January 6th Provides Us a Choice and Warning

President Biden has in the past spoken about the threats to democracy in place in the United States today. He again used the anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol (which was not just a "riot") to talk about it and show the ultimate difference between him and Trump.

This is not rhetorical, academic, or hypothetical.  Whether democracy is still America’s sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time, and it’s what the 2024 election is all about.  

The Supreme Court granting the case out of Colorado underlines the stakes here. We can assume (wrongly) they can punt -- though there is a small chance (based on principle and a bit of pragmatism) they would not -- but we know an "insurrection" occurred.

For the first time in our history, insurrectionists had come to stop the peaceful transfer — transfer of power in America — first time — smashing windows, shattering doors, attacking the police. 

Jamelle Bouie had a forceful op-ed underlining Trump is an insurrectionist. Kevin Kruse (the historian) provided the receipts to show Republicans repeatedly agreed, up to and including the top members of each house of Congress. President Biden also references this, including how they are now signing another tune. This includes all the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives, chosen by "moderates" too, endorsing him. 

Trump engaged in insurrection. 

Since Biden used Revolutionary War imagery, I'll quote the Declaration of Independence.  "Let facts be submitted to a candid world." 

And because Donald — because of Donald Trump’s lies, they died because these lies brought a mob to Washington. 

The insurrection (not only "attempted" since they did invade and delay) was because of him. It was not a single speech on January 6th. It was an extended set of actions before and after the election. Prosecutions on ongoing regarding these actions, including in Georgia. This includes action and inaction DURING the attack.

The entire nation watched in horror.  The whole world watched in disbelief.  And Trump did nothing. 

Members of his staff, members of his family, Republican leaders who were under attack for the — at that very moment pled with him: “Act.  Call off the mob.” 

Imagine had he gone out and said, “Stop.” 

And still, Trump did nothing.  It was among the worst derelictions of duty by a president in American history: an attempt to overturn a free and fair election by force and violence.

After we fought a Civil War, the people ratified amendments to set forth a new birth of freedom. Slavery was ended. Basic rights were applied to all with additional congressional power to enforce them. Voting rights were expanded. Included in this batch of things was a recognition that certain people were constitutionally unfit for office unless a supermajority of Congress decided otherwise. Trump is such a person. As an impeachment manager noted, he will keep on doing it. To quote Biden once more.

Trump’s assault on democracy isn’t just part of his past.  It’s what he’s promising for the future.  He’s being straightforward.  He’s not hiding the ball. 

This is a reason why amnesty by Congress is wrongheaded. Not that this approach is suggested by many other than the random, misguided sorts. Congress granted amnesty over time after the Civil War with the belief the danger had passed. (See, e.g., this excellent op-ed by Gerard N. Magliocca challenging the Supreme Court to not usurp congressional power here.) The danger has not passed. 

The ballot is an essential check in a constitutional democracy (which is also a republic). There are other checks. Impeachment, for instance, which for Trump was done twice but probably not enough. The number of constitutional provisions he violated alone underlines this. A report released brings back the forgotten emoluments issue:

The Democrats on the House Oversight Committee today released a 156-page report showing that when he was in the presidency, Trump received at least $7.8 million from 20 different governments, including those of China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Malaysia, through businesses he owned. 

It is sometimes hard to understand the stakes while you go about your own lives. I surely understand this. There is a reason, for instance, that we have special days for things that should be honored each day. (For instance, Mother's Day; my niece just had a baby. Welcome to the world, Aiden John.) There is a need to specifically memorialize these things though we should also by a myriad of little and big things do so other times.

Some feel the stakes more than others such as those deprived of abortion rights because Trump had the power to pick three Supreme Court justices. Still, we all are affected by these things. And, not just because he and the Republicans in power affect us all. 

Our very sense of being Americans is at stake here. I am appalled that Trump is still the leading option for one of the two major parties. The best alternative is Nikki Haley, who recently couldn't bear to admit the Civil War was about slavery. She in the past supported Trump. You figure if he's the nominee, she will again.

Each generation has its moments. For some, it was World War II. Then, there was the assassination of JFK. The big one for me was 9/11. I saw smoke miles away and passed a church where continual funerals took place. I heard a reporter's voice in shock that the second tower fell.

We have a new one though Generation Alpha or whatever it is called is having its first big one here too. It continues today. Trump is still out there. Republicans supporting him lead the House of Representatives. Those who support him (or enable him) are believed by many experts to be likely to control the Senate after the next election (this disgusts me).  There are too many, too damn man, people out there willing to let this happen.

We have and continue to be warned. We also have a choice. I will end on a positive. The jobs report provides very good news. Abortion rights won various places. A trans person became a state senator. There are many people of goodwill, fighting every day to provide us a joyful world. A majority of the people (yes, it didn't quite matter in 2016) know the stakes. 

The beginning of the year provides a chance. Let's do well.