I was and am appalled by the events of Jan. 6.
Certainly, President Trump incited this insurgency. Those Republicans who support him and parroted his lies of voter fraud and that the election was stolen from him share blame. Those millions of Americans who support Trump and want to believe his lies bear at least some responsibility.
Of course, the insurgents themselves were responsible for the events. It greatly disturbs and saddens me that there was much more than just a hint of white nationalism in the insurgency: Trump’s nationalist rhetoric throughout his presidency; the pale complexion of most insurgents; the members of known white supremacist and neo-Nazi organizations who led the assault; the unprepared, ill-equipped and out-staffed Capitol Police having to provide security in the face of this enormous white mob; the hours these insurgents were allowed to hunt Congressmen and women, threaten Congressional staff, sack and pillage the Capitol building before backup forces arrived; how the insurgents were treated more like unruly schoolchildren than a threat to democracy they are.
Our nation has made significant progress toward being the true democracy it is should and can be ... I believed this progress had broader support among all Americans. The past four years and this insurrection, which threaten our progress, must be condemned by those who believe all of us are entitled to the equal rights, justice and opportunity promised by our nation’s Constitution as amended and other founding documents.
Charles Lee KirbyHesperus
