For just a minute, let’s be honest. We still don’t know yet whether the first hearing of the House January 6 Committee changed anyone’s mind about Trump’s complicity. Judging from both news analyses and conversations with friends from both parties, the hearing was widely watched and substantive, but is that enough?
Speculation since Thursday’s hearing has turned to whether we already have seen the much-ballyhooed “bombshells” teased by Congressman Raskin (D-MD), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and others. If we have, we need to be worried. It will take more than former Attorney General Barr calling Trump’s claims of election fraud “bullsh*t,” or even Ivanka Trump admitting that she accepted Barr’s conclusion, to change minds that seem impervious to the reality that Trump schemed to hold onto power in 2021 by any means possible.
Is the January 6 committee about to fail? I hope not, but if something doesn’t happen, Trump and Trumpism (the latter more dangerous than the former) will soldier on, poisoning the 2022 midterm elections and setting the stage for worse in 2024. “Worse” means an end to representational democracy as we currently know it.
What signs of success should we look for? First, we need to see Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), and swaggering right-wingers like Josh Hawley (R-MO) start to see more risk in defending Trump than in ignoring or condemning him. That transition already has taken place with Mike Pence and, to a lesser degree, Mitch McConnell. Even Mo Brooks (R-AL), a featured speaker at the infamous Save America rally on the morning of January 6 has spoken out, suggesting it is time to move on. (That so-called courageous statement cost Brooks Trump’s endorsement for a Senate seat. Trump called him “woke,” which means “dead to me” in Trump’s mind.)
Second, we need to see Trump shut up. While most people who face criminal charges for tax and business fraud in New York, and for interfering with the election would follow the advice of counsel and stop talking, Trump has done the opposite. In doing so, he produced the strongest evidence yet of his mental illness and that nothing the January 6 committee proves will get him to back off his crusade to end democracy in America. Trump’s statement was to call the deadly January 6 insurrection “the greatest movement in the history of our country.”
Third, we need to see signs of life at the U.S. Department of Justice. Why hasn’t the attorney general indicted Trump yet for sedition? Legal scholars believe there is enough evidence to indict Trump now. Why hasn’t Merrick Garland acted? Are the indictments being held back so as not to energize Trump voters in the 2020 mid-term elections? I do not know but suspect that is part of what is going on at Justice.
Fourth, we need to see Trump candidates defeated in elections. Encouragingly, a few hand-picked Trump candidates have flopped. Former Senator David Perdue’s effort to win the Republican nomination for governor of Georgia over incumbent Brian Kemp comes to mind. But for every Perdue, we have a J.D. Vance, Dr. Oz, or a Hershel Walker. The election of any of this trio is unwelcome news for democracy and the Senate.
Assuming the Committee fails, meaning that the Trump base shrugs off the reality of an attempted coup, there is real reason to fear for the future of the Constitution. We will either have a civil war, started by states that will decline to remain part of a country that has abandoned free and open elections and that embraces white supremacy, or something worse. That “worse” could include wholesale expulsion of undocumented people from the U.S., warfare with Mexico, alliances with autocratic countries like Russia, Turkey, Hungry and Saudi Arabia.
That is why we need to hope that the January 6 committee, or, better stated, common sense, prevails. The insanity of Trump and the Pandora’s box of dysfunction he has set loose needs to end. America must come back together again. America’s current problems will not be solved without unity.
And lest anyone even think of responding to this piece by reminding me of how bad Joe Biden is, let me preempt you. Joe Biden had nothing to do with the January 6 insurrection. Criticize him for what he has done or not done as president, but do not tell me we would be better off with Donald J. Trump back in the White House.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, birds, and other subjects.
Stephen Schaare says
Mr. Dean, You have fallen off the cliff. “Mental illness, sedition, et. Al.” So, you want Trump convicted even without evidence? Is that about right? You want Trump to “shut up”? No free speech for Orange Man?
Yes, I heard Jamee Raskin claim he had testimony that will “blow the roof off the Capitol”. Where is it?
You, and others on the left keep going back to Jan 6 because you have nothing else.
You have no interest in the dire issues confronting our country TODAY? Everything good with you? Really?
I could go on and on about the disgusting internment of Japanese Americans by FDR
I could complain about the seizing of Joe DiMaggio’s father’s fishing boat with which he made a living. I do not because it has nothing to do with today’s issues.
So, you will find Trump guilty of so many offenses even if cleared by the justice system? According to your facts and obsession? No due process for “orange man”. How just.
Thank you-Steve
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece. I have seen enough evidence to ask why Trump has not already been indicted. I also believe that it is essential that the American people know how close we came to losing our Constitutional democracy.
The January 6 Committee is not a court. They won’t be issuing any indictments, only presenting facts. Trump and others responsible for the January 6 insurrection will have a chance to rebut the findings. Also, please recall that the Republicans had a chance to serve on the committee, but Kevin McCarthy wanted disrupters on the committee. Speaker Pelosi correctly rejected them (Jordan being the worst one).
I read Trump’s 12-page “rebuttal” to the January 6 committee. I would encourage you to do the same. It confirms that Trump remains delusional and dangerous.
I don’t expect you to agree with me, but please know I support justice and accountability. Both require that Trump be prosecuted. In a proper court of law he will have the opportunity to prove he was not guilty of sedition in connection with the January 6 insurrection.
Stephen Schaare says
Mr. Dean, So, you do not have any interest in the challenging issues of today?
Thank you-Steve
Henry Herr says
I, along with many others, agree than what happened on Jan 6 is very much an issue people want to get to the bottom of today.
jeff morton says
Mr. Schaare, I have an interest in today’s issues but I refuse to turn a blind eye to the domestic terrorists attack of the US on Jan 6th. I find it hard to believe that anyone that has listened to the testimony given so far, even by Trumps own staff, can think that the insurrection was no big deal.
Jerry McConnell says
Anyone who can’t see and acknowledge Trump’s guilt in the criminal attack of 1/6 is just living a fantastic lie. He’s ignorant and dishonest and so is anyone who supports his fraudulent efforts to destabilize this country.
Steve Shimko says
Yes Mr. Schaare, we’re going to keep going back to January 6 because the danger of that day far overshadows anything that faces our country today. January 6 was nothing less than an attempted coup – something that might be expected in a banana republic. Those that planned, participated and otherwise aided and abetted those actions need to be held accountable and brought to justice.
Just because Trump didn’t explicitly say “storm the capital” does not lessen his culpability. Charles Manson was not at the killing of Sharon Tate and others, and Osama did not pilot any of the planes that were used to attack our country on 9/11. Yet both were brought to justice.
Only thing I find surprising is that you and other Forever Trumpers have not brought up Benghazi, Hillary’s emails, or Hunter Biden’s laptop to try and deflect from what almost happened on January 6.
Stephen Schaare says
I have no interest in Mr. Trump. I am supporting the next President, Ron Disantis of Florida. Guess you have not read my comments before.
Stop with Benghazi. It is the Dems who deflect and distract. Mr. Dean has never answered a question from me, never. He changes the subject and moves on.
So Jan 6 was the most important ever. You must be delighted with the condition of our country today. Not a whole lot of Americans agree with you. Move on, Steve.
Steve Shimko says
Move on? From what? Ignore an attempted overthrow of the government? Maybe you can ignore those events – not me, and not the majority of the country.
We should never have “moved on” from Nixon’s attempt to subvert the election. He should have been prosecuted for his treasonous act, not given a pardon by Ford, in a vain attempt to move on. Look where that got us – to a former president and Putin lackey who will use any illegal means to remain in power, and thinks he can get away with it (which up to now seems to be the case).
darrell parsons says
Mr Schaare, you do a great job of taking potshots from the sidelines, but in all of your responses in this publication I have yet to hear you advance any solutions to any of the alleged problems you bring up over and over again. I guess if you say enough times that something is a problem, it somehow becomes the truth for you.If you are truly interested in productive dialogue maybe you could come up with some positive approaches to the things you are concerned about.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Darrell, Let me see…complete and activate the excel pipeline. Resume drilling in Anwar. Send the National Guard to the most violent cities. They. will patrol and seize all guns from all people. Close the southern border and stop distributing illegals throughout the United States.
All violent criminals will be prosecuted and imprisoned. Have Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. State publicly that black on black genocide in our cities is not being committed by white supremacists. Not a soul in this administration will ever address this issue.
Good start? Yes , maybe? You be well-Steve
DEIRDRE LAMOTTE says
If guns were not so easy to obtain, there would be a significant reduction in what you call “Black on
Black” crime. As if you really care, but it does deflect from 18 year old’s slaughtering 4th graders, right?
How about you contact your gun-loving GOP lawmakers and tell them you are worried about easy to buy guns from Red States
getting funneled into Blue cities, where the laws are tougher.
Stephen Schaare says
So, Deirdre, provide the guns and more guns will kill more people, is that the story?
Lots of people have lots of guns, but they do not shoot children at bus stops.
Why don’t you ever mention personal behavior?
Be well-Steve
Stephen Schaare says
Darrell, Forgot. Immediately replace ( today)press person Karine Jean-Pierre. She knows nothing, says nothing and deflects all questions. She is a nervous wreck and is well aware of her incompetence. Another embarrassment for Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. I suggest stopping these briefings altogether. Karine looks great at 47, but this is not about optics. Of course you will cry racism, which I fully expect.
DEIRDRE LAMOTTE says
Your opinion has nothing to do with the economic issues. When the economy was chugging along under Clinton and Obama, your kind was constantly calling for impeachment. Inflation and high gas prices are worldwide and
will settle, I do hope soon. These issues would have happened no matter who was President. However, how good will one’s pocketbook be when there is no democracy? We have Republicans passing legislation enabling them to overturn election results and to prevent people from voting in the first place.
The committee is doing thorough and factual job. After watching Cheney and others pile fact upon fact and make connections, there are now many Trumpers terrified for their part in attempting to destroy our democratic process.
Lyn Banghart says
Well stated, Mr. Dean! You have expressed so much of what I have been thinking. In my opinion you are spot on and I hope and pray the January 6 Committee will come through for us (as well as the Supreme Court….another matter I care very much about.) Thank you for saying what needs to be said!
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece and for your kind words.
Lyn Banghart says
Forgot to ask if I may use this quote from your article. “The insanity of Trump and the Pandora’s box of dysfunction he has set loose needs to end. America must come back together again. America’s current problems will not be solved without unity.”
Thank you.
John Dean says
Yes, of course. Please know that I am not John W. Dean, III (Nixon’s lawyer).
Wilson Dean says
J.E. Dean’s article is an excellent assessment of the significant dangers facing our country if the January 6th committee fails. He clearly lays out the irreparable damage to our democracy if a vast majority of the country, Republicans-Democrats-Independents alike, do not recognize the January insurrection for exactly what it was—one of many avenues President Trump and a group of his supporters were blatantly using in their attempt to overthrow the government of the United States by stopping the peaceful transfer of power which has been the trademark of America’s successful democracy since our country’s inception.
If the January 6th committee fails to convince a significant majority of Americans of President Trump’s attempts to overthrow the US government, it will not be the fault of the committee. It will only reveal the reality that a substantial number of Americans are not mature enough to set aside their personal (and Fox-reinforced) prejudices and look at the facts, resulting in a deathblow to the future of democracy in our country.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece. We are on the same page.