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-…

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with Brendan Nyhan

Brendan Nyhan Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @BrendanNyhan

16 Jan
Great to require that experiments be preregistered but need a careful phase-in and should include preacceptance to avoid creating a massive file drawer problem cambridge.org/core/journals/… nytimes.com/2014/09/19/ups…

Also creates weird differences in standards between types of research
Thoughtful reflections on the merits and challenges of preregistration from @TJRyan02
Read 4 tweets
13 Jan
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.
10
Read 7 tweets
9 Jan
The professional association of political science literally did a "both sides" statement after a violent insurrection. Do better.
The statement does say this. But the part on what to do about the insurrection is pure both sides-ism.
*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. ImageImage
Read 5 tweets
8 Jan
Also the people with the time and money to go to DC on a weekday are going to be relatively advantaged
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…
Read 4 tweets
3 Jan
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.
Read 10 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!