The 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump, the instigator of the January 6th Capitol riot, marks a stark contrast to the heightened security measures of Biden’s 2021 inauguration. Many Republicans initially condemned the violence but later downplayed or denied its severity, even excusing those who assaulted police. Trump plans to pardon those charged with crimes related to the event, further highlighting the partisan divisions surrounding the attack. This anniversary underscores the ongoing political gaslighting and the fragility of American democracy.
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Donald Trump’s rapid revision of the January 6th Capitol attack mirrors the decades-long Confederate narrative shift. Within four years, a deadly assault on American democracy became, for many, a peaceful protest against political persecution. This parallels the “Lost Cause” mythology surrounding the Civil War, where treason was recast as honor. Experts highlight the manipulation of facts and norms by bad-faith actors, enabling the acceptance of demonstrably false narratives. This swift rewriting of history demonstrates the power of repeated lies and unwavering loyalty within a political base.
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Post-election polling reveals that voters in key swing states prioritized economic concerns over concerns about Donald Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6th Capitol attack, despite his impeachment and indictment. This suggests a disconnect between Democratic messaging on Trump’s threat to democracy and voter perceptions, with many not viewing him as a significant danger. The survey highlights a failure to effectively link Trump’s authoritarian behavior to tangible consequences for voters, as well as an underestimation of his ongoing appeal among certain demographics. Ultimately, the perceived threat to democracy paled in comparison to economic anxieties in influencing voter decisions.
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Former Capitol Police officers are deeply hurt and angered by Donald Trump’s repeated pledges to pardon the January 6th rioters. They see it as a profound betrayal, a disregard for the violence and trauma they endured that day.
The promised pardons would feel like a slap in the face to those officers who suffered physical injuries, and even more so to those struggling with the lasting psychological effects of the attack. The loss of life among officers further amplifies this sense of betrayal, leaving families to grapple not only with grief but also with the knowledge that their sacrifice seems to be trivialized.… Continue reading
The January 6th, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, while presented by some as a minor incident, was a culmination of a broader effort by Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election results. This included pressure on election officials, the promotion of misinformation, and the deployment of “fake electors.” Despite the violence and arrests, a significant portion of the population, particularly Republicans, downplay the event’s severity, exhibiting a concerning normalization of the attempted coup. This revisionist narrative, fueled by disinformation campaigns from certain media outlets, suggests a concerning vulnerability to manipulation within the information ecosystem.
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Following the January 6th Capitol attack, Donald Trump escaped criminal prosecution, despite calls for accountability from both Democrats and Republicans. Critics, including some within the Biden administration, fault Attorney General Merrick Garland for delaying the appointment of a special prosecutor until after Trump’s reelection, enabling Trump to avoid trial due to legal protections afforded to sitting presidents. This delay, coupled with a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity, allowed Trump to evade responsibility, ultimately winning the 2024 election. While over 1000 individuals involved in the attack faced prosecution, Trump’s actions remain largely unaddressed, other than potential civil lawsuits.
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Biden’s decision to award Liz Cheney and others with the Presidential Citizens Medal has sparked a firestorm of debate, highlighting deep divisions within the American political landscape. The announcement itself seems to have been met with widespread bewilderment and even anger, with many questioning the criteria for such an honor.
The very idea of awarding a Cheney, given the family’s controversial history and powerful influence, is considered by many to be deeply problematic. Critics point to Dick Cheney’s legacy, arguing his actions have negatively impacted both the US and global affairs, casting a long shadow over his daughter’s public image, despite her outspoken criticism of Trump.… Continue reading
Andy Kim’s concern that the events of January 6th have been “papered over” is understandable, given the lack of widespread accountability and the subsequent political landscape. The sheer scale of the attempt to overturn a democratic election, coupled with the violence at the Capitol building, should have resulted in far more significant consequences for those involved.
Instead, many feel that the issue has been largely ignored, or worse, minimized. The lack of severe repercussions for those who actively participated in or incited the events has created a troubling sense of impunity. This perception is further fueled by the continued presence of individuals linked to the insurrection in positions of power.… Continue reading
In a stark reversal, numerous corporations that publicly condemned the January 6th Capitol riot are now contributing substantially to Donald Trump’s record-breaking inauguration fund. This influx of corporate donations suggests a strategic effort by big business to cultivate favor with the incoming president. These contributions follow earlier pledges by some of these same companies to suspend political donations after the 2021 events. The inauguration fund finances the presidential transition and related ceremonies.
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Shane Lamond, former head of the Washington Metropolitan Police intelligence unit, was found guilty on four counts, including obstruction of justice and perjury, for providing confidential information to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Prosecutors argued Lamond acted as a “double agent,” tipping off Tarrio about an arrest warrant, and subsequently lying to investigators. The verdict followed a bench trial featuring contentious testimony from Tarrio himself. Lamond’s defense claimed his actions were part of his job, but evidence revealed his personal support for the Proud Boys even after the January 6th Capitol attack.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood