Tomorrow marks the 3rd anniversary of Trump’s attack on the Capitol. People have used the opportunity to revisit their conspiracy theories about things that Merrick Garland didn’t do, all of which ignore the overt steps taken against Trump’s co-conspirators in 2021s.
Hopefully, I’ll complete a post on options Jack Smith would have if DC Circuit Judge Karen Henderson finds a way and the will to continue to delay Trump’s trial after Tuesday’s hearing on his Absolute Immunity claim.
For now, though, I want to argue that this poll, showing that an outright majority of Americans (still) believe a series of things that equate to January 6 being an attack on democracy. For example, 56% of all US adults think Trump is guilty of conspiring to steal the election.
After three years of concerted propaganda effort, thin majorities still believe:
- January 6ers were “mostly violent” (50%)
- Punishments for Jan6ers have been fair or not harsh enough (73%)
- Trump bears responsibility for January 6 (53%)
- DOJ is treating Trump like anyone else (57%)
- Trump telling his mob to march to the Capitol threatened democracy (51%)
- The mob entering the Capitol threatened democracy (58%)
- Congress voting against certifying the election threatened democracy (53%)
- The attack on the Capitol should never be forgotten (55%)
- There is no solid evidence of widespread voter fraud (63%)
Only on whether Trump’s role disqualifies him for the presidency (or Republican members of Congress who voted to disqualify votes) did less than a majority vote for democracy (46%).
These aren’t great numbers — and they have slipped over time.
But there are about 7% of Republicans who recognize that Trump was in the wrong. Most independents agree with Democratic views on January 6, not Republicans.
The propaganda is working … but thus far it hasn’t won.
If 7% of Republicans reject Trump’s party of fascism, it could swing the election.
Trying and convicting Donald Trump for his January 6 crimes is necessary, but not sufficient, to reverse the tide of fascism in the United States. Just as important is defeating the Republicans who empowered Trump’s fascism, to punish them for doing his bidding for the last three years. Just as important is affirming the importance of democracy, is ensuring that Americans choose to protect democracy. A Trump trial should help convince swing voters; indeed, prosecutors plan to tie Trump directly to the violence that Republicans reject here.
But that effort must go hand-in-hand with defending democracy, defending the process of trying and prosecuting January 6ers, crime scene and not.
And that’s a political fight that everyone can engage. That’s a political discussion about what it takes to preserve democracy.