Virginia bans teaching Jan. 6 as peaceful protest or that 2020 election was fraudulent.

Virginia has passed a bill prohibiting public schools from teaching that the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack was a peaceful protest or that widespread election fraud altered the 2020 results. The law mandates instruction describing the event as a violent assault on democratic institutions aimed at overturning Joe Biden’s certified victory. It follows former President Trump’s claims of election fraud and his 2025 pardon of over 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants. The bill, which passed with bipartisan opposition from Republicans, is expected to be signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger. Supporters say it ensures factual education, while critics call it government overreach and ideological indoctrination.