By John Feffer
The defeat of Donald Trump in 2020 was supposed to put an end to America’s delusional national politics.
The quashing of the January 6 insurrection — and the brief, near-unanimous revulsion among members of Trump’s party for that violence — provided some hope that the fever dream had passed.
But the last year demonstrated quite the opposite. Trumpism, which started out as a simple-minded rejection of the status quo, has become something else: a thorough rejection of democratic procedures and a darkly conspiratorial hatred of federal power.
This corrosive ideology is now orthodoxy within the Republican Party, and that party remains just popular enough — and ruthless enough — to win back Congress this year and, potentially, the White House in 2024.
Those who adhere to Trumpism have recast the insurrectionists as heroes — “patriots who love their country,” in the words of Virginia State Senator Amanda Chase — and are determined to block all efforts to determine who was ultimately responsible for what happened that day.
Congress recently debated whether Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows should be charged with criminal contempt for refusing to testify about the events of that day.
At the debate, Trump’s lap dogs talked about immigration, Hunter Biden, mask mandates — everything but Meadows’ contempt of Congress. Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) then lambasted the House select committee’s work to investigate the events of January 6 as “evil and un-American.”
In the vote on the House floor to refer charges on Meadows, only two Republicans supported the measure: Adam Kinzinger, who will be retiring after this session, and Liz Cheney, who has practically been drummed out of the party for her stand against Trump.
According to recent polling, nearly 70 percent of Trump voters think that Biden was not legitimately elected in 2020. Worse, 40 percent of Republicans believe that violence against the government can be justified.
It’s no surprise that, in 2021, D.C. authorities recorded nearly 10,000 threats against members of Congress and the Capitol itself, the highest number to date.
Outside of Washington, the Republican party is ramming through bills to roll back public health measures, reproductive choice, and the right to vote itself.
Republican-led states have banned vaccine mandates in defiance of Washington. By mid-December, 19 states had pushed through 34 laws restricting access to voting. And with Texas leading the way, over 20 states have prepared legislation to ban abortion as soon as the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, which the Trump-packed court seems increasingly likely to do.
On these and other issues, Republican governors are pretending as if Biden weren’t in fact elected in 2020.
The insurrection of January 6 was a frightening reminder of the fragility of American democracy. But while the rioters were repulsed, and many of them arrested and thrown in prison, what’s happened in the last year is potentially more troubling. The insurrection has been institutionalized within a political party and implemented across half the states.
This larger insurrection, organized by a powerful party, urged on by right-wing media, and funded by big-pocketed donors, won’t have to storm the barricades. They’re already in power—and they want more.
Starting right now, defenders of democracy will need to press Democrats in Congress and the White House to act quickly to protect voting rights and elections, the right to choose, and public health, all while managing inflation and a pandemic.
Will American democracy survive the onslaught? That’s up to us.
John Feffer is an associate fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies and author of Right Across the World: The Global Networking of the Far-Right and the Left Response.
Anonymous says
You people just can’t stop talking about and blaming Trump for everything. Sounds like youse guys need your Ttump fix, because you’re going through withdrawal. 🤣
Michael Cocchiola says
If there are still rational Republicans out there, when are you going to publically reject Trumpism? I would love to hear from you.
JEK says
This is “insanity”! What the hell has happened in America????
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Concerning Adam Kinzinger…
Having met Congressman Kinzinger a few years ago, I consider him a honorable man. I imagine enduring several hours cowering in fear during the January 6 uprising has had an enduring impact on him.
He is noteworthy as a Republican representing the electorate from Illinois. But his service will be short lived as he can’t over come partisan redistricting.
Swamp swallows another one.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Open your eyes and see the utter confusion, and bad policies comming out of oval office, or there abouts? Or should I say By who? Biden vacations while, America burns….Enjoy all your new taxes, raise our gas & food, Remember where all those covid tests went….Oh thats right, nobody ordered them! Talk about a ship of fools, & hypocretes.
Lance Carroll says
I have always been bewildered by the faith that folks of all walks of life put towards politicians/elected individuals/political parties. Obviously, the Jan6 episode is a magnanimous violation of our government, our democracy, our way of life, etc…..very stupid choice by those directly involved. To me, it is also crazy that some believe that Jan6 is an acceptable occurrence that can just be shrugged off. We all have a slightly different view of what is going on…that is understandable. May we all find a common ground that lessens the separation/division that keeps us from achieving the common goal of peace, tranquility, and prosperity. We The People, In Order To Form A More Perfect Union….
Selfishness and lack of relativity ain’t gonna get us there. There will always be takers and givers. May those two groups find compromise as to allow the rest of us, in the middle, to survive and nourish our next generation. Otherwise, we are royally f**ked.
Sincerely,
Lance Carroll
YankeeExPat says
Not that I like to ever quote Ted Cruz but,….these are (domestic) Terrorist!
A.j says
Donald Trump was defeated and I’m glad I voted against him. A lot of nonthinking people Repubs followed him at the insurrection and many have been arrested and served time. Look at their leader never arrested, never served time. Many will die fir this crook. People please think for yourself. This man will put you under the bus if you don’t listen to him, look at his history. Why waste time following this crook.
LetsBeReal says
This was a peaceful protest according to CNN standards.
LetsBeReal says
Sen. Ted Cruz Walks Back Jan. 6 ‘Terrorist Attack’ Comments, Apologizes https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/sen-ted-cruz-walks-back-jan-6-terrorist-attack-comments-apologizes/2854389/
John Stove says
No….just the things like leading an attack on our capitol, grifting taxpayer dollars, lying to the American public, ballooning our deficit, tax cuts for the rich, ignoring the Covid pandemic etc etc etc etc
Hard not to blame the worst president in the history of the United States
John Stove says
Yeah….Right Dennis…
How about Trump wannabe DeathSantis letting 800,000 Covid test kits expire in a Florida warehouse? How about that Texas Imbecile Republican Governor Abott cryinh and begging for Federal Help with Covid after saying that “everything is great in Texas”?
Cant fix Republican stoopid
marlee says
I never did hear WHY trump did not actually walk with his supporters to the Capitol (as he promised)
WHY didn’t he?
LetsBeReal says
What will Democrats run on? Energy independence? Border security? Food prices? Gas and home heating prices? Afghanistan ? CRT ? Censorship ? Covid fix? Supply chain fix? None of these. Oh wait, they can run on Jan 6 Americans are really concerned with that ….
By the way where is the Committee for the riots, looting, burning in summer of 2020?CRICKETS! A double standard for justice.
Michael Cocchiola says
Did you just denigrate Biden’s vacations?? Trump played golf at his very own golf courses 91 times in his first year costing millions to you and me. To date, Biden has spent all or part of 46 days in Delaware and 26 at Camp David, the presidential retreat. And yes, he took Christmas off. So, let’s be generous and say it’s a draw, although Biden’s costs are far less than Trump’s visits to Mar-a-Lago and Westchester NY.
John Stove says
At least Democrats can run on not being traitorous Americans who will plan, incite and execute an attack on the nations capitol if they lose in the next election……and then “fight like hell” to hide all the communications about this act from the public.
No comeback for this party ever, after allowing this to happen (openly stating that Trump had a hand in it) and months later saying “oh, it wasnt that bad”……spineless, unamerican cowards.
Signed: Former Republican, Combat Veteran……. and will not support any Republican until the party purges these boot lickers.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Finally, someone who doesnt drink the Biden koolaid !!!! God bless U brother