Wednesday afternoon in Washington devolved rapidly into chaos created by armed protesters, arguably domestic terrorists aiming to foment revolution. These perpetrators entered the Capitol and even reached the floor of Congress.
The mob was without direction, but seemingly with the blessing, or at least the absence of condemnation, from President Donald Trump. Earlier in the day, the president urged members of the crowd to make themselves loudly heard at the Capitol. His actions are despicable.
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These scenes of a coup attempt are unlike any witnessed before in this country. It will not succeed, but the damage to the psyche of American society and to our international reputation is incalculable. The real beneficiary is not Trump, for whom this is a legacy-destroying event. The beneficiaries are every autocratic ruler who hates and fears our democracy. This chaos benefits them.
— Ken Derow, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
GOP focused on political ends
To the nation’s Republican representatives and senators: I’m a 66-year-old citizen who has been engaged in the political process since I was 18. I voted for Joe Biden, so in the eyes of the Republican Party’s leader, Donald Trump, I’m “stupid.” I voted for Biden because I never considered rapacity and mendacity to be desirable leadership qualities in our president.
After seeing the result of Republican lawmakers’ political machinations, I have concluded that they are political poseurs who have succeeded in fomenting a violent insurrection among a distinct minority of this country to further their personal political ends, not to uphold their oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
God help us all.
— J. Mark Stanley, Chicago
Teetering on the edge
What was the plan for the invaders? Disband Congress? Send the Supreme Court home? Then what? Look to Donald Trump for everything? He hasn’t done the job up to now. Will he do the work as a sole power?
Our democracy is on the edge of a cliff with Trump’s boot on its back.
— Karen Wagner, Rolling Meadows
Republicans’ part in chaos
The first enemy force to occupy the Capitol since the British in the War of 1812. Republicans built this. They own it.
— Michael Gaughan, Homewood
Kinzinger’s vision for GOP
I don’t always agree with U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, but there may be no politician I respect more. Respect is not based in agreement, but in consistency of character and principle, regardless of how the winds are blowing. It’s clearly not convenient for Kinzinger in the short term to place himself in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump. So I believe him when he says he is resisting efforts to overturn the election because it is his duty.
Other volunteers and I have met with Kinzinger’s office over the past several years. We’ve done so with the nonpartisan Citizens’ Climate Lobby. (Our organization speaks to elected officials from both parties.) After meeting in Washington with dozens of congressional offices, you develop a sense of what sets elected officials apart. That’s why I’m not at all surprised to see Kinzinger making a moral stand.
I can also tell you that our volunteers consistently note Kinzinger’s staff is among the most diligently prepared and well-versed in the intricacies of law. He surrounds himself with competent, earnest people.
The reason to resist abuse of power should be self-evident: We can’t predict which party the next great demagogue may support. If we surrender to the short-term comfort of “alternate facts” simply because a politician is on our side, we risk forevermore becoming a country more like China or Russia.
Our most sacred American freedom is to disagree, to debate our views and to have our votes honored by the politicians who serve us. It’s why I’m glad there are still principled Republicans such as Kinzinger.
My only suggestion is that he communicate his vision for a restored GOP to the people of his district. I believe if Kinzinger tests and hones this message, making it the bedrock of his political brand, he’ll learn what is most effective in healing the political rifts Trump has created. It would prepare him for the increased influence he deserves. And it would make his goals for the GOP all the more attainable.
As Kinzinger recently said: “We have two different directions to go as Republicans. And I’m on the direction of, let’s get back to our roots and explain what conservatism is, so we can actually win the generation we’re going to need to stay relevant.”
— Marc Lopez Kaufman, Joliet
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