The president awarded one of the nation's highest civilian honors to 14 individuals who showed courage and selflessness during the events surrounding the deadly insurrection.
The Presidential Citizens medal was bestowed by Biden at the White House for the first time.
Law enforcement officers, politicians and election workers were targets of threats after the 2020 presidential contest. Three of the medals were posthumously given to the officers who died after defending the Capitol.
Biden told the crowd that America owes them a debt of gratitude.
The recipients were honored for their actions before, during and after the riot, when a violent mob of former President Donald Trump's supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol. The attack came after a joint session of Congress confirmed that Biden had won the presidency.
Lawmakers fled their chambers for several hours because of the mob. Federal officials estimate that the insurrection cost millions of dollars in damages.
Biden didn't mention Trump by name, but he did say that all of it was fueled by lies. A major force in the Republican Party, the former president has already begun a campaign for the White House in four years.
The people prevailed because they did not flinch, according to Biden.
The Capitol Police officer who diverted the rioters toward the Senate chamber was honored. Several officers who were injured during the riot, including Aquilino Gonell and Michael Fanone, were given awards.
The Secretary of State of Michigan and the former Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives were honored for resisting pressure from the Trump campaign. An opponent backed by Trump defeated him in the State Senate race.
Two election workers in Fulton County, Georgia, who faced threats and harassment due to voter fraud conspiracy theories, were awarded by Biden.
Officers Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood and Jeffrey Smith died in the line of duty. Sicknick died after fighting with rioters. Washington's Chief Medical Examiner said at the time that all that transpired played a role in his condition. Liebengood and Smith both took their own lives.
The anniversary of the riot was marked by speeches from Biden and other Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Two years ago, a violent mob of insurrectionists descended on the Capitol in an armed and deadly effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power and reverse the outcome of a free and fair election. Donald Trump is trying to poison American democracy with his big lie.
Lawmakers gathered for a moment of silence with the families of the officers who died in the riot. Hakeem Jeffries is the new House Democratic leader. Jeffries said that the democracy was intact because of those officers.
According to one report, only one Republican was at that event.
The anniversary came as House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California continued his fight to become speaker of the House after failing to get enough votes from his party. McCarthy blamed the president for the riot even though he was against Democrats trying to impeach him. McCarthy responded to the criticism.
There were a few laughs at the White House. The president shook the officer's hand and said, "He can call me President Bidden from now on."
Biden drew laughter when he acknowledged a technical problem in his audio.
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