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.
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.
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.
