Opinion: Donald Trump's influence is fading

(CNN) You'd be forgiven for thinking that the first anniversary of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol would be a day reserved for solemn reflection. Former President Donald Trump, however, seems to think it should be a day we all pay attention to him. He plans to mark it with one of his favorite indulgences: a press conference where he'll likely repeat lies about the election he lost and attack fellow Republicans who disagree with him.

"I will be having a news conference on January 6th at Mar-a-Lago to discuss all of these points, and more," said the former president in a statement so jammed with outlandish claims and trolling asides that it reads as if he dictated it in a single, excited breath.

Holding the press conference is an appalling choice that dishonors those who died from the hours-long battle between police and Trump loyalists who wanted to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election win. But Trump has two apparent goals: he wants to perpetuate false claims of election fraud and rewrite history with the lie that the attack was merely an "unarmed protest" in response to the "rigged election," as his press release states. By making these false claims, he also wants to tighten his grip on the GOP by excoriating those who refuse to go along with his alternate version of reality.

On both counts, Trump's stunt suggests a man operating not from a place of confidence and strength, but of anxiety and confusion. Anyone following the House select committee on January 6 would understand why. News from the committee indicates they are focused on Trump and his inner circle, with the possibility they could make criminal referrals to the Justice Department, sources told CNN . In the meantime, key figures like rally organizer Ali Alexander are cooperating with the committee.

It's clear the former President wants to shore up his standing within the party -- but taking in his efforts to stay relevant in the last year, it's safe to say his power is limited. Sure, Trump has played an outsized role in shaping the GOP; his lies about election fraud have taken hold within the party, Republican-controlled states have passed a number of voter restriction laws and he's ushered in an era of increasing extremism. But now that he no longer holds the highest office in the land, Trump himself is far from the kingmaker he wants to be.