The Clear and Present Danger to American Democracy

As we reflect on the first year anniversary of the January 6th, 2021 domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol Building that resulted in nine dead, both on the scene and immediately following the events, it is important to understand not only what occurred, but what almost occurred and what may still yet occur. As we soon may see, the clear and present danger to the American Democracy may not be over and may in fact, be growing.

On January 6th, 2021, former President Donald Trump began his attempted coup of American Democracy by holding a rally ironically named “Save America”. Trump falsely claimed that the 2020 election had been stolen by yet unproven national election fraud. Many hardcore Trump supporters arrived at the Capitol, many with the intention of injuring and killing innocent people with violent means. Trump supporters were ultimately seeking to overturn Trump’s defeat by disrupting the joint session of Congress assembled to count electoral votes that would certify President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory.

Trump’s incitement of violence began on the early morning hours of January 6th at 12:53 a.m. when he tweeted that Republicans needed to “get smart" and "fight". At 12:00 p.m. Trump began making multiple false claims of election fraud, pushing the growing mob into a frenzy. At 12:49 p.m. Capitol Police responded to a call about an explosive device at the Republican National Committee. A pipe bomb was also found at the Democratic National Committee. At 12:53 p.m., Trump supporters gathered outside the Capitol and began destroying the Capitol building windows, doors and attacking the police officers stationed there. At that moment, Trump supporters effectively became domestic terrorists. At 1:11 p.m. Trump stoked the fears, anxiety and hatred in his supporters by telling them to "fight like hell" because if they don't, "you're not going to have a country anymore." It would be seen later that many of the terrorists targeted specific individuals, like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Vice-President Mike Pence. A makeshift gallows was built outside the Capitol by some of the terrorists with the intention of hanging Pence for “failing” to stop the certification.

Trump supporters took his statements not as political rhetoric, but as actual orders from the Commander-In-Chief to inflict violence on anyone or anything that may attempt to certify the election. This speech motivated more Trump supporters to leave the rally and proceed to the Capitol with violent intent. At 1:26 p.m., Capitol Police ordered the evacuation of the Library of Congress, Madison Building and the Cannon House Office Building. At 1:45 p.m., Trump supporters attacked Capitol Police, pushing past officers to attempt to reach the Senate floor. At that point, Capitol Police announce it is "now effectively a riot." It would not be until 4:17 p.m., over three hours after the “Save America” rally ended, that Trump posted a video on social media, repeating the baseless election fraud lies and telling rioters, "We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now…”

Later investigations into the January 6th attack would uncover that several Republican Congressional members were directly involved and co-conspired in the planning of the treasonous events which would later turn deadly. The representatives named in the investigation included Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), and Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.).  The most shocking facts uncovered were about Rep. Gosar. Sources provided that Rep. Gosar requested a “blanket pardon in an unrelated ongoing investigation to encourage them to plan the protests.” Rep. Gosar told the other named Congressmen that the blanket pardon was a “done deal” and that he had “talked about it to the President in the Oval.” Five people died during and following the Capitol attack. One domestic terrorist, Ashli Babbit was fatally shot while attempting to crawl through the side window of a locked set of doors with violent intent immediately outside the House Chamber. Four officers who responded to the attack died by suicide within seven months. Numerous people were injured, including 138 police officers.

The events of January 6th, 2021 was more than just a riot consisting of domestic terrorists destroying federal property. It was an attack on the principles of American Democracy. For the first time, an ego maniacal would-be tyrant attempted to overthrow the personal liberties of 330 million Americans, destroy 200 years of democracy and turned some Republican voters into domestic terrorists intent on injuring and murdering any innocent people that would certify the dutifully held and audited Presidential election of 2020. This was not just an attack on the Capitol, the Capitol Police and Congress. This was a personal attack on you, me and 330 million Americans.

Trump became the clear and present danger to American Democracy on January 6th, 2021. Donald Trump was known by his family and friends to have significant psychological issues stemming from lacking his father’s approval. Trump could not bear to be labeled a “loser”, as his father had stated to him repeatedly when he was a young man. Desperate for any excuse or reason to hold onto power and the spotlight, Trump created a false reality for himself and his supporters. This false reality would turn some supporters into murderous terrorists.

It is interesting to note that Trump had always publicly admired strongmen who had taken political power and held it far past what their election terms would allow. An obvious warning sign, Trump had publicly lauded political dictators like Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jinping of China and Kim Jong-un of North Korea. Most alarming, Trump would support Xi Jinping on every issue, even the altering of the Chinese constitution to abolish term limits and become a full-fledged dictator. As time went on, it became more and more obvious that Trump hoped to implement the same paradigm in the United States.

Before, during and after the “Save America” rally, Trump repeatedly expressed the idea that former Vice-President Pence should send the votes “back to the states” for re-certification. He tweeted that it's "time for extreme courage" and that Pence needs to "stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country." If not, Trump said he'll be "very disappointed" in his vice president. These are allusions towards undermining the constitutional process of certifying the votes of a duly elected President. Trump also personally inquired about invoking martial law to “re-run” or reverse the election. It is important to note that there is no constitutional process that would allow a “reversal” or “re-run” of an election. Also, the Vice-President has no power to “send the votes” back to the states. The act of certifying the votes on January 6th is more of a ceremonial process than anything else.

Over 30 members of anti-government groups, including the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers and the Three Percenters were charged with conspiracy for allegedly planning their attacks on the Capitol. Over 700 people in total have been charged with crimes relating to the violent attack on the Capitol, many with no affiliation or extremist backgrounds. It was noted that many of Trump’s terrorists exhibited the classic signs of cult followers.

Trump has announced a new rally in Arizona on January 15th, 2022. As legal cases pursuing Trump for a myriad of violations and crimes pile up and the January 6th Committee inches closer, Trump is becoming increasingly desperate. If given the opportunity, Trump would assume power once again, hellbent on destroying American liberties and freedoms for his own personal gain and legal immunity from prosecution. As stated by one of the founding fathers and first President George Washington in 1790, "The establishment of our new Government seemed to be the last great experiment for promoting human happiness." Trump is a clear, present and growing danger to you, me and all 330 million Americans and must not be allowed to assume political power ever again. If he does, the great experiment known as the United States of America with all of its liberties and freedoms may come to a very brutal and violent end.