Like many others, I watched in horror on January 6, 2021, as an angry crowd carrying Trump-supporting and Confederate flags broke barriers, fought with police, and broke their way into the United States Capitol, many of them chanting “Hang Mike Pence,” as they tried to stop the certification of an election that Donald Trump lost.
Since then, I have continued to watch in disbelief as many Republicans have sought to whitewash what happened–or who describe the events of that day in a way that only exists in an alternate, fantasy reality. I have seen individuals who were hiding underneath chairs and who were helping to blockade doors…individuals who were rushed to safety by brave police…now claim that what happened that day was “just like an ordinary tour.” I have seen individuals who at the time recognized the need to hold accountable those who incited that insurrection back away from and deny their original statements–and refuse to accept a bipartisan commission to investigate what happened and why…a commission that had been created by members of both the Republican and Democratic parties…a commission which would have included no members of Congress in order to focus on the events, not politics.
As it has become clear that there was no real interest from the GOP in finding out what happened and why, Nancy Pelosi created a select committee…and invited the Republicans to name members. Five were named–two denied because of words and actions that indicated they were not interested in finding the truth. Three others were accepted, even though they had voted not to certify the election. But Speaker Pelosi believed that they were willing to listen for the truth. The Senate minority leader apparently was not willing–and he pulled all GOP members from the committee.
Two other Republicans were invited to join the committee. They did–and have been excoriated by other members of their party for their decision.
On the first day of hearings, the committee heard from four police officers who were present and attacked that day: US Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, and Metropolitan Police officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges. Their testimonies are difficult to listen to–but necessary to hear. Who didn’t listen, though? Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell–congressional minority leaders. They weren’t interested enough to hear from individuals who put their lives on the line to try to keep them safe? What a slap in the face!
And while there have been numerous “Back the Blue” postings during summer protests, those same memes and statements of support have been sadly lacking on behalf of these officers and others like them who put their lives on the line to protect our democracy.
What will be the outcome? I think it’s important to read the opening statements of both Republicans on the committee–both Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney. Neither were particularly excited to be named to the committee but both feel it important to understand the events of January 6 in order to hopefully keep it from happening again.
Cheney’s final questions are important ones for all of us:
America is great because we preserve our democratic institutions at all costs. Until January 6th, we were proof positive for the world that a nation conceived in liberty could long endure. But now, January 6th threatens our most sacred legacy. The question for every one of us who serves in Congress, for every elected official across this great nation, indeed, for every American is this: Will we adhere to the rule of law? Will we respect the rulings of our courts? Will we preserve the peaceful transition of power? Or will we be so blinded by partisanship that we throw away the miracle of America? Do we hate our political adversaries more than we love our country and revere our Constitution? I pray that that is not the case. I pray that we all remember, our children are watching, as we carry out this solemn and sacred duty entrusted to us. Our children will know who stood for truth, and they will inherit the nation we hand to them — a Republic, if we can keep it.
May it be so.
Preacher's Kid 