Videos of the invasion of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
reveal shocking new details that were not part of the live coverage last Wednesday afternoon. And the more the videos reveal - the darker the cloud gets over President Donald Trump and his followers who participated in the act of domestic terrorism.
When we - the people - witnessed the attack on the Capitol last week, we were stunned by the real-life visions of an attack against the building that most represents the seat of American government. In the days immediately following the attack, we were exposed to additional video from the cameras of those involved in the attack; and we became even more distraught.
But over the weekend, new videos released from the rioters themselves painted a much bleaker picture of that horrific reality. Audio from the videos of Trump supporters storming into the Capitol revealed that those Trump supporters were trying to find House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence, both of whom were in the Capitol before the attack. The mob made their intent to take both, and perhaps others, into custody, and the word “kill” could be heard in the context of the rallying cry.
A make-shift noose was set up adjacent to the Capitol that was representative of the Trump supporters’ desire to hang the vice president and possibly others.
Reports also surfaced over the weekend that during the siege, President Trump was comfortably safe in the White House and appeared more concerned about whether his team was as happy as he was that his supporters had moved into the Capitol than he was about acting immediately to stop the violence. The delay in ordering military reinforcements for the Capitol police is interpreted as Trump’s support of the rioters.
Video of Trump supporters trying to destroy the equipment of the media was appalling. But the most shocking video was the scene of Trump supporters beating a Capitol police officer. Using poles, shields, fists and feet, the supporters of President Trump beat and stomped on the police officer who was totally outnumbered. How can Trump supporters ever claim to be for law and order? How can they ever claim to support law enforcement in the wake of that startling video?
Respected Republican General Colin Powell told Fareed Zakaria on CNN over the weekend that his “fellow Republicans” who have failed to criticize President Trump “encouraged, at least, this wildness to grow and grow.” General Powell said that because of what Trump supporters have done, “I can no longer call myself a Republican.”
Powell admitted that he is now an American without a party when he said, “I’m not a fellow of anything right now. I’m just a citizen who has voted Republican, voted Democrat throughout my entire career, and right now I’m just watching my country and not concerned with parties.”
In further disrespect to law enforcement, President Trump refused to order the American flags at the White House lowered to half staff until yesterday. Four days passed; and while flags were lowered out of respect for the Capitol police officer who was killed by rioters at other federal buildings, President Trump remained steadfast in his message not to respect the officer. But backlash grew and Trump was finally pressured to go against his will and show respect for a law enforcement officer killed by his supporters who were riled up to a fever pitch by the President himself.
Now is the time for Republicans and conservatives who were not supportive of the insurgence into the Capitol to distance themselves from President Trump and the Republican Party if the party chooses to make Trump their figurehead. Failure to do so amounts to being complicit in the riots.
Republicans can no longer allow themselves to be shamed by the acronym RINO (Republican In Name Only) because if the Republicans who fit that description fail to stand up for their party - then the Republican Party will remain severely damaged.
Today, calling someone a RINO is basically distinguishing them from the Trump sycophant party that invaded YOUR Capitol building last week.
Support for President Trump never should have been the criteria by which we define Republican and conservative voters.
And beyond RINOs - there are now RATs (Republicans Against Trump).
