The idea that an attempt to overturn America’s democratic process by terrorists was not met with universal distain tells us a lot about where we are as a country.
One year ago today, domestic terrorists invaded the Capitol - the seat of democracy in America - breaking windows and assaulting police officers in their effort to physically occupy the chambers of Congress and threaten to kill the vice president of the United States. Five people died during the insurgence, and there were countless injuries - some of which were serious.
An investigation into exactly what happened and who knew about the possibility of the attack in advance is still underway, and roadblocks are coming in the form of people with alleged knowledge refusing to cooperate. One has to wonder - what are they hiding?
The fact that a direct attack on America’s precious democratic process did not unite the entire country proves how deeply divided we are politically. The failure to admit that the overwhelming majority of the rioters were supporters of former President Donald J. Trump has tainted the credibility of those who continue to diminish what happened that day one year ago.
By their own admission, the rioters were Trump supporters; and they were acting in accordance with their belief that Trump, himself, wanted them to physically interrupt the declaration that Joe Biden was the new president of the United States (POTUS).
Early defense of the Trump supporters attacking the Capitol came from Republicans and conservative media personalities alleging that those people destroying the Capitol and occupying Congress were, in fact, members of the fringe left group Antifa. That seemed to be the only way of defending what the nation, and the world, were watching unfold live on television.
I was live on the air on that January 6th afternoon, and I was shocked to watch the violent behavior of a group of Americans who refused to accept the results of a fair and legal election. Appalled is the best way to describe my attitude as I related to our audience what was happening as America was under attack - by its own citizens.
If there were Antifa members or renegades among the crazed mob they did not define the group. The group was defined by unhappy Trump supporters. However, it’s important to make this distinction - not ALL Trump supporters supported the actions of the extremists that made up the mob. Not ALL Republicans or conservatives were part of the mob or even sympathized with their mission. We seem to have lost the ability to call out a few without the group coming to the defense of those they do not agree with. There seems to be a new survival instinct in America that groups will defend the actions of even the extremists within their group as a way of protecting the image of the entire group.
The inability of many Republicans, conservatives, and Trump supporters to call out the abhorrent behavior of those who attacked the Capitol further drove a wedge between the two political tribes that continues today.
Facts:
* The seat of American government was attacked by domestic terrorists.
* The attack led to physical destruction of the Capitol.
* Five were killed and countless injured.
* Law enforcement was under attack by Americans.
* Trump supporters fueled and populated the mob.
* Not ALL Trump supporters, Republicans, and conservatives supported the attack.
The aforementioned facts are indisputable - they are FACTS. It is the failure to recognize those facts that has many Americans afraid of where our country is headed and fearful for the protection of our democratic republic.
To be fair - there are extremists on the left that refuse to recognize the violence within their group - but this is January 6 and just because others do the same thing should not excuse the behavior of that group that was inspired to overthrown the results of an American election
Where we go from here is up to us - the people. As long as the facts are altered to fit a narrative - we will forever remain a divided nation.
