Democrat Rep. Ann Kuster Retires, Citing Jan. 6 and Trump’s Return as Factors

Representative Ann Kuster (D-NH) has announced her decision to retire from Congress, citing a mix of personal and political reasons. In interviews with Roll Call and the Boston Globe, the six-term congresswoman made striking claims about the January 6th Capitol riot, including an assertion that former President Donald Trump “tried to kill” her during the insurrection.

Kuster stated that part of her retirement decision stemmed from wanting to set an example for older colleagues who may overstay their time in office. “I had so many different factors going into it, but one of them is I’m trying to set a better example,” she explained, referring to her belief that septuagenarian and octogenarian lawmakers should consider stepping aside for new leadership.

However, Kuster revealed a more personal reason for leaving Congress. “And then there is a part of it related to Donald Trump coming back,” she said. “I was one of the last members of Congress in the gallery on Jan. 6, and as it turns out, we have the security footage that shows it was only 30 seconds from when I was able to evacuate that the insurrectionists were in that hallway hunting for us with zip ties and bear mace and who knows what else.”

In an emotionally charged comment, she added, “I just felt like, he tried to kill me once. I’m not available for it again.” Kuster later tempered the statement in her interview with the Boston Globe, saying, “I’ve said somewhat facetiously, he tried to kill me once, I’m not available for that again. What we went through on Jan. 6 and his attempt to overthrow the government took a toll. That was really hard, and not just personally, but on my ability to work across the aisle.”

🚨NEW🚨

Retiring Democrat Congresswoman Annie Kuster told @rollcall that “[Trump] tried to k*ll me once. I’m not available for it again.” pic.twitter.com/vAmgqMhseP

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 26, 2024

Kuster announced in March that she would not seek reelection, long before Trump’s potential resurgence became clearer. Her final term will conclude on January 3, 2025, just days before the anniversary of the Capitol riot—a date now linked inextricably with her decision.

Kuster’s comments highlight the lingering psychological and political impact of the January 6th insurrection on lawmakers who experienced the event firsthand. Her remarks about the proximity of the rioters to members of Congress, armed with makeshift weapons and other tools, underline her fear for her life that day.

In a video released by Kuster’s office on the third anniversary of the Capitol riots, she revisited her experience. The video depicted her and two other House Democrats narrowly avoiding a group of protesters wandering the halls of the Capitol. In the accompanying narration, she pointed to the footage as evidence of “the threat that Donald Trump poses to our democracy going forward.”

Reflecting on the video, Kuster mused, “I’ve often wondered, ‘What the hell would have happened?’ I don’t know, rip us limb from limb? You know, what are the zip ties and the bear mace all about? They were prepared to take members of Congress either hostage, or kill us right then and there, or at least make us go to the hospital so that we couldn’t have come back to vote that night.”

Her recounting of these events has drawn both empathy and criticism. While some praise her transparency and willingness to share her trauma, others accuse her of exaggerating the threats for political gain. Critics point to her history of heightened rhetoric about the Capitol riots as a potential distraction from substantive policy discussions.

In addition to her concerns about Trump and January 6th, Kuster voiced frustration with public perception of political accomplishments. She expressed disappointment that voters may not attribute infrastructure improvements under President Biden’s administration to Democratic leadership.

“People are going to be driving over brand-new bridges and new highways and cutting 45 minutes off their commute and getting home for dinner on time, and nobody’s going to say, ‘Oh, thank you, Joe Biden,’” she lamented. “They’re probably going to say, ‘Thank you, Donald Trump,’ because they don’t realize that it just takes so long.”

As Kuster prepares to leave Capitol Hill, her remarks serve as both a reflection on her time in office and a critique of the current political climate. Her narrative captures the emotional and partisan divisions exacerbated by the events of January 6, as well as the challenges facing a divided Congress. Whether her departure sets an example for others to follow or sparks further debate, it underscores the enduring impact of a day that continues to reverberate through American politics.