Lots of evidence-free claims about the insurrection being an inside job w/Capitol Police or members of Congress. What happened should be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. But we should also beware of the appeal of conspiracy theories in moments like this.
The known facts are abhorrent. No need to speculate prematurely before what happened is better understood.
Lots of reasons people might leap to conclusions about a conspiracy beyond the evidence per this discussion with @RyanDEnos
Of course, it's possible we will learn more and someone really did conspire with rioters in an effort to overrun the Capitol. Sometimes conspiracy theories are true! But we should be cautious given the way they can seduce our minds.
In particular, now might be a moment for some self-reflection if you are a liberal who criticizes people on the right for believing conspiracy theories and you also believe the insurrection was an inside job.
Again, we'll see! But we're living through a time when elites made claims they can't back up. Harry Reid pushed a BS Mitt Romney paying no taxes washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/w… - it's not like D leaders are immune
And to be clear, I am referring to allegations that members aided the rioters in advance or that Capitol Police intentionally stood down for them, not to the actions of a few officers who failed to do their duty on that day once the riot began usnews.com/news/national-…
Horrifying that inciting an insurrectionist mob to storm the US Capitol only moved Trump approval down to the mid-30s. The political penalties for encouraging extremism and attacking democratic norms are dangerously weak.
Horrifying that inciting an insurrectionist mob to storm the US Capitol only moved nine Republicans to vote for impeachment. The political penalties for encouraging extremism and attacking democratic norms are dangerously weak.
*Axe Body Spray* managed to denounce the insurrectionist riot at the Capitol without engaging in "both sides" equivalence. Somehow the American Political Science Association couldn't. Sigh.
More examples here - a lawyer, a teacher, a chief executive (!), a sheriff, and a small business owner. As with Trump's supporters, higher income/status than many assume washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01…
An authoritarian is trying to overturn a free and fair election. He presents an ongoing threat to democracy every day he is in the White House and should be removed from office.