In this opinion essay for The New York Times, Elliot Ackerman reflects on why footage from the January 6 Capitol riot reminded him of combat.
Drawing on his experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Fallujah, Ackerman examines the chaos, exhilaration, fear, spectacle, and collective disorientation that can accompany both war and political violence.
The Capitol Riot and the Memory of War
Ackerman describes watching video from inside the Capitol as rioters moved toward the Speaker’s Lobby, culminating in the shooting of Ashli Babbitt.
Violence, Spectacle, and Collective Madness
The essay argues that understanding January 6 requires more than political analysis. It also requires an emotional understanding of violence, nihilism, and the dangerous thrill of historic rupture.
From Combat to Democracy
At its center, the piece asks whether the shared trauma of that day might be transformed into civic responsibility, political cooperation, and a renewed commitment to democratic life.