Tag: Trump insurrectionists stormed the capitol

Mental health expert explains why Trump must be convicted

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The Trump presidency may be over, but Donald Trump’s dangers continue. This is because we have yet to contain the number one emergency, which is the spread of mental pathology.

Without addressing this mental health pandemic, even the Biden administration’s admirable efforts to contain the viral pandemic may meet with obstacles. Similarly, without conviction and prosecution, which is the first step to containing this mental health pandemic, hopes for “reconciliation” and “unity” may also be for naught.

Mental health professionals knew from the start that Donald Trump had the psychological makeup to become very dangerous with presidential powers. Following our 2017 assessment, I and thousands of my colleagues at the World Mental Health Coalition issued more than 300 pages of letters, petitions, and statements asserting that Donald Trump’s dangers would spread and erupt. In March 2020, we issued a “Prescription for Survival,” stating that the president’s removal through the 25th Amendment, impeachment, or resignation—or at least removal of influence—was essential to avoiding widespread unnecessary deaths. Continue reading.

Arrested in Capitol Riot: Organized Militants and a Horde of Radicals

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In the weeks since the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors have announced criminal charges against more than 175 people — less than a quarter of those involved in the melee, but enough to provide a rough portrait of the mob and the sprawling investigation into its actions.

At least 21 of those charged so far had ties to militant groups and militias, according to court documents and other records. At least 22 said they were current or former members of the military. More than a dozen were clear supporters of the conspiracy theory QAnon. But a majority expressed few organizing principles, outside a fervent belief in the false assertion that President Donald J. Trump had won re-election.

The accused came from at least 39 states, as far away as Hawaii. At least three were state or local officials, and three were police officers. Some were business owners; others were unemployed or made their living as conservative social media personalities. Many made comments alluding to revolution and violence, while others said the protests had been largely peaceful. Continue reading.

GOP Attempt To Discredit AOC’s Account Of Jan. 6 Backfires (She Has Receipts)

As U.S. lawmakers on Thursday prepared to take to the floor of the House of Representatives to tell their stories of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasted Republicans who cast aspersions upon her experiences on that deadly day.

Right-wing media and pundits have called into question accounts by Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) that she feared for her life during the storming of the Capitol by a murderous mob inflamed by President Donald Trump and his lie that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen.”

In a January 13 Instagram Live video, Ocasio-Cortez said, “I can tell you that I had a very close encounter where I thought I was going to die” as the pro-Trump invaders rampaged through the Capitol complex, fatally beating a Capitol police officer, trampling a woman to death, and chanting threats including “hang [former Vice President] Mike Pence” and “take me to the traitors.” Continue reading.

Capitol Rioter Jenny Cudd, Who Asked For Mexico Vacation, Hit With Five New Felonies

Early this week, Capitol rioter Jenny Cudd of Midland, Texas, asked the judge overseeing her case for a pass to go to Mexico on a work vacation. Cudd’s attorneys told the judge that she had already prepaid for the work retreat. It was a heartwarming story of white privilege and wacky delusions. Cudd is one of the Capitol insurgents who videotaped herself admitting to serious federal crimes, while committing said crimes. One of her self-shot videos includes this wide angle lens quote: “We did break down Nancy Pelosi’s office door and somebody stole her gavel and I took a picture sitting in the chair flipping off the camera and that was on Fox News.” At the time, Cudd was only charged with two misdemeanors and was released on a “personal recognizance bond,” hours after her arrest.

On Wednesday, Cudd, along with soon to be defendant Eliel Rosa, was indicted on five new criminal charges. Ruh? Those are felony charges. Ruh roh. Those counts include “corruptly obstructing an official proceeding of Congress; entering and remaining in a restricted building; committing disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building; committing disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.” While the judge has yet to rule on whether or not Cudd can go on her Mexican holiday, the five felony indictments puts a big damper on the chance that she will be allowed to.

Here’s Cudd talking into her camera saying how she would delight in attending a “public hanging” of “one of these traitors.” Who these “traitors” are I am sure we can deduce. She refers to being willing to travel down to “Guantanamo” to observe this public execution. But less you think she is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, she says she does believe that a single public execution will get everybody on board with her special form of Christianity and fascism. Oh, and the first clip is her detailing some of her crimes. Continue reading.

At AOC-organized floor session, Democrats share tears, fears from Capitol storming

‘Some are already demanding that we move on,’ New York Democrat says

Fighting through tears, Rep. Rashida Tlaib described her first memory of Congress. “On my very first day of orientation, I got my first death threat,” she said. “I didn’t even get sworn in yet and someone wanted me dead for just existing.”

The death threats kept coming, Tlaib said, speaking at a special floor session Thursday night organized by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who placed a hand on her back to comfort her.

“One celebrating, in writing, the New Zealand massacre and hoping that more would come. Another mentioned my dear son Adam, mentioning him by name,” she said, choking up at the thought of her teenage son. Continue reading.

Two More Texas Real Estate Agents Who Took Private Jet to Riot Are Charged

In the days before the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Texas real estate agent Jason Lee Hyland texted a small group chat titled “Patriot flight.”

“Thanks for joining me to DC to stand up for America. This will be historic – no matter the outcome,” he allegedly wrote. “We will leave from us trinity hanger at Denton Airport tomorrow.”

Four others joined him on Jan. 5 on the small private jet bound for Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally in D.C. The group included real-estate broker and life coach Jenna Ryan, and real-estate agent Katherine “Katie” Schwab. They posted smiling selfies on board the aircraft and reportedly sang along to music. Continue reading.

In Viral House Floor Speech, Rep. Phillips Appeals to the Better Angels of His Colleagues and Country

Phillips: “I’m not here this evening seeking sympathy – rather to make a public apology.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) joined a special order hour organized by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to share their experiences of January 6, 2021, when Congress was subject to an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that led to the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick and the first breach of the institution since the War of 1812.

WATCH: 

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Professor explains how Trump’s ‘Save America’ rally contained not-so-subtle elements of fascist propaganda

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Hours before a mob of far-right insurrectionists — including members of the Proud Boys, QAnon supporters, White nationalists and members of various militia groups — violently stormed the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, then-President Donald Trump held a “Save America” rally in Washington, D.C.’s Ellipse Park. Trump and his allies showed a propaganda video at that event, and according to Yale University professor Jason Stanley — author of the book “How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them” — that video was full of fascist themes.

Stanley has made no secret of the fact that he considers Trumpism a fascist movement. In an article published by Just Security on February 4, the Yale professor identifies some of the overtly fascist themes in the video presented at the Save America Rally.

“On January 6,” Stanley explains, “Trump supporters gathered at a rally at Washington D.C.’s Ellipse Park, regaled by various figures from Trumpworld, including Donald Trump, Jr. and Rudy Giuliani. Directly following Giuliani’s speech, the organizers played a video. To a scholar of fascist propaganda, well-versed in the history of the National Socialists’ pioneering use of videos in political propaganda, it was clear, watching it, what dangers it portended. In it, we see themes and tactics that history warns pose a violent threat to liberal democracy. Given the aims of fascist propaganda — to incite and mobilize — the events that followed were predictable.” Continue reading.

Ginni Thomas apologizes to Supreme Court clerks over her support for Trump’s election challenges: report

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Conservative activist Ginni Thomas apologized to her husband’s former Supreme Court clerks for a disagreement among them over her endorsement of a Jan. 6 rally that ended in a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife celebrated fellow supporters of Donald Trump who gathered in Washington, D.C., as Congress certified Joe Biden’s election win, and Ginni Thomas told the justice’s former clerks she was sorry her actions and statements had sparked a dispute among the closely knit group, reported the Washington Post.

“I owe you all an apology,” Ginni Thomas wrote to the private Thomas Clerk World email list. “I have likely imposed on you my lifetime passions. My passions and beliefs are likely shared with the bulk of you, but certainly not all. And sometimes the smallest matters can divide loved ones for too long. Let’s pledge to not let politics divide THIS family, and learn to speak more gently and knowingly across the divide.” Continue reading.

Phillips Introduces Resolution to Honor Fallen Capitol Police Office

Office Brian Sicknick will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery today following a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced the introduction of a Congressional Resolution to honor Officer Brian D. Sicknick, a 12-year veteran of the Capitol Police who passed away as a result of injuries sustained defending the United States Capitol against rioters on Jan. 6th. Officer Sicknick was the fourth U.S. Capitol Police officer in history to be killed in the line of duty.  

“No honor can fully commemorate the valor shown by the Capitol Police and their defense of our democracy against insurrection,” Said Rep. Dean Phillips. “I mourn for Officer Brian D. Sicknick. He was a patriot. My heart goes out to the family, and to all who risk their lives every day to protect and serve our communities with dignity and principle. They are the best of America at a time we need them most, and they deserve to be recognized as such.” 

 Find the text of the resolution here. 

Continue reading “Phillips Introduces Resolution to Honor Fallen Capitol Police Office”