SUMMARY
January 20, 2029
President Orders Preservation and Public Access to the Historical Record of the January 6 Attack on American Democracy
Today, the President signed an Executive Order directing the preservation, organization, and lawful public accessibility of the historical and judicial record related to the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol.
The Order affirms that while presidential pardons resolve criminal liability, they do not erase historical facts, judicial findings, or the public record. The initiative is designed to safeguard democratic memory, ensure transparency, and support civic education—without imposing punishment, stigma, or retaliation against any individual.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2029
President Signs Executive Order to Preserve January 6 Historical Record
The President today signed an Executive Order establishing a comprehensive, non-partisan effort to preserve and make accessible the historical and judicial record of the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol.
The Order directs the Department of Justice and the National Archives to preserve court opinions, trial records, sworn testimony, and other lawfully public documents arising from the prosecutions of January 6-related offenses. These materials will be organized into a centralized archival collection to ensure that the factual record remains available to the American people.
The Executive Order makes clear that presidential pardons—while constitutionally valid—do not alter historical facts or judicial findings. The initiative is expressly non-punitive and does not create any registry, surveillance mechanism, or additional legal consequence for any individual.
“This action is about memory, not punishment,” the President said. “A democracy cannot function if it forgets how it was tested.”
The preserved records may also be used for lawful, nonpartisan civic education, including instruction on constitutional governance, the peaceful transfer of power, and the rule of law.
EXECUTIVE ORDER
Preservation of the Historical Record of the January 6, 2021 Attack on American Democracy
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Purpose and Findings.
(a) On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol was violently attacked during the constitutionally mandated certification of the Electoral College vote.
(b) Federal courts adjudicated hundreds of cases arising from these events, producing sworn testimony, judicial findings of fact, evidentiary records, and reasoned opinions.
(c) The presidential pardon power, while absolute with respect to criminal liability, does not alter historical facts, judicial findings, or the public record.
(d) A democratic society depends upon the accurate preservation of its history, particularly when constitutional processes are threatened.
(e) It is therefore in the national interest to ensure that the factual and judicial record of January 6, 2021 is preserved, organized, and made accessible to the public in a lawful, neutral, and non-punitive manner.
Section 2. Preservation of Records.
(a) The Attorney General, in coordination with the Archivist of the United States, shall take all lawful steps to preserve records related to the January 6, 2021 attack, including but not limited to:
Court opinions and orders
Indictments, informations, and plea agreements
Trial transcripts and admitted exhibits
Sentencing memoranda and judicial findings of fact
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the disclosure of sealed records, protected personal information, or materials otherwise exempt from disclosure under federal law.
Section 3. Public Accessibility of Lawfully Available Records.
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Archivist of the United States shall organize and make accessible existing public records related to January 6, 2021 through a centralized, non-editorial archival collection.
(b) Such collection shall:
Rely exclusively on lawfully public documents
Avoid characterizations, labels, or commentary
Clearly distinguish between factual records and interpretive materials
(c) No record shall be added, removed, or altered based on the granting or denial of a presidential pardon.
Section 4. Statement Regarding Pardons.
(a) This Order affirms that presidential pardons:
Relieve criminal liability
Do not constitute findings of innocence
Do not expunge judicial findings or historical facts
(b) Nothing in this Order shall be construed to impair the pardon power granted by Article II of the Constitution or to impose additional punishment, stigma, or legal disability on any individual.
Section 5. Civic Education and Democratic Institutions.
(a) The Archivist, in consultation with appropriate educational and civic institutions, may facilitate the use of preserved records for nonpartisan educational purposes, including instruction on:
Constitutional governance
The peaceful transfer of power
The role of courts and the rule of law
(b) All such efforts shall be factual, neutral, and consistent with existing law.
Section 6. Prohibition on Retaliation or Punitive Use.
Nothing in this Order shall be interpreted to:
Create a registry of individuals
Authorize surveillance or monitoring
Impose penalties, disabilities, or adverse consequences
Encourage harassment or retaliation
This Order is solely concerned with historical preservation and lawful transparency.
Section 7. General Provisions.
(a) Nothing in this Order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
The authority granted by law to any executive department or agency; or
The functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This Order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity.
THE WHITE HOUSE
January 20, 2029
