Trump = Treason

On January 6th we witnessed the first attempted self-coup d’etat in American history, led by Donald Trump and aided and abetted by the behavior of his henchmen in the Senate, Congress, and Republican Party over the past four years.

There is no other way of putting this.

Trump and his henchmen have lied for months about election fraud and for weeks have encouraged his followers to engage in this demonstration on the day that the Congress was to confirm the results of the Electoral College.

He has encouraged violence on the part of the extreme Right and subjected American democracy to the whims of the mob.

Interestingly, despite widely publicized online chatter and the recent events in Michigan, Capitol police appeared unprepared and reduced watching as the mob stormed the Congress and tried to enter the House and Senate. In addition, where was Homeland Security? What would ISIS and America’s enemies think when the most important building in the country is so poorly protected?

In the days ahead we will all be asking why the Homeland Security, District police, Secret Service, and National Guard were nowhere to be seen. Indeed, when Black Lives Matter marched on the Capitol, battle ready police were on hand to meet them. 

Why does a black group of protestors merit stringent security while a white mob is allowed to run rampant throughout the Capitol building?

Why did the Mayor of Washington DC not declare an immediate curfew thus allowing police to clear the mob out and arrest instigators rather than wait until 6 pm?

Why indeed!

But the ultimate blame lies with Donald Trump who again showed himself to be the single biggest threat to National Security.

He is responsible for creating a climate of hatred in the United States, for legitimizing political violence, for lying throughout his administration, and for producing this chaotic end to his shameful term in office.

And Republicans are guilty of legitimizing this violence and supporting his lunacy.

The Republican Party has sold its soul for power – and the victims are the citizens of the United States. And the Party itself may well split going forward.

If there is any justice to be had, Trump must be removed from office immediately, arrested and tried for sedition, treason, and inciting a riot.

His supporters in the Republican party must also be held responsible for their role in abetting this lunacy and actions.

The damage done to the image of the United States both at home and abroad is severe.

This is the country that sends its eighteen-year-olds off to foreign lands to fight for democracy. 

This is a country where many, including Trump, saw black athletes taking a knee as being unpatriotic.

Yet, feckless Republicans continue to lack the courage of their erstwhile convictions to demand democratic comportment from their own leader.

This attempted coup by Donald Trump indeed is sending a vile message globally – and I am sure that many governments are taking careful note of the damage that Trump has done to U.S. democracy and security.

The implications are critical, as is the threat not only to the United States but to democracy everywhere.

Trump has sold out his country.

Trump has sold out democracy.

Trump must be held responsible.  

Edición: Laura Espejo