‘Big protest in D.C. on January 6th,” Mr. Trump tweeted on Dec. 19, just one of several of his tweets promoting the day. “Be there, will be wild!”
Although some problems should have been anticipated, no one would have believed that this demonic dictator of a president was planning a coup. There was no preparedness to thwart the mobs (an estimated 2,000 thugs) that flooded the Capitol. They were equipped with guns, tear gas, metal pipes, zip cords, Molotov cocktails, clubs, Confederate and Trump flags, all the while shouting outrageous epithets — “Hang Pence”, “Kill Pelosi”, “Trump was cheated”, “They stole the vote.” One of the reporters said a group of these blood-thirsty domestic terrorists had set up a make-shift gallows, ready to kill!
The sights we viewed on television were frighteningly horrible — people scrambling for safety, glass shattering, looting, guns drawn, locked doors battered open, eyes filled with fear, staring out from barricades. In contrast, marauders’ eyes filled with hate!
As a kid, I remember bullies trying to hurt us, and we would answer, “Sticks and stones will break our bones, but words can never hurt us.” How naive we were! It’s lies, repeated over and over again, that are the most damaging and difficult to overcome. We see how effective Trump’s lies have been — the riots he has incited — and his evil plan to supersede all the 60 court rebuffs of his lying claim that the election was fraudulent. Here is a direct quote from (Republican) federal appeals court judge, Stephanos Bibas, in response to the president’s effort to halt Pennsylvania’s certification in November. “Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here.”
Unfortunately, we witnessed and learned a great deal about our vulnerability on Jan. 6:
Racism and white privilege were never more apparent as when these vicious white trespassers invaded the Capitol. They were almost given a free pass of entry by the D.C. Police, some of whom actually cooperated with the marauders, and with some officers even taking photo selfies with them. We know the police would have gunned down a group of black protesters if they merely breached the marching area.
The National Guard was desperately needed to stop the madness, but they must have federal authority to be ordered to act. Trump blocked the deployment. (This answers the question of why, less than two months before Biden’s inauguration, Trump fired Homeland Security officers, and re-placed them with young inexperienced men lacking knowledge and experience. Trump felt assured they would not use their newfound authority.
Trump’s evil ideas to overtake the government were pre-planned long before the 2020 election. Early in 2017, Trump stated he thought he should be president for all time. (It was supposed to have been a joke.) His Pied-Piper showmanship provided him a huge following. Without concern for the nation or the worsening pandemic, and caring only for the selfish power of the presidency, Trump persisted with his grand lie.
Section 4 of Article 2 of the Constitution states, “The President, Vice President, and all Civil Officers of the United States shall be removed from office on Impeachment for and Conviction of Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Certainly there is no doubt Trump qualifies for any and all of these misdeeds, and should be removed from the presidency.
The 25th Amendment of the Constitution (Section 4) may also be invoked to remove the President from office. The Vice President and a majority of principal officers of the Executive Department (the Cabinet) “must present in written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” Vice President Pence has refused to invoke this amendment. Pence, and several other Republican Trump supporters, including, but not limited to Senators Cruz and Hawley, are anxious to use Trump’s popular voter base for their own political aspirations and possible 2024 presidential runs.
My fears extend beyond Trump’s removal from office. His well-honed angry mob will try again, instigated by Trump even when he’s out of office. I’m deeply concerned for the state of our country. Yet I look forward to and welcome President Biden and Vice President Harris to their honored and duly-elected positions as administrators of our nation’s leadership. It is my hope that these domestic terrorists who caused five deaths and many injuries as well as damage to our Capitol, will be arrested and prosecuted for their crimes.
May we look forward to calming the present chaos, controlling and eliminating violence, being guided by truth and facts, and restoring faith in our government. However, how can we replace the lies with truth? And how can we reverse hate?
Let us sincerely be the nation that can proudly prove to the world we value and represent peace, truth and justice for all.
