Geoffrey Shough, of Austin
Texas and the Capitol Attack: Five Years Later
Five years ago today, a mob stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The attack left lasting marks on American democracy—and Texas played an outsized role in both the events of that day and their aftermath.
Texans at the Capitol
Texas led the nation in arrests related to the Capitol breach, with more than 100 residents charged. Among them was Guy Reffitt of Wylie, who became the first Capitol rioter convicted at trial in March 2022. He was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison after prosecutors showed he had transported firearms to Washington, rallied other rioters toward the Capitol while armed, and later threatened his own children to keep them from reporting him to authorities.
At least 11 Texans arrested had ties to extremist groups including the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Three Percenters, while about 14 had connections to military or law enforcement. The charges they faced ranged from simple trespassing to violent assaults on police officers.
Geoffrey Shough, from Austin, was arrested and faced charges stemming from his alleged participation
Dennis Wayne Barnes, of Austin, was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.
Barnes’ son, Joseph Cable Barnes, was previously charged with participating in the Capitol riot but died in a motorcycle wreck in June 2021.
North Texas emerged as a particular hotspot. Donald Hazard of Hurst and Lucas Denney of Mansfield were charged with assaulting officers and conspiracy after allegedly using Facebook to recruit members for their “Patriot Boys of North Texas” militia group. Frisco realtor Jenna Ryan became infamous for live-streaming herself entering the Capitol and promoting her business during the breach, even tweeting that she was “definitely not going to jail.” She was wrong—Ryan served a 60-day prison sentence.
Political Figures and the Attack
Senator Ted Cruz was objecting to Arizona’s Electoral College results at the very moment the Capitol was overrun. Cruz had led a group of Republican senators in calling for an emergency audit of election results, a move that critics said helped fuel the anger that exploded into violence.
As the attack unfolded, Cruz denounced the violence on Twitter, calling it “a despicable act of terrorism”. However, even after the Capitol was secured, Cruz continued with his objection to certifying Arizona’s results.
His characterization of the attack later proved controversial. On the first anniversary of January 6, Cruz called it a “violent terrorist attack,” which drew fierce criticism from conservative commentators and fellow Republicans. Cruz quickly walked back his language, calling his own words “sloppy” and “frankly dumb” on Tucker Carlson’s show, insisting he only meant to describe those who attacked police as terrorists.
Other Texas lawmakers were trapped inside the Capitol as the mob breached its walls. Representative Vicente Gonzalez described being evacuated from the House chambers as protesters broke through the doors, calling it “an act of domestic terrorism”.
I was in the House Chambers when they came in and told us the Capitol had been breeched. They took the Speaker out of the chambers and locked us down and told us to stay in place. Later their were popping noises where we had to get down and follow Capitol Police orders out. (1/2)
— Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (@RepGonzalez) January 6, 2021
The late Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee tweeted a photo of people ducking behind seats in the House chamber, saying, “I am safe and will not fear or leave because of this unwarranted and shameless violence.”
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) January 6, 2021
The Pardon’s Impact
The legal consequences from that day seemed conclusive until January 20, 2025, when President Trump issued a mass pardon to nearly all January 6 defendants upon taking office. The pardons covered approximately 1,575 federal criminal cases, including those involving violent assaults on police officers.
Among those pardoned was Stewart Rhodes, the Granbury-based leader of the Oath Keepers militia who had been sentenced to 18 years for seditious conspiracy. The mass clemency immediately sparked controversy when Andrew Taake, a Houston man pardoned for assaulting officers with bear spray and a metal whip, was arrested two weeks later on an outstanding 2016 charge of online solicitation of a minor.
Today, five years after the attack, experts warn of troubling implications. Former Department of Homeland Security official Elizabeth Neumann, who served under Trump, fears the pardons create “a permission structure for future violence” that undermines the rule of law by signaling that belonging to “the right tribe” provides protection from consequences.
The January 6 attack may have happened five years ago, but for Texas—which supplied more participants than any other state—its reverberations continue to shape politics, justice, and democracy itself.
The investigation into the tragic killing of Caldwell County Deputy Constable Aaron Armstrong has seen significant developments following the January 4 shooting at Club Rodeo in North Austin. Deputy Armstrong, who had been with the Precinct 3 Constable’s Office since late 2024, was working an off-duty security shift when the incident occurred.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the confrontation began just after 2:00 a.m. when Armstrong assisted in removing a patron from the nightclub. The situation escalated in the parking lot where Armstrong, in uniform, identified himself as a peace officer and attempted an arrest.
Authorities acted swiftly, apprehending two suspects within 24 hours:
Thomas Vences (38): Arrested by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Vences faces six charges, including Capital Murder of a Peace Officer. Police noted Vences has an extensive criminal history and was on probation at the time.
Ronaldo E. Colindres-Simon (22): Charged with Assault on a Peace Officer. He is accused of driving over Armstrong’s limbs while fleeing the scene.
Sunday morning’s incident has business owners and residents in the area of North Lamar near the club feeling unsafe.
A Cash App link is the “official place” to send money for the family of Deputy Armstrong.
One person is dead after an incident at a hotel in the Rainey Street area Monday morning.
While no suspect has been detained, officials said they believe the incident was isolated and poses a minimal threat to the public. Multiple witnesses are being interviewed, and detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the area and the hotel. (Austin American-Statesman)
A pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit-and-run incident Sunday.
Kyle police released photos of drugs and guns that were confiscated during several unrelated traffic stops along Interstate 35.
Home video cameras captured details of the fight that led to the fatal stabbing of two Georgetown men in the Sun City retirement community, according to an arrest affidavit. (Austin American-Statesman)
The following fugitives are the Top 12 Most Wanted fugitives in Hays County. They are wanted for violent offenses or offenses against children.
APD is asking for help in identifying and locating a man who allegedly stole from a liquor store last week.
The Austin Fire Department responded to a fire at the clock tower at Quail Creek yesterday.
AFD onscene of a fire in the clock tower at Quail Creek at 9500 Rutland Drive. Rutland drive is shut down between Parkfield Drive and Grouse Meadow Lane. avoid the area. #ATXTraffic pic.twitter.com/Loeo9czdlE
— Austin Fire Dept (@austinfiredept) January 5, 2026
One person died early Monday after a vehicle caught fire in North Austin. (CBS Austin)
Meanwhile, Austin police said they made 128 DWI arrests during an enforcement period from Dec. 12, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026.
Austin City Council has a new Mayor Pro Tem for 2026 in Chito Vela, III.
I am honored to serve as Austin’s Mayor Pro Tem for 2026. I’m grateful to my colleagues on City Council for the trust they’ve placed in me and for the opportunity to help lead our city during an important year. pic.twitter.com/BxTZGjCRu6
— Mayor Pro Tem Chito Vela, III (@chitoforatx) January 5, 2026
finding real solutions to homelessness and housing affordability, improving our transit system, making smart and responsible budget decisions, and ensuring our city invests in the services and infrastructure our communities rely on every day.
— Mayor Pro Tem Chito Vela, III (@chitoforatx) January 5, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem (short for Mayor Pro Tempore) is a Latin phrase meaning “Mayor for the time being.” This is an official role in local government, usually held by a sitting member of the City Council, who acts as the “backup” or deputy to the Mayor.
While the Austin City Charter technically requires the Council to elect one of its members as Mayor Pro Tem at the beginning of each new council term (which occurs every two years), recent practice has seen the Council split these duties into one-year rotations.
Vela replaces Vannessa Fuentes in the position.
A popular Italian restaurant on South Congress has announced it is closing next month.
Defense technology company Perseus Defense is making Buda its headquarters and will bring hundreds of jobs to town.
PODCAST
From fancy New Year’s Eve celebrations to setting intentions and resolutions, and participating in Dry January, traditions abound this time of year in Austin. So, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to debate which annual celebrations of the passage of time we love, and which we hate. Plus, the City Cast Austin team shares a few 2026 resolutions for the City of Austin — including one that appears to already be underway.
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5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Andrew White on Monday announced he was ending his bid for the Democratic nomination to take on Gov. Greg Abbott and threw his support behind state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who is widely seen as the front-runner in the crowded primary.
Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered Texas agencies to boost investigations into subsidized child care fraud following reports of widespread issues in other states.
Dallas County, buoyed by a recent Harris County court win, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the withdrawal of $70 million in public health funds. Texas Tribune)
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is warning Texans to stay alert as mysterious seed packages keep showing up in mailboxes across the state. (KVUE-TV)
AT&T will build a new campus in Plano, dealing a major blow to downtown Dallas. Meanwhile, Plano is becoming a popular destination for headquarters.
Roughly six months after a devastating flash flood claimed the lives of nine people in Travis County, we’re learning more about the many calls for help and how emergency crews were able to respond.
Mexican officials with the National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality have confirmed New World screwworm (NWS) was identified at the end of December in a six-day-old calf in Mexican state of Tamaulipas — 197 miles from the border.
This marks the first reported case in Tamaulipas and the northernmost active detection. (Texas Standard)
A historic U.S. military operation has extracted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from the country. What are the implications, both for Texas and the U.S.? University of Texas global affairs expert Jeremi Suri weighs in on this weekend’s events, including the legality of the Venezuela operation and whether it was about narcoterrorism, oil, or something more.
Speaking of oil, we’ll look at the implications for Texas as a global hub of the petroleum industry.
Plus, the future of oil and gas in the Rio Grande Valley, the rediscovery of a key piece of the state’s colonial history, and a Texas DJ who left a mark on American blues.
(Episode from January 5, 2026)
Opening statements will start today in the trial of a former Uvalde school police officer. Adrian Gonzales was indicted on multiple counts of abandoning a child.
Texas DPS officials have a reminder for drivers in Bexar County.
SPORTS
NBA: The Houston Rockets put up another W last night.
Kevin Durant scored 26 points and his 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds to go lifted the Houston Rockets to a 100-97 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
Last night’s game was briefly delayed because of a malfunction of the clocks and scoreboard before play resumed without either working. (Yahoo! Sports)
Houston is off today while both Dallas and San Antonio see action.
NHL: After a day off Monday, the Dallas Stars return to the ice tronight.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Texas Longhorns will attempt to rebound from a disappointing loss to Mississippi State in their SEC opener over the weekend in Knoxville tonight as they face No. 22 Tennessee.
Knox next 🤘#HookEm | #AlwaysCompete pic.twitter.com/FJWGADTr0i
— Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) January 5, 2026
The Aggies are at Auburn tonight.
Also tonight, it’s the SEC vs Big 12 in a Top 25 showdown.
The latest episode of Texas Parks & Wildlife visits the salty waters of Baffin Bay, Palmetto State Park and more…
