American Sunrise Early Edition – January 6, 2026

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode: American Sunrise Early Edition – January 6, 2026
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This special Early Edition of American Sunrise marks the fifth anniversary of January 6th, 2021—the day the U.S. Capitol was stormed. The episode is centered on reflecting upon the legacy of January 6th, what has happened to those involved (the so-called “J6ers”), ongoing demands for accountability, and how the incident continues to shape American politics and media narratives. Interspersed are in-depth discussions on recent political developments including the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, controversies involving public officials, and a thread of commentary focused on American principles, faith, and freedom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Remembering January 6 – Setting the Stage

• The episode opens with Allison Hans and Brian Glenn emphasizing the significance of the fifth anniversary (“Unbelievable that today is the fifth anniversary of January sixth.” [01:59]).
• Glenn recalls on-the-ground coverage at the Ellipse and witnessing early signs of unrest, highlighting confusion and the subsequent years of controversy and investigation ([02:18]).

Notable Quote:

“As I went to bed last night, I was kind of putting myself like where was I five years ago when this all went down? I remember covering President Trump at the Ellipse … hearing what we would now know as these flashbangs that the Capitol Police set off towards the crowds.”
— Brian Glenn, [02:18]

2. Narratives and Justice: The J6ers’ Perspective

• Allison Hans describes how the left “still uses [January 6] as a political weapon,” raising questions about “security failures, selective prosecutions and due process of thousands of peaceful Trump supporters who were smeared, … hunted, … silenced…” ([04:09])
• The segment transitions to an interview with John Strand, a self-described “J6 political prisoner,” who shares both the emotional and legal journey he’s experienced.

“January 6th can be accurately understood as our nation's Reichstag Fire moment, our American Reichstag. … it was actually set up and predicated by the government with nefarious intent to assign blame…”
— John Strand, [05:54]

Insights from John Strand:

• Personal Impact: He details a violent FBI raid (“20 tactical agents pulverized my door with a battering ram” [08:12]), solitary confinement, and his eventual vindication after refusing a plea deal.
• Political Motivation: Strand connects his personal ordeal to a wider ideological battle for America’s identity and reveals his run for Congress as a direct outcome of his experience.

Notable Quotes:

“The real insurrection was a silent coup happening within the deep state uniparty that helped to facilitate this manufactured riot…”
— John Strand, [07:30]

“I was vindicated by the Supreme Court and then fully exonerated when the DOJ vacated all my charges. But before we got to that glorious victory, we had to go through unbelievable persecution.”
— John Strand, [08:46]

3. Broader Reflections: Faith, Patriotism, and Accountability

• The hosts repeatedly invoke faith, patriotism, and the idea of an America under internal threat. Hans opens the day referencing Romans 8:6 about “life and peace,” linking spiritual and national well-being ([03:40]).
• Both hosts call for “equal justice under the law” and challenge the mainstream narrative, promoting continued activism and scrutiny of government power.
• Glenn suggests it would be “symbolic to send a Republican, a J Sixer, to Washington to represent that district,” referencing John Strand’s congressional bid ([13:51]).

4. World News: Maduro’s Arrest and U.S. Policy

• The episode covers the arrest of Venezuelan ex-leader Nicolás Maduro, noting his court appearance in Brooklyn and the global reverberations of his capture ([14:24]).
• Correspondent David Zier gives a firsthand account from the courthouse, sharing both the public's reactions and skepticism towards the U.S. judicial process for high-profile foreign defendants.

“Maduro didn’t look like a dictator… he did look like a beaten down uncle at one of your daughter’s quinceañeras.”
— David Zier, [15:48]

• The hosts discuss the potential risks of pursuing such high-profile cases in “liberal” New York courts, alluding to political bias ([16:50]).

5. Political & Military Controversies: Mark Kelly and Chain of Command

• The show addresses the controversy over Senator Mark Kelly and other officials encouraging military members to “refuse illegal orders”—actions that led to Kelly being docked pay and publicly censured ([22:29], [23:36]).
• The hosts criticize these officials, expressing confidence that military personnel remain loyal to Trump’s leadership.

“Our troops are not listening to them at all. We pulled off an amazing mission with Midnight Hammer in Iran … They're not listening to them. These are just disgruntled Democrats …”
— Brian Glenn, [22:29]

“Hetseth called Kelly’s statements on the video, quote, sedacious man. Strong words there, Alison.”
— Brian Glenn, [23:36]

6. January 6th, Accountability, and Congressional Voices

• The hosts revisit the events at the Capitol on January 6th, emphasizing the role of outside provocateurs (“not, in fact, Trump supporters … they’re Antifa…”) and denounce the official Congressional investigation as a “Hollywood production… a charade” ([35:27]).
• Congressman Tim Burchett (Tennessee) calls in to share his memory as the last House member to leave the floor that day, further criticizing the investigation as a cover-up:

“It was a charade … it was a production, it was pre planned and it was very apparent … it was a horrible day. … you had some very good people caught up in it, but you had some instigators.”
— Tim Burchett, [36:45]

• Burchett laments a lack of transparency and accountability, highlighting how ordinary people and faith-based groups were swept into investigations without proper cause ([39:00]).

7. Reflections and Takeaways: Media and Political Movement

• David Brody joins for a final segment, arguing that post-January 6 actions by the Biden administration were not only against the individuals involved but were meant to indict and suppress the entire “MAGA movement” ([43:00]).

“They tried to indict all of us, if you think about it. … it wasn’t just against the J6ers. It was against the whole movement … and they wanted to crush it. And I think to me that is the big takeaway…”
— David Brody, [43:00]

• Brody and Glenn express ongoing skepticism of media coverage and governmental motives, shifting to a brief discussion on Venezuela and upcoming news.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Brian Glenn on Jan 6 Memory:
  “As I went to bed last night, I was…putting myself like where was I five years ago…” [02:18]

• John Strand on Patriotism & Entrapment:
  “What I remember most is that inescapable feeling of patriotism. ...unfortunately, what happened is we were entrapped. … assaulted by elements of our own government…” [05:20]

• John Strand on ‘Reichstag Fire’ Parallel:
  “January 6th can be accurately understood as our nation's Reichstag Fire moment, our American Reichstag.” [05:54]

• David Zier on Maduro's Court Appearance:
  “He did look like a beaten down uncle at one of your daughter's quinceaneras, you know, and he was like, oh, I'm an innocent and good man, you know, in the courtroom.” [15:48]

• Brian Glenn on Accountability:
  “We must hold Matthew Graves and everyone else and the FBI and the DOJ accountable, the J6 committee, the Democrats that were on that … That was a fed shrection. That was not an insurrection.” [35:27]

• Tim Burchett on Investigation:
  “It was a charade … it was produced and they had, like a former, I think it was an ABC producer who they brought in … it was a production, it was pre planned…” [36:45]

• David Brody on Political Weaponization:
  “They tried to indict all of us, if you think about it. … it wasn’t just against the J6ers. It was against the whole movement … and they wanted to crush it.” [43:00]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Episode Introduction, Headlines | | 01:44 | Hosts’ Initial Reflections on Jan 6th, Opening Bible Verse | | 05:09 | Interview: John Strand, J6 “Political Prisoner” | | 12:43 | Venezuela: Arrest & Court Appearance of Nicolás Maduro (David Zier Reporting) | | 20:27 | Military Affairs: Mark Kelly Video, Fallout, and “Chain of Command” Discussion | | 32:56 | Brian Glenn’s Eyewitness Account, Capitol Events, and Outside Agitators | | 36:24 | Interview: Rep. Tim Burchett (TN) on Jan 6th Congressional Experience | | 42:34 | David Brody Joins: Reflections on Media, J6 Legacy, and Moving the Conversation | | 44:30 | Brief Venezuela Segment, Brody Perspective |

Tone & Style

• The episode maintains a fervently patriotic, populist, and at times combative tone—skeptical of mainstream narratives and deeply critical of the current political establishment.
• The hosts employ vivid, sometimes emotional language, drawing heavily on imagery of faith, struggle, and injustice.
• Interviews are conversational but pointed, with a focus on personal experience and broader ideological implications.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition is a reflection on the fifth anniversary of January 6th, 2021, seen through the lens of Real America’s Voice. The hosts and guests frame the events of that day as misunderstood, politically weaponized by Democrats, and used as a means to suppress the MAGA movement and patriotic dissent. Featured guest John Strand provides a firsthand account of arrest and incarceration as a January 6th participant, describing an ongoing battle for justice that has spurred him to run for Congress.

Alongside January 6th coverage, the episode branches into current headline events like the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, offering skepticism about the fairness of the U.S. judicial system and its global image, as well as military and government controversies that are framed through a populist-conservative lens. Congressional voices lend credence to the show's claims of cover-up and media manipulation.

Faith, the Constitution, and American values are recurring motifs. Listeners are encouraged to stay vigilant, question official narratives, support new political challengers, and remain united in the fight for “truth, fairness, and a government that plays by its own rules.”