The first attack on the United States took place one year ago today. The Capitol remained silent for the first time in two centuries on Thursday, as House Democrats and Republicans clashed over the deadly violence.The events of January 6, 2021, have widened the chasm between Democrats, who perceive the day as an attempted coup, and Republicans, who have generally avoided discussing what transpired beyond addressing security failings at the Capitol in the last year.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney made an unexpected visit to the United States. Rep. Liz Cheney, his daughter, was present in the House chamber for the solemn occasion. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also expressed gratitude to the United States. When supporters of former President Donald Trump sought to prevent President-elect Joe Biden's victory from being certified, Capitol Police defended Congress. There were no other Republicans in attendance.

During the minute of quiet, the Cheneys sat side by side in the first row. Following that, several Democratic congresswomen embraced Liz Cheney, who introduced her father to several of her House select committee colleagues probing the insurgency's cause.

"It was great coming back. I think Liz is doing a hell of a job, and I'm here to support her," the former vice president said while leaving the House floor, according to The Washington Post.

Asked by reporters about the failure of any other Republicans to participate, Cheney said, "Well, it's not a leadership that resembles any of the folks I knew when I was here for 10 years."

There were few public words from Republican members outside the Capitol, many of whom are still grappling with how they recall the events of that day. Many people have claimed that the rioters believed they were allowed into the building to exercise their right to protest and that the events of the day were mostly peaceful, despite horrific footage of rioters hitting police and desecrating the Capitol.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged the gravity of January 6, calling it "a dark day for Congress and our country. The United States Capitol, the seat of the first branch of our federal government, was stormed by criminals who brutalized police officers and used force to try to stop Congress from doing its job."

He didn't mention Trump's possible participation in the riot, but he did accuse Democrats for attempting to  "to exploit this anniversary to advance partisan policy goals that long predated this event."

"When the violent assault was made on the Capitol, its purpose was to thwart Congress' constitutional duty to validate the electoral count and to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. But the assault did not deter us from our duty." Pelosi remarked after the minute of quiet.

Pelosi, the third-highest official in the US government, and other congressional Democrats hosted multiple remembrance events on Thursday. She was evacuated to an undisclosed secure location during the conflict, while members of her staff barricaded themselves in offices to avoid protestors. Early the next morning, both houses returned to ratify the election results.

In the immediate aftermath of the riot, McConnell was one of many Republicans to condemn Trump's actions. However, as he faced an impeachment trial in the United States, the former president's own party's tone transformed. In February 2021, the Senate will convene. In the end, the majority of senators who had opposed Trump's behavior on January 6 decided to acquit him of instigating an insurgency.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong ally of former President Barack Obama, voted in favor of acquittal. "Those who defiled the Capitol on January 6 are being prosecuted, as they should be," he said in a statement Thursday. I have consistently condemned the attack and have urged that those involved be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I hold the same views of those who attacked the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, and committed other acts of violence throughout our nation."

He also didn't mention Trump's role in that day's events.

Ten House Republicans, including Cheney, vice chair of the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack, voted to impeach Trump on allegations of encouraging insurgency. "Even in the aftermath of January 6th, the former President continues to make the same false claims that he knows caused violence. The Republican Party must reject his lies." she said in a tweet on Thursday.

Cheney was pulled of her committee responsibilities by Republicans after criticizing Trump's conduct in the aftermath of the riot, and her views are not shared by the majority of her party. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene have urged for the rioters to be released as "political prisoners." "We're ashamed of nothing." Gaetz said on the Steve Bannon podcast on Thursday. We're proud of the work we did on January 6 to make legitimate arguments about election integrity."

For Democrats, January 6 will forever be remembered as a day of agony that has tainted their job and changed their relationships with many of their Republican colleagues.

"For me personally, the path forward after January 6 has not been easy," Democratic Representative Dan Kildee said Thursday at a forum for lawmakers to share their memories of the day of the riot. It's been made more painful, however, by the fact that most of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to accommodate that big lie. That was the predicate for the attack on our country," 

 "I know we can stop this ongoing effort to bend our democracy," he said," Truly, truly protect our democracy. We need truth."