It’s not debatable. The attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an act of domestic terrorism. Republicans are taking issue with that description, saying the protesters were simply expressing their dissatisfaction with an election result they did not accept. They’re also accusing President Joe Biden of politicizing the events of that day. What? Of course, it was political. They were trying to stop the certification of the 2020 election!
Let’s make the case. First, look at the definition of terrorism:
“…the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, but it can also apply to non civilians in the pursuit of political aims.”
Second, let’s break it down.
They [the rioters] had a political aim, check. It was violent, check.
What was the political aim? The political aim of those who stormed the capital was to stop the certification of the electoral college. They called their rally, which was the prerequisite to their attack: Stop the steal. That’s what they called it.
And then when they raided the U.S. Capitol, their expressed intent was to stop the process from being certified. A constitutionally mandated process.
That process is rooted in our U.S. Constitution. They wanted to stop it. Is that not political?
As for the violence and intimidation: more than 100 Capitol police offers were injured, one died as a result of his injuries on that day, and others died from suicide in the aftermath. The Capitol sustained real damage, and people hid in fear for their lives.
Why does it matter? If any of the offenses are categorized as domestic terrorism, longer sentences could be in order.
And let’s not ignore how race is playing out here.
I guarantee you, if this would’ve been a black mob or a mob with the last name Mohammed, they would’ve called this an act of terrorism, but because this was a majority white mob – yeah, I’m going there – because this was a majority white mob, they’re getting the benefit from the narrative even from the powers that be, that generally disagree with them.
It’s time the right stand up for America rather than only standing up for Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden gave a speech about what happened last year on January 6th. He said the country has to unite. We need to move forward in a bipartisan way. And he laid the blame where it should be laid: at the foot of Donald J. Trump, former president of the United States.
All of that is accurate, all of that is true, but unfortunately we are now living in a societal construct where we debate facts as if they’re debatable. We look at truth and think there’s an alternative to it.
Let’s be clear about January 6th. January 6th was actually by definition, a terrorist attack against the United States of America.
Let me make the case.
What is the definition of terrorism? It’s simple. The definition of terrorism is, and I quote, the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, but it can also apply to non civilians in the pursuit of political aims.
They had a political aim, check. It was violent. Check.
What was the political aim? The political aim of those who stormed the capital was to stop the certification of the electoral college. They called their rally, which was the prerequisite to their attack: Stop the steal. That’s what they called it.
And then when they raided the U.S. Capitol, their expressed intent was to stop the process from being certified. A constitutionally mandated process.
That process is rooted in our U.S. Constitution. They wanted to stop it. Is that not political? Did they not use violence and intimidation to do so?
Over 100 capitol police officers were injured. Multiple police officers from the Capitol committed suicide afterwards, many were injured. Property was destroyed. People were in fear. Elected officials were in fear of their lives. They said to even hang Mike Pence.
How is this is not an act of domestic terrorism?
I guarantee you, if this would’ve been a black mob or a mob with the last name Mohammed, they would’ve called this an act of terrorism, but because this was a majority white mob – yeah, I’m going there – because this was a majority white mob, they’re getting the benefit from the narrative even from the powers that be, that generally disagree with them.
There was no reason why Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris should not call this exactly what it is. An act of domestic terrorism in the United States of America.
Now, Lindsey Graham and others are accusing Joe Biden of being political, of politicizing what happened. It was a political event and the event itself was to stop a political and mandated by constitution process.
At what point are these individuals going to actually stand up for America and stop only standing up for Donald Trump?
Dr. Rashad Richey
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It’s not debatable. The attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an act of domestic terrorism. Republicans are taking issue with that description, saying the protesters were simply expressing their dissatisfaction with an election result they did not accept. They’re also accusing President Joe Biden of politicizing the events of that day. What? Of course, it was political. They were trying to stop the certification of the 2020 election!
Let’s make the case. First, look at the definition of terrorism:
Second, let’s break it down.
As for the violence and intimidation: more than 100 Capitol police offers were injured, one died as a result of his injuries on that day, and others died from suicide in the aftermath. The Capitol sustained real damage, and people hid in fear for their lives.
How is this is not an act of domestic terrorism? (An unclassified report even warns we may see lone wolf terror attacks in the future.)
Why does it matter? If any of the offenses are categorized as domestic terrorism, longer sentences could be in order.
And let’s not ignore how race is playing out here.
It’s time the right stand up for America rather than only standing up for Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden gave a speech about what happened last year on January 6th. He said the country has to unite. We need to move forward in a bipartisan way. And he laid the blame where it should be laid: at the foot of Donald J. Trump, former president of the United States.
All of that is accurate, all of that is true, but unfortunately we are now living in a societal construct where we debate facts as if they’re debatable. We look at truth and think there’s an alternative to it.
Let’s be clear about January 6th. January 6th was actually by definition, a terrorist attack against the United States of America.
Let me make the case.
What is the definition of terrorism? It’s simple. The definition of terrorism is, and I quote, the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, but it can also apply to non civilians in the pursuit of political aims.
They had a political aim, check. It was violent. Check.
What was the political aim? The political aim of those who stormed the capital was to stop the certification of the electoral college. They called their rally, which was the prerequisite to their attack: Stop the steal. That’s what they called it.
And then when they raided the U.S. Capitol, their expressed intent was to stop the process from being certified. A constitutionally mandated process.
That process is rooted in our U.S. Constitution. They wanted to stop it. Is that not political? Did they not use violence and intimidation to do so?
Over 100 capitol police officers were injured. Multiple police officers from the Capitol committed suicide afterwards, many were injured. Property was destroyed. People were in fear. Elected officials were in fear of their lives. They said to even hang Mike Pence.
How is this is not an act of domestic terrorism?
I guarantee you, if this would’ve been a black mob or a mob with the last name Mohammed, they would’ve called this an act of terrorism, but because this was a majority white mob – yeah, I’m going there – because this was a majority white mob, they’re getting the benefit from the narrative even from the powers that be, that generally disagree with them.
There was no reason why Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris should not call this exactly what it is. An act of domestic terrorism in the United States of America.
Now, Lindsey Graham and others are accusing Joe Biden of being political, of politicizing what happened. It was a political event and the event itself was to stop a political and mandated by constitution process.
At what point are these individuals going to actually stand up for America and stop only standing up for Donald Trump?
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