Way back in October, I wrote “Trump Howls for a Coup; America Shrugs.” All the major news outlets insisted that any idea of violence was just a fever-dream. It would never happen, they said. An attack by the Proud Boys and Trump’s White Nationalist goons? All the pundits reassured all the people that it these people would never do such a thing.
This afternoon, of course, the coup was on TV. Trump got his wild day. Thugs and goons invading the Capitol building, delaying the Presidential election because they disagreed with the results.
The Attack
It wasn’t a surprise. For days in advance, Trump suggested there would be violence. He predicted it, stroking himself with the thought. Today, Trump wound them up tightly and dispatched his stormtroopers to overrun the Capital. Result? The first successful invasion of the Capital since the War of 1812, one dead woman, and an unknown number injured.
The Demagogues
Sedition is a serious felony punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison and it refers to the act of inciting revolt or violence against a lawful authority with the goal of destroying or overthrowing it.
Sedition – FindLaw
It was particularly shocking how easily the angry mob overwhelmed the Capitol Police. When those same forces were faced with peaceful BLM protesters, they arrived in their full riot kits: three-foot truncheons, heavy Plexiglass shields, teargas, rubber bullets, beanbag shotgun rounds, and pepper balls aimed at people’s eyes.
So we have the President of the United States calling for riots, aided and pushed along by the conservative media and nodding Republicans. Just consider Senator Hawley’s approving fist.
The violence filled the news for hours. We didn’t hear anything from Republicans. According to most reports, Trump was happy with the result. After hours of violence, they eventually convinced Trump to do something. He finally, grudgingly, posted a video where the American President spoke emotionally about how much he loved his thugs and approved of their violence. Then, with a resigned sigh, Trump suggested they shouldn’t be so violent.
His message remained obvious.
The Ground Troops
insurrection; plural noun: insurrections
1. a violent uprising against an authority or government.
Oxford Languages
The crowds were breaking down the doors, shattering the windows, and overpowering the authorized police. Why? Because they disputed the authority of the election. We don’t know how many were armed, but the police suggest that some number were carrying weapons.
The Traitors
United States Constitution, Article III, Section 3
The founders knew how easily some people used accusations of treason. The Constitution was very careful to narrowly define treason. And even with that cautious approach, taking up arms against the United States is the most obvious example. Just like the Confederate flags they loved waving.
We should probably stop underestimating what might happen. At least the coup will be on TV.
