Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer
The World watched on Jan. 6, 2021, as criminals swarmed the United States Capital. The thugs wanted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Most of us looked on in horror.
Congress had gathered in a solemn, constitutional ceremony to count the Electoral College votes. Each state had certified the results. Courts from every corner of our great nation had confirmed the legality of the 2020 election.
The Loser, however, refused to accept reality. Offering no evidence, the Loser tempted his followers with glory, wealth and power. He invited his minions to Washington and then instructed them to “Stop the Steal.”
They attacked the United States of America.
The mob broke windows. They desecrated our democracy. The Loser’s supporters even beat a police officer with an American flag.
That day should have been a galvanizing moment in our history. We, the People of the United States of America, defended our nation against internal enemies of democracy. For a moment it was.
The very next day, William Barr, the Former Republican Attorney General, admitted the truth. Barr said the Loser of the 2020 election “orchestrating a mob to pressure Congress” and his behavior was “betrayal of his office and supporters.”
On Jan. 13, 2021 House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy also pointed the finger at the Loser of the election. “Some say the riots were caused by antifa. There’s absolutely no evidence of that and conservatives should be the first to say so.” McCarthy said the election loser “bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters.”
Days later, on Jan. 19, 2021, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell said “The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like.”
Slowly, however, the Loser turned the insurrection into a political sledge hammer. The Loser continued to lie. Most Republicans felt fear grip their hearts.
They turn against the United States of America.
Kevin McCarthy let his spine turn to jell-o. On Thursday Jan. 28, 2021, he traveled to Mar-a-Lago and forgave the loser. He decided his hatred of Democrats was stronger than his love for America.
That meeting gave other Republicans permission to sanction sedition. The Republican Party decided that the truth and elections didn’t matter. They choose glory, wealth and power over humility and service.
Every Republican now faces a choice. Do they support the Loser? Or do they defend America? Uncle Sam needs you.
Glenn Melancon is a professor of history at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He can be reached at glenn@glennmelancon.com. His opinions are his own and do not reflect those of the Jefferson Jimplecute.