Thread by @harrisonjaime

Thread- I’ll never forget Jan. 6, 2021. None of us should forget. We must make sure it never happens again.

The US Capitol has a special place in my heart. I worked there for years under the tutelage of greats like @WhipClyburn & the late John Lewis. 1/x

Like many, I was jubilant from the Senate wins in GA the night before & the upcoming inauguration of Biden & Harris & Trump departure on Jan 20. In my mind, the certification of electoral votes would have some GOP grumbling but like the past it would simply be a formality. 2/x

America has always set itself apart from other nations because of our peaceful transition of power.

In my lifetime, I saw Al Gore & Hillary Clinton handle suspect losses with tremendous dignity & grace. They recognized that securing American Democracy was always paramount. 3/x

On Jan 6th, Trump & his GOP minions on a stage near the WH proceeded to destroy that tradition & American Democracy. He told the crowd “to fight like hell or you’re not going to have a country anymore.” But he wasn’t alone, every GOPer increased the vitriolic rhetoric. 4/x

From order to chaos, the calm of the peaceful transition was driven out by chants of “Hang Mike Pence;” broken windows; and the screams of Capitol Police officers.

The images, sounds & unadulterated hatred radiating from the tv screen are seared in my mind. 5/x

I feverishly texted my friends, former colleagues, and several Members of Congress. I was scared for their safety, but none of them responded. They couldn’t respond because they were busy- barricading doors & finding items to use as weapons in order to protect themselves. 6/x

The images of folks desecrating the Capitol & ransacking the Senate, 🇺🇸 symbols of hope & opportunity and the seat of America’s power shook me to my core.

I never thought this could happen, but similar to 9/11, I expected that as a nation, we would come together to respond. 7/x

After the chaos, after lives were lost, GOP Leader McCarthy took to the House floor & proclaimed what we all knew… Trump was responsible for the insurrection. Many thought the country was finally ready to close the door on the disastrous Trump presidency & move on. 8/x

6 months later… the hundreds of national guard troops protecting the US Capitol grounds are gone. The job of protection now falls to the members of Congress… individuals that swore to protect & defend the Constitution & the nation. 9/x

Republicans have put politics over the nation & betrayed their oaths. They blocked the formation of a bipartisan commission to investigate Jan. 6; avoided honoring & meeting w/ injured officers; & have attempted to deny the events by calling it a regular tourist visit. 10/x

McCarthy is now attempting to deny that Trump was responsible.

Despite the roadblocks and obstruction by the GOP, the investigation will proceed.

Americans are demanding & will get the truth about the insurrection; those who incited it; & those attempting to cover it up! 11/x

In the meantime, if you want to learn more about the Trump insurrection watch this video. This is the most comprehensive summary of the events of that dreadful day.

Kevin McCarthy & the GOP would like for us to forget but we will #NeverForgetJanuary6th
nyti.ms/3y8CPI8