Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is again placing responsibility for the January 6 Capitol riot squarely on President Donald Trump, arguing in a BBC interview that his refusal to accept the 2020 election results led directly to the assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Speaking candidly about Trump’s defeat, Clinton suggested the 2020 loss marked a turning point in his behavior and mindset.

“When he lost in 2020, I think it broke something in him,” she said. “I think he could not believe that he had been turned out, which is why he instigated the attack on our Capitol and why, to this day, he denies the facts of that election.”

The January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol disrupted Congress as lawmakers met to certify the Electoral College results. Rioters breached police lines, forced lawmakers into lockdown and temporarily halted the constitutional transfer-of-power process. The event resulted in multiple deaths connected to the day’s violence and has since led to hundreds of criminal prosecutions.

Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to January 6 and continues to dispute the outcome of the 2020 election, despite state audits, court rulings and Justice Department findings affirming President Joe Biden’s victory.

During the interview, Clinton speculated about what may be driving Trump’s continued rejection of the election results. She questioned whether his actions stem from an emotional inability to accept defeat or something deeper.

“I don’t know whether it was some psychic wound that he cannot heal, or whether he physically and mentally has become so obsessed that he can’t really live in the truth based on evidence,” she said. “I don’t know the answer.”

Clinton also pointed to what she described as changes in Trump’s public demeanor over time, noting that his language and physical behavior appear different compared to a decade ago.

Her comments reflect a broader Democratic argument that January 6 was not merely a protest that spiraled out of control, but the result of sustained pressure from Trump following his election defeat. Congressional investigations, including the now-concluded House January 6 Committee, determined that Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud fueled the unrest.

The former president and his allies, meanwhile, maintain that he encouraged peaceful demonstration and have characterized the riot as being exploited for political purposes.

Clinton’s remarks add to the continuing national debate over accountability for January 6 and the broader question of how the 2020 election aftermath continues to shape American politics.