President Joe Biden has condemned what he describes as an “unrelenting effort” to downplay the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump. In an opinion piece published in The Washington Post, Biden contrasted the chaos of that day with his promise of an orderly transition as Trump prepares to return to power for a second term.

Biden recalled the events of Jan. 6, 2021, writing, “violent insurrectionists attacked the Capitol.” He emphasized the resilience of American democracy, stating, “We should be proud that our democracy withstood this assault. And we should be glad we will not see such a shameful attack again this year.”

On Monday, Congress will convene amid a snowstorm in Washington to certify Trump’s victory in the November election, with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over the session. Unlike the previous certification, no violence or procedural objections are expected, marking a return to the tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power.

Despite Trump’s continued denial of his 2020 election loss and his public musings about staying beyond the Constitution’s two-term limit, Biden assured that the election would be certified peacefully. He invited Trump to the White House on January 20 and confirmed his attendance at Trump’s inauguration, despite Trump skipping Biden’s inauguration in 2021.

Biden stressed the importance of remembering Jan. 6, 2021, as a day when democracy was tested and prevailed. “We should commit to remembering Jan. 6, 2021, every year. To remember it as a day when our democracy was put to the test and prevailed. To remember that democracy — even in America — is never guaranteed,” he wrote.

In his comments to reporters, Biden reiterated that the history of Jan. 6, 2021, should not be rewritten or forgotten. He highlighted his administration’s efforts to ensure a smooth transition of power, contrasting it with the tumultuous handover four years ago.

Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, leaders of the congressional investigation into the Capitol riot, recognizing their efforts to uphold democracy. When asked if he still viewed Trump as a threat to democracy, Biden responded, “I think what he did was a genuine threat to democracy. I’m hopeful we’re beyond that now.”