It may become the “new normal.”
That is hailing the fact nothing untoward happened on Jan. 6.
Long a day for the routine certification of the presidential election the previous November, Jan. 6 became infamous four years ago when mobs aligned with Donald Trump attacked the Capitol.
While that is old news, Trump’s pledge to pardon some of the rioters is bound to keep the issue alive.
In the meantime, Jan. 6 this year was uneventful – as it should be.
But not really.
Coming on the heels of the maelstrom four years ago, the normalcy of the day was the news.
And that’s why at least two of the state’s House members took the time to officially celebrate that nothing happened.
Mikie Sherrill said in a release then when she arrived at the Capitol yesterday, she was greeted by police. And she added:
“The same men and women who protected me on January 6th four years ago. Some of their colleagues lost their lives that day, and all faced unspeakable trauma. I am so grateful for people like them who unflinchingly protect this country.
And I then sat through the roll call of states as the Vice President herself performed her constitutional duty and certified the election for her opponent, Donald Trump.
I know there are some who might denigrate that – who would rather take up arms than respect the votes of their fellow countrymen when they disagree. I am not one of them. Today, I was incredibly proud to do my duty and take the next step in rebuilding and protecting our mighty democracy, and delivering on the incredible promise of our great nation.”
Rep. Herb Conaway, who was just elected in November, wasn’t around in 2021. But he, too, had some thoughts.
“Our democracy is founded on the fundamental principle that the American people choose who leads them. Today, however – without any denial that the election was stolen from Democrats or any threat of insurrection – Congress upheld its duty and certified the results of the 2024 Presidential Election.
Like many Americans, this is not the election outcome I had hoped for but in a democracy, we must accept the results of elections not only in victory but also in defeat. Respecting our institutions and upholding the rule of law is fundamental to our democratic system. While some have sought to erode these institutions, I stand committed to protecting and defending our great democracy.”
In other words, it is “news” worth mentioning when the results of an election are simply accepted – without anyone storming the Bastille.
The new normal, yes, But not necessarily a positive one.
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On January 6th, 2021, a series of significant events unfolded that will go down in history as a dark day for American democracy. The day began with a rally organized by supporters of President Donald Trump, who had been spreading baseless claims of election fraud and urging his followers to “fight” to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
As the rally turned into a mob, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol building, breaching security barriers and breaking into the halls of Congress. The chaos that ensued resulted in the evacuation of lawmakers, the lockdown of the Capitol building, and the tragic loss of five lives, including a Capitol police officer.
The events of January 6th were condemned by leaders from both sides of the political aisle, with many describing the attack on the Capitol as an assault on democracy itself. President-elect Joe Biden called it an “insurrection” and a “dark moment” in American history, while former President George W. Bush labeled it as an “insurrection” and an “attack on the heart of American democracy.”
In the aftermath of the attack, Congress reconvened to certify the Electoral College results, officially declaring Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. The certification process was completed in the early hours of January 7th, cementing Biden’s victory and reaffirming the peaceful transfer of power that is a cornerstone of American democracy.
The events of January 6th have sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability, with many pointing fingers at President Trump for inciting the violence and sowing distrust in the electoral process. In response to the attack, Twitter permanently suspended Trump’s account, citing the risk of further incitement of violence.
As investigations into the events of January 6th continue, it is clear that the repercussions of that day will be felt for years to come. The attack on the Capitol was a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of upholding the rule of law. It serves as a wake-up call for all Americans to come together and defend our democratic institutions against those who seek to undermine them.
