Courtesy of Bastrop Advertiser
Jan. 21, 2021
By Joni Ashbrook
Former President Donald Trump’s failed coup wasn’t a surprise because for weeks white supremacists and QAnon followers planned on internet forums how or if they were going to “kill cops, kill security guards, kill federal employees and agents, and demand a recount.”
Those domestic terrorists believed Trump’s “big lie” that the 2020 election was stolen by voters in predominately Black communities.
Trump’s “big lie” is probably the greatest threat our democracy has ever faced, but his Republican enablers took that lie and spread it like herpes at an orgy.
People are furious at Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley because they spearheaded the objections to the Electoral College votes in the House and Senate fueling Trump’s lie.
Then there are Republicans like Texas Rep. Michael McCaul who admitted on KUT that Trump shares some of the blame for the violence.
McCaul said they all knew what Cruz and other Republicans were doing was just “political theater” and he thought it contributed to inciting violence.
And yet McCaul didn’t vote to impeach Trump, but said he fears “there may be more facts that come light” leaving him “on the wrong side of this debate.”
McCaul’s statements are disturbing on so many levels because he’s admitting Republicans knew Cruz and other confederates were spewing the lie for political gain.
These Republicans couldn’t see how dangerous that lie was? They didn’t care how families and friends are splitting over Trump’s lie, or the danger of casting doubt on the integrity of a fair election?
Maybe after years of covering up Trump’s outrageous behavior it was natural to just go along or remain silent. Either way, those Republicans that didn’t shout the truth that Joe Biden won the election are complicit in this horrific event.
And the thought that McCaul needs “more facts” makes me question if he has the judgment to be in Congress, or even drive an ice cream truck.
In August, Trump claimed the election would be “rigged” if he lost, and he wouldn’t commit to a peaceful transfer of power. Just imagine if Republicans had forcefully called Trump out for those antidemocratic statements. Where would we be today?
Before the votes were all counted, Trump claimed victory. He lied for months enraging these dangerous groups he called “fine people” and asked to “stand by.”
These armed groups practiced sedition in Michigan with their failed attempt to kidnap the governor for her coronavirus lockdown orders. Trump didn’t denounce them but trashed the governor.
On Jan. 4, Trump said: “We’re going to take what they did to us on November 3rd. We’re going to take it back.”
Trump invited his hate army to Washington DC on Jan. 6, saying it would be “wild.” Then he gave them their marching orders, “You’ll never take back our country with weakness, you have to show strength.”
During the violence Trump tweeted: “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country,” causing the mob to chant, “Hang Mike Pence.” They had a gallows erected and missed getting Pence by 60 seconds.
After hours of horrific violence, Trump finally put out a video to his hate army telling them to go home and “We love you.”
Then Trump lied saying he ordered the National Guard after rioters stormed the Capitol, but Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller said he spoke to Vice President Mike Pence.
I applaud the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump. Rep. Dan Newhouse admitted, “Others, including myself, are responsible for not speaking out sooner.”
People deserve to finally hear the truth from all Republicans.
