Two days in the 21st century live in infamy—September 11, 2001, and January 6, 2021.
On September 11, 2001, two hijacked passenger jets slammed into the World Trade Center in New York, a third jet crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth, possibly headed to the Capitol or White House, was brought down by genuine heroes into a field in Pennsylvania.
That morning was a beautiful September day, quite similar to those enjoyed on the Eastern Shore last week. I was at my desk in my office on Vermont Avenue in Washington, D.C., which was only a short walk to the White House. I was on a conference call with several bankers when one of them interrupted the discussion to say, “A plane just crashed into one of the Twin Towers.”
The participants on the call were shaken. I adjourned the call and turned on the television in my office. I watched Katie Couric report on the breaking news events and saw the second Boeing 767 slam into the World Trade Center.
My coworkers in the office gathered around another television. Their concern turned into fear and panic when the third plane hit the Pentagon. An announcement was made shortly thereafter that traffic out of the city would be cut off. I encouraged all employees, fearful another plane would target the White House, to go home.
Only two of us remained in the office. I did not want to get into my car to drive home because there was a mass exodus, and D.C. roads were overwhelmed. My other colleague and I continued working while keeping an eye on the TV.
Later that evening, roads leaving Washington were again passable. I went home, depressed by reports that thousands had died in the Twin Towers collapse and the Pentagon bombing. News reports showed endless clips of the World Trade Center buildings collapsing, first responders running towards the debris, and thick clouds of smoke covering lower Manhattan.
After 23 years, the terrorist attack of September 11 remains fresh in my mind. I am truly grateful that the U.S. has not suffered another attack by a foreign adversary.
Only one other event in those 23 years has upset me as much as 9/11. It was January 6, a day that saw a once inconceivable coup attempt orchestrated by a sitting president of the United States.
On January 6, 2021, I was no longer working as a lawyer in Washington. I was with my wife in Florida. When I walked into the room returning from an errand, I found her crying.
“You’re not going to believe this,” she said, “look.” The TV showed an angry mob storming the Capitol, breaking windows, and using flag poles as spears to throw at police. I sat down–speechless.
As more videos of January 6 appeared in the following days, I recognized specific locations in the Capitol where I had worked decades ago. I recognized the tile floors, the window seats, and specific doors that had been battered. I cried.
On reflection, I recognized that before September 11, I assumed that U.S. security would always protect us from a foreign attack. I no longer make that assumption.
And after January 6, I recognized how fragile democracy is. I no longer believe America is the globe’s greatest hope for democracy because too many of my fellow citizens no longer believe in it. I also realized that, but for the grace of God, Donald Trump would have succeeded on January 6. Maybe Mike Pence would have been intimidated into not certifying the election results. Maybe Pence, Pelosi and others would have been killed, clearing the way for Donald Trump to declare Martial Law, declare the election invalid, and remain in office as president.
All of us should reflect on both September 11 and January 6 this week. These two days of infamy remind us that freedom is not free, and democracy is not automatic. To preserve both, we need to do the work. That work is voting and voting only for candidates who cherish freedom and democracy and who see the Constitution as the best means of achieving them.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant. He writes on politics, government, and, too infrequently, other subjects.
Mickey Terrone says
Hello John. Points well taken about 9/11 and January 6th. Thank you for the reminders.
Twenty three years ago today, we were all shocked and dismayed at the attack on our country but soon were able to identify the enemies that perpetrated this violence on our country, symbolized by the World Trade Center structures in New York City.
The more recent January 6th attack on our country was insidious, planned and instigated by the then President of the United States of America himself.
While the World Trade Center attack killed several thousand innocents in Osama Bin Laden’s effort to harm America, Trump’s effort to bring down our democratic republic’s electoral process was in some ways, even more disrespectful of and a greater long term threat to our national traditions and values. That he dragged hundreds of deluded people down into the violence of an angry mob is an unforgivably heinous act. That he still denies he lost the 2020 election and considers the violence of January 6th to be patriotic acts and those jailed convicts “political prisoners” is obscene. Neverminding the lack of evidence for any of his claims, he continually appeals to his unthinking “followers” that he is being victimized.
Now, in his desperation, he is dragging American political discourse further down to arrive at “They’re eating the dogs and they’re eating the cats”. They’re eating the pets of the people who live there (Springfield, Ohio). He is overtly inciting hatred against people of color. His anti-immigrant racism and bigotry know no limit.
Appealing to their basest possible bigotry, Trump excites his zombie base to the darkest of low places. Now, he is dragging his “supporters” further toward the status of “accomplices” to his unlawful plans to undermine the electoral process by interrupting the electoral count in key states he loses.
Trump’s schemes and actions rely upon the aid and abettance of thousands of Americans whose bigotry and racism have rotted out the history and civics lessons learned in school and the traditions and sacrifices of millions of American military heroes who have given their lives and limbs to safeguard this great democratic republic against fascism and authoritarianism on behalf of a scoundrel of a man who scornfully refers to them as “suckers”. Why would any American patriot want Trump back in the White House, especially with the dictatorial power he seeks and will attempt to seize?
As this election approaches, all American patriots should speak up and speak out against Trump and the Trumpism of his accomplices who are perpetrating these attacks against our democratic republic. 9/11 is a special day of remembrance , just as January 6th is becoming. Let’s make November 5th, 2024 a day of American patriotic triumph and eliminate Trump from our national political life.
John Dean says
Mickey, thank you for your kind words and substantive comment. As always, you make a number of important observations.
Wilson Dean says
This excellent article is a good reminder that the US has suffered terrible consequences from our enemies, both foreign and domestic. We should all be as angry at the January 6th insurrectionists as we have been at those who participated in the 9/11 attacks. Both of these events highlight the danger of extremists trying to destroy our democracy and divide our country. We eliminated Osama Bin Laden, now it’s time to show his counterpart, Donald Trump, out the door on November 5th.
John Dean says
As you might guess, I agree with most of your comments. The only part I can quibble with are your first three words. . . .
Charles Barranco says
John and Mickey,
Your article and response brings me to tears, so moving.
Trump should have been indicted for his treasonous act on January 6, 2021 and incarcerated. In many countries he wouldn’t have lived out the day. Unfortunately, he’s allowed to be a candidate at the direction of the rogue, political pimps in the SC.
They, like Trump, have no intentions of upholding the Constitution.
Thank you for your article and response, so, so on point.
John Dean says
Thank you. I share your thoughts on Trump.
Dennis Glackin says
Excellent article. I never thought the USA would be faced with what happened on those two days. I hope and pray that our country rejects the hate and lies that surrounded the January 6 insurrection, and that it never happens again.
John Dean says
Thank you for your kind words. I am encouraged by Trump’s defeat in the September 10 debate. If he loses in November, the threat to democracy will significantly decrease.
Barbara Denton says
This is preposterous. To compare the attacks on 9/11/01 to the January 6 peaceful march on the Capitol is a stretch beyond belief. The terrorists were trying to use airplanes to bomb the Capitol, the White House, the Pentagon and of course the twin towers of the World Trade Center. They succeeded with the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. More Americans were lost on 9/11 than the attack on Pearl Harbor. I believe one of the biggest fears the Democrats have is the plot to incite January 6 was formed and carried out. Stay tuned.
Dennis Glackin says
You lose all credibility with your “peaceful march” nonsense.
H.R. Worthington says
The 9/11 terrorist attacks were the calculated, premeditated, and cruel murder of 2,977 innocent men, women and children. Then, in the wake of 9/11, and additional 7,085 U.S. soldiers died and another 53,533 were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I assure you, if given the chance, the evil behind the 9/11 will not make a distinction between a J6 “insurrectionist” or a BLM “protestor.” It won’t care about your race. It won’t care if you are rich or if you are poor. It certainly won’t care about your politics. It is a truly indiscriminate hate so pure in its evil that it is difficult for the human brain to fathom. So, you can think that January 6 was the worst assault on the Republic since 1861 if you want, but drawing any equivalence to 9/11, including the impact it had on our country is simply wrong and indefensible.
You are obviously entitled to your opinions. However, I hope you can see that. Because if you can’t see that, and if you can’t honor 9/11 without conflating it with your own partisan priors, you may have bigger problems in your life than Donald Trump.