The congressional and administrative enablers of the Republican Party are suddenly paragons of virtue, so distraught over the invasion of the Capitol on Jan. 6.
These are the same individuals who have remained silent for four years and challenged the results of a fair and honest election, while Donald Trump dedicated himself to destroying the rule of law and endangering democracy.
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Josh Hawley of Missouri, Ted Cruz of Texas and other Republicans brought this catastrophe to a head for their own political ambitions. Now, others who have also enabled this demagogue are trying to save their reputations by declaring they have suddenly seen the light. Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, Mike Pence, William Barr and others in Congress and the administration are finally saying and doing the right thing.
Where have they been for the last four years? Where was the head of the Department of Homeland Security when a violent encounter was totally anticipated? They have violated their own oaths of office for the sake of power and influence. One speech or one lawful act does not compensate for their persistent cowardice and self-interest. Their reputations are soiled forever, and Americans of conscience should not forget.
Every respectable news service in the country should reveal and keep their names visible to the public as seditious cowards corrupted by their own ambitions. They are complicit in Donald Trump’s crimes that have brought this horrific carnage. At the very least, they should be censured and not forgiven. Thanks to our free press, these worthless so-called “public servants” will not be absolved.
Betty Kleinberg, Deerfield
Mary Miller and fascism
Would I be in league with the “yeah-but-what-about?” school of apologists or, worse, would I be embracing “cancel culture” if I were to ask — if Sen. Al Franken was forced to step down because of what he allegedly did, then shouldn’t Illinois Rep. Mary Miller be removed for what she said at Donald Trump’s seditious rally in D.C. last Wednesday?
If it comes to building and preserving an inclusive democracy versus allowing an earnest appeal to fascism from the mouth of an elected U.S. official, you’re darn right I would!
Jim Koppensteiner, Niles
