US television viewers, minus those that watch Fox News, were bombarded with coverage of the January 6 Congressional hearings as they began on June 9. The hearings are part of an investigation into the causes of the Capitol riots that took place on January 6, 2021, aimed at overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election.
From a journalistic point of view, it is hoped by the media that shining a light on the events that took place at the Capitol on that now-infamous day will raise awareness about political arrest in the country. At the same time, politicians from the Democratic Party are hoping to focus on this issue to rally their base for the pivotal 2022 midterm elections this November in spite of generally low enthusiasm.
As well-intentioned as any of this might be, it is horribly out of touch with where people’s concerns are. Poll after poll has shown that voters are concerned about soaring inflation, rising COVID-19 cases, and record fuel prices. The violence at the Capitol some 17 months ago is nowhere to be found among their top concerns.