Burr Ridge Mayor: Jan. 6 Riot 'Stain' On U.S. History

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso said Thursday that the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol was a "stain" on U.S. history.

But Grasso, who is running as a Republican for chairman of the DuPage County Board, did not address President Donald Trump's handling of the riot in his post.

In a social media post, Grasso noted the rioters' violence and property damage. In reflecting on the "historic ugliness" of that day, he said, some will undoubtedly grin.

"It was not a peaceful protest through any lens and will be a stain on the history of our republic," he said. "Many offenders, some rightly convicted, publicly recanted, and regretted their actions, often genuinely apologizing to those they harmed."

U.S. institutions demonstrated their resilience, with the rioters unable to thwart Congress' obligation to certify the 2020 presidential results, the mayor said.

"No proof then or since, no matter that many in the country did not want the outcome, has credibly supported a stolen 2020 election argument, despite genuine strong beliefs to the contrary," Grasso said.

On his first day back in the White House, Trump pardoned Jan. 6 rioters. Patch left a text message with Grasso about his position on that action.

Asked about that, Grasso told Patch that the pardons of Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys, Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers and others who were violent or purposely damaged property were not justified.

Grasso's statement of criticism of the rioters goes further than many in his party. Trump's White House describes the Jan. 6 protesters as "peaceful" and "orderly."

Grasso, who is seen as a more moderate Republican, faces little political risk in condemning Jan. 6 rioters. He is running unopposed in the March GOP primary.

In 2022, Grasso lost the Republican race for Congress to MAGA enthusiast Keith Pekau, then Orland Park's mayor, who went on to lose to Democratic incumbent Sean Casten.