unrest as “largely symbolic.”
- Public Perception: The media’s portrayal shaped how Americans viewed each event. A 2021 Gallup poll found 76% of respondents saw J6 as a “crisis for democracy,” while only 45% viewed BLM unrest as a significant threat, despite its far greater death toll and destruction. This disparity fueled polarized narratives: J6 rioters were cast as irredeemable villains, while BLM rioters were often excused as part of a noble cause.
- Political Weaponization:
- J6: Democrats and media allies used the “insurrection” framing to justify sweeping investigations into Trump supporters, pushing for a January 6 Commission and labeling dissenters as “apologists.”
- BLM: Progressive leaders, including then-Senator Kamala Harris, supported bail funds for arrested protesters, and outlets rarely pressed for accountability, focusing instead on police reform.
- J6 Prosecutions: The federal response was relentless—1,350+ charges filed, with 335+ guilty pleas for assaulting officers (DOJ, April 2025). Sentences averaged 2-3 years, often for non-violent offenses like obstruction of Congress. The FBI deployed facial recognition and public tip lines, treating J6 as a national security threat.
- BLM Prosecutions: Most charges were handled locally, often for arson or looting, with lighter consequences. In Portland, only 10% of 2020 protest-related arrests led to convictions (Oregon DOJ, 2021). Despite 2,000+ injured officers and 25+ deaths, there was no federal task force or national dragnet. High-profile cases like Dorn’s murder were covered briefly, then faded.
- J6 Impact: The riot disrupted a constitutional process and injured 140 officers, but no homicides were directly attributed to rioters. The media’s focus on “lethality” exaggerated the body count while ignoring the event’s symbolic damage to democracy.
- BLM Impact: The 25+ deaths included civilians shot during riots, officers killed by looters, and bystanders caught in crossfire. In Minneapolis, the 3rd Precinct police station was burned to the ground, and entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. Yet, the media’s “mostly peaceful” refrain minimized these losses, framing the violence as an unfortunate footnote.
- Erosion of Trust: When the media vilifies J6 rioters as domestic terrorists but sanitizes BLM rioters despite their deadlier toll, public skepticism grows. If 93% of BLM protests were peaceful, why wasn’t the 7% that killed 25+ people and caused $2 billion in damage scrutinized equally?
- Unequal Justice: The aggressive federal response to J6 versus the lenient, localized approach to BLM raises questions of fairness. If J6 rioters face years in prison for assaulting officers, why didn’t BLM rioters who injured 2,000+ officers face similar scrutiny?
- Polarization: The media’s double standard fuels division. Conservatives see J6 coverage as proof of a “witch hunt,” while progressives view BLM leniency as justified by systemic racism. Both sides dig in, and nuance is lost.
- Call for Balance: Media outlets must apply consistent standards. If J6 is an “insurrection,” then BLM riots that killed 25+ people and torched cities deserve equal scrutiny—not a free pass as “mostly peaceful.”
- Equal Accountability: Legal systems should prioritize fairness. Intent (overturning an election vs. protesting racism) shouldn’t dictate such drastic differences in prosecution.
- Focus on Truth: The media should amplify facts over narratives. J6 was a serious breach of democratic norms, but BLM’s violence had a far higher human cost. Both deserve honest reckoning.
The media’s treatment of J6 and BLM rioters reveals a glaring bias: J6 participants were virtually prosecuted as threats to democracy, while BLM rioters—despite killing 25+ people and setting fire to cities—were painted as peaceful. This double standard distorts reality, erodes trust, and deepens division. As political tensions persist, media accountability is more urgent than ever.