Storm at the Capitol

An Oral History of January 6th

De: Mary Clare Jalonick

The definitive, unbiased account of the twenty-four hours surrounding the historic January 6th attack on the Capitol

The January 6th insurrection was a stunning and unprecedented attack on the center of American government. Unlike previous national traumas that united the country in the face of turmoil, the siege has only further divided Americans, as many continue to dispute the facts and downplay its significance.

In Storm at the Capitol, Mary Clare Jalonick delivers a deeply reported and definitive account of the violence at the Capitol told through firsthand narratives—from the rioters themselves and the police who fought them, to the lawmakers who fled the violence, and the staff, workers, and reporters who were there that day, including Jalonick herself. Her retelling begins in the predawn hours of January 6th, as Trump’s supporters travel to Washington, some with plans for violence, and ends in the early morning hours of January 7th, after Vice President Mike Pence slams his gavel on the House rostrum and declares Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

A vivid, terrifying, and human portrait, Storm at the Capitol is a riveting listen for anyone who is worried about the future of our democracy.

©2026 Mary Clare Jalonick (P)2026 PublicAffairs