It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I walked into my family room and saw rioters smashing windows, throwing flagpole-spears at police, and using bear spray at the Capitol. My significant other looked up from the TV, tears in her eyes, and said, “This can’t be happening.” But it was. Directed by their president, a Trump mob, replete with banners, buttons, and military garb, attempted to overthrow the government.
Fortunately, calls for the hanging of Mike Pence and the murder of Nancy Pelosi were not followed. This failure may have disappointed the president who was watching events unfold from the dining room adjoining the oval office at the White House.
We now know that Trump resisted calls, even from his own daughter, to direct his followers to stop their deadly assault. Evidence now surfacing, some of which may be unveiled at the first public hearing of the House January 6 Committee, is expected to show how complicit Trump was in planning and directing the assault.
Trump has not yet been held accountable for what was either a severe dereliction of duty or outright treason on January 6 and the days leading up to it. It is that injustice—the top perpetrator remaining at large—that makes me cautious about commemorating January 6. We do not yet have closure on January 6, and we may not for some time. The problem is that the January 6 insurrection is not over. We are learning that the political dysfunction that gave rise to the violence of that day lies much deeper. Democracy remains in jeopardy. America’s embrace of the Constitution is loosening as the faith in government and democracy weakens. We are in trouble.
A recent Washington Post-University of Maryland poll found that one in three Americans believes that violence against the government is sometimes justified. The respondents cited civil rights, elections, and other grounds as potentially justifying violence. This is troubling. People on both the right and left are losing faith in government as the best means of resolving injustice. A second poll found that 62 percent of respondents expect violence in the case of a future disputed presidential election. Yes, 62 percent. What should we make of these numbers, other than that our political divisions represent a more serious risk to “domestic tranquility” than we might appreciate?
I have come to separate Donald Trump from the vile collection of prejudices and delusions of his followers. Trump may be more a symptom than a cause of the rise of QAnon, Proud Boys, open racism, and the evaporation of civility in political debate. Trump, in my perception, is gradually fading from the American political stage. The more he fades, the more he works to remain in the news. Yet cowardly Republicans, such as Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, continue to kowtow to Trump. Dunleavy sought Trump’s endorsement for re-election and got it on the condition that he not endorse the re-election of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial. Trump may soon find himself indicted for treason as well as tax fraud, but it really doesn’t matter. The group of people commonly referred to as “Trump’s base” don’t need Trump to oppose immigration, refuse vaccines, fly “Lets Go Brandon!” banners, and circulate anti-Black, homophobic, and similar memes on the web.
I think we should stop calling the mob that attacked the Capitol “Trump supporters.” The treasonous rioters were simply opponents of democracy. Best I can tell, the 2020 election won’t be the last election they protest or attempt to overturn. I also fear that as the efforts underway today through the instrument of the Republican party fail, they will turn to violence.
I don’t think there is anything to celebrate about January 6. Those who want to celebrate the date as a successful defense of democracy better wait until the causes of insurrection are understood and addressed. Much greater efforts are needed than just indicting the rioters or even holding Trump accountable. The cancer that gave us Trump must be eradicated.
We don’t yet know how to convince a group of fellow citizens alienated from democracy that they are mistaken. We better get to work figuring that out before it’s too late.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, birds, and other subjects.
Brian J. Corden says
Well said, Mr. Dean. The danger to democracy may be deeper than we think. The basic problem is the capture of State legislatures by an unscrupulous Republican Party. With this capture, voting rights in many States have been threatened and, with the aid of gerrymandering, skewed to a permanent hold on power by a minority. That minority is adverse to true democracy which, to my mind, is the selection of the government by the majority. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Stephen Schaare says
Mr. Dean, “the rise of the Proud Boys and open racism”. Where have you seen these “boys” burn down cities and kill police officers as have Antifa and Black Lives Matter? Where, when? To this minute I do not know what Q’anon is.
I see you repeated the myth of Trump supporters opposing the vaccine. To this day, according to the CDC, the demographic most opposed to being vaccinated are people of color.
Trump is not “fading away”as you claim. Every liberal Trump hater keeps him alive day after day in their writings and obsessions on CNN and MSNBC.Move on, you have a new President, the House and Senate. Be happy!
Been meaning to ask you something for the longest time. Do you see any significant difference between Donald Trump, Joseph Stalin, Mao tse Tung and Pol Pot?
Thank you-Steve
John Dean says
There is a lot to respond to in your comment. First, the piece suggests that Trump was more a symptom than a cause of our current political woes. I did not say he is responsible for the anti-vaxxers. As you may be aware, Trump was booed at a rally when he urged attendees to get vaccinated.
On your comment on the Proud Boys, please know that several of them are being prosecuted for their role on January 6. I would also remind you that “two wrongs don’t make a right.”
I’m not sure of what you are asking when referencing Stalin and Mao. I note that you did not ask what Trump and Hitler have in common. I avoid that comparison but note that both Hitler and Trump are associated with “The Big Lie.”
You may be right that Trump is not fading away. I disagree.
Finally, I am relieved you are not a follower of QAnon. Many Trump supporters are. That is one of the reasons that QAnon and Trump are both dangerous.
In any case, thanks for reading the piece.
Stephen Schaare says
Mr. Dean, Thank you for your reply.
Hitler is overused by everyone. The dictators I mentioned tortured, starved and killed tens of millions of their own people.
Do you believe Donald Trump is guilty of similar behavior?
I never think of former President Trump. I do not have a shrine to him in my home. I do not want to see him run again. I have grown more than tired of old, diminished white men (women too) in positions of great power.
I must say again, Trump is not fading for many people. He continues to guide your essays. Let it go. Let us move forward, together.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Brian, Let me explain. State Legislatures are determined by voters. Some states elect more conservative members(usually Republican). Other states, like Maryland, choose liberals. The elected people make the laws for their states.
Yes , the Governor can veto legislation, but his veto can be dismissed by a second vote , which will override the veto.
Funny you mentioned gerrymandering. Right here in Maryland, the Governor Hogan opposed the redrawing proposal for our first Congressional district. Lickity split, the Dems in charge of the state house overrode the veto. Just the opposite would happen with Repubs in the majority. The MAJORITY holds sway, NOT the minority. We good?
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I am in complete agreement.
Thank you for reading the piece and for your substantive comment.
Jim Richardson says
Until Trump and his henchmen are brought to trial and punished as traitors to our country, insurrections worse than what we experienced last January will continue to threaten our democracy.
Sadly, I believe the top leaders of this insurrection will never come to trial because the Democrats fear repercussions from the far right. Only the minor players will be punished in the end.
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I remain hopeful that the January 6 Select Committee will find evidence that will support the prosecution of everyone complicit in the insurrection. That includes members of Congress and all others.
Linda Baker says
Mr Dean, you and a lot of your followers watch too much lame stream media, which you will learn eventually were all lies. A day is coming, and I hope very soon, where you will learn the real truth about that day, along with what Trump has really done for our country, as well as the world! I’ve implored you to research and not just listen to the phonies on the news stations, which are all owned by same corrupt person. You would rather write the same old diatribe from the fake news you hear on your TV. The end of this story may not be for everyone. God Bless America! MAGA!
Jeff Morton says
It baffles me that after a year, some can watch the films from this historic event and somehow still believe they are watching patriots in action rather than domestic terrorists who should have been shot before they breached the Capitol.
Guess the recordings just fall under “lame stream media”