ABBAS ALAWIEH STATEMENT ON FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF JANUARY 6TH U.S. CAPITOL ATTACK

Alawieh, who was working inside the Capitol on January 6, recounts the attack on our democracy

Dearborn, MI – On the fifth anniversary of the attack on the United States Capitol, Michigan State Senate District 2 Candidate and former Congressional Chief of Staff Abbas Alawieh issued the following statement: 

"Five years ago today, Trump sent a mob to attack Congress in an attempt to illegally overturn the results of the presidential election. I was working inside the Capitol that day. I will never forget the fear I felt, not just for my own life, but for the lives of my Capitol Hill colleagues, and for our country.

"I remember being locked down in our office and receiving a call from my aunt who lives overseas and had herself survived war. Her voice shook as she said, 'I see that your country is under attack. Are you in the building they’re attacking?' My heart sank as I realized that it was our democracy itself that was under attack. Knowing the gravity of that moment, I led an incredible team through our fear and, even as we were under lockdown,  our office introduced legislation to hold accountable those members of Congress who worked to overturn the election.

"As a chief of staff in Congress, I always kept at my desk a printed copy of our schedule from that day and a copy of the Washington Post from the next day. They would remind me of what’s at stake when we do the work of public service.

"As Michigan State Senator, I will always defend our democracy. Speaking out against attacks on our democracy is not a partisan matter, but a patriotic duty. I will reject the idea that for us to make bipartisan progress, we must stay quiet about Trump’s abuses of power. I’ll always be ready to work across the aisle to deliver for our communities. And I will always stand up for what’s right."

Alawieh at his desk in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC in 2023, two years after the U.S. Capitol attack

Abbas Alawieh is a candidate in the Democratic primary election for State Senate in Michigan’s newly drawn District 2, an open seat in 2026 that represents Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Allen Park, Melvindale, and parts of Taylor and Detroit. A product of Dearborn Public Schools and two-time University of Michigan graduate, Alawieh is a public policy leader who has spent his career fighting for policies that uplift working families and advance fairness, transparency, and accountability in government. He previously served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) and as a senior legislative staffer to Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Andy Levin (D-MI), where he helped orchestrate policy action that kept people housed during the pandemic, advanced bipartisan leadership to stop unjust deportations, and removed lead water distribution pipes. Alawieh also served as a Democratic National Convention Delegate in 2024 after leading the pro-peace Uncommitted movement, helping reshape the national conversation on foreign policy.

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To learn more about Alawieh and his campaign, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or YouTube, or visit abbasformi.com. 

Members of the press are encouraged to reach out to media@abbasformi.com with any questions or if they would like to be added to the campaign media list.