Should Donald Trump be barred from politics? Experts say he will announce in days that he will run for the US presidency again in 2024. Yet he is accused of attempting a coup.
'He summoned the mob and lit the flame'
Should Donald Trump be barred from politics? Experts say he will announce in days that he will run for the US presidency again in 2024. Yet he is accused of attempting a coup.
"I can remember my breath catching in my throat because what I saw there was a war scene," Caroline Edwards recalled. "Officers on the ground. They were bleeding, throwing up... I was slipping in people's blood."
Edwards is a police officer who guards Washington DC's Capitol, the home of the US CongressThe legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts. and the heart of American democracy. This was the location of the "war scene" she describes: an unprecedented violent incident in which right-wing militiasA militia is an informal armed group operating independently of the state. marched on government buildings in support of former president Donald Trump. Edwards was left with a traumatic brain injuryAn injury that temporarily or permanently damages the functioning of the brain. This can affect everything from a person's ability to control their muscles to their ability to form memories and words., several of her colleagues died.
These events took place on 6 January 2021. Now, they are back on the front pages. Edwards's vivid account was one of many testimonies in a set of congressional hearings.
The hearings are part of an investigation into the attacks, focusing on the role played by Trump himself. Over 1,000 people have been interviewed and 125,000 documents reviewed, the investigating committee say that the results are damning. "Donald Trump was at the centre of this conspiracy," claimed its chair, Representative Bernie Thompson.
The conspiracy is the attempt by Trump to remain in power. Trump baselessly claimed that the election had been "stolen" and that he was the winner - a falsehood he continues to repeat.
Trump first attempted to have the election results overturned in courts. Then he put pressure on officials to refuse to enforce the results of the democratic process. Finally, he urged an armed crowd to march on Congress.
This much was established before the investigation began. The hearings have produced further dramatic revelations.
Liz Cheney, a Republican Congresswoman described the president's approving reaction to the attackers chanting about hanging his vice president, Mike Pence. "Maybe our supporters have the right idea," Trump reportedly said.
Trump's opponents claim he is the greatest threat to American democracy: the only president ever to refuse to accept an election result. "Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coupWhen an individual or group takes control of government by illegal means, including by violence.," Thompson said.
Even as he faces such allegations, Trump is thought to be preparing another presidential run.
Trump still has widespread support. He is a favourite to win the Republican nominationIn American presidential elections, each political party has a process for choosing one person to submit to the voters. Candidates from the same party compete against one another in "primaries" and whoever wins this contest is expected to become the "nominee" (although the actual rules are a little more complicated than this). and leads President Biden in opinion polls.
Should Donald Trump be barred from politics?
Yes: Trump has shown beyond all doubt that he is a dangerous authoritarian with no regard for truth, civil liberties or the rule of law. American democracy just barely survived one term with him in power; it may not survive another.
No: This is a choice for the American people, not judges and politicians: only voters have a right to judge Trump's fitness for office. Banning him from politics would be the true assault on democracy.
Or... This is not just about one man. Authoritarian attitudes are on the rise all over the world and more fundamental solutions are urgently needed for democracy to prevail.
Keywords
Congress - The legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts.
Militias - A militia is an informal armed group operating independently of the state.
Traumatic brain injury - An injury that temporarily or permanently damages the functioning of the brain. This can affect everything from a person's ability to control their muscles to their ability to form memories and words.
Coup - When an individual or group takes control of government by illegal means, including by violence.
Nomination - In American presidential elections, each political party has a process for choosing one person to submit to the voters. Candidates from the same party compete against one another in "primaries" and whoever wins this contest is expected to become the "nominee" (although the actual rules are a little more complicated than this).
‘He summoned the mob and lit the flame’
Glossary
Congress - The legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts.
Militias - A militia is an informal armed group operating independently of the state.
Traumatic brain injury - An injury that temporarily or permanently damages the functioning of the brain. This can affect everything from a person's ability to control their muscles to their ability to form memories and words.
Coup - When an individual or group takes control of government by illegal means, including by violence.
Nomination - In American presidential elections, each political party has a process for choosing one person to submit to the voters. Candidates from the same party compete against one another in "primaries" and whoever wins this contest is expected to become the "nominee" (although the actual rules are a little more complicated than this).