The events of January 6—when former President Donald Trump's lies about the 2020 election culminated in pro-Trump extremists mounting a deadly failed insurrection against the United States Capitol—will forever be seared in the memory of American history.
The attack came after months of Trump and his allies promoting fantasies that the 2020 election was "stolen" from him through widespread election fraud staged by Democrats. Trump repeatedly pressured elected officials from Georgia's Republican secretary of state to his own Vice President, urging them to overturn the results of a valid election.
Thankfully, they all refused.
But now, in an op-ed for the Washington Post, Yale history professor Joanne B. Freeman writes that the attacks on American democracy haven't stopped with the insurrection—and that they're likely to get worse.
In the op-ed, titled Jan. 6 crossed a line. We need to say so before it’s too late for democracy., Freeman notes the multiple voter suppression laws passed or considered by Republican state legislatures, as well as the erosion of public faith in American democracy for the millions of Americans who still believe Trump's election lies.
She says a step toward solving this crisis can be taken with accountability for the insurrection, writing:
"Some members of Congress are leery of an investigation and its implications, but their silence comes at great cost. Although accountability won’t single-handedly end our current crisis, its absence virtually guarantees more of the same. With no clear line in the sand, the attack on democracy will continue, unchecked and empowered, with the worst yet to come."
Others concurred.
Indeed.
The Beer Hall Putsch of November 8-9, 1923 "failed." The insurrectionists -- even though they only took over a beer hall in Munich and not the capitol building in Berlin -- went to jail for a short time. Problem solved.
Right? https://t.co/ffNUNfQP6e
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) December 13, 2021
Let's never fool ourselves, or others, we must stay awake and continue to fight for our democracy... https://t.co/paZRkPzks1
— Liberty & Justice for All (@NotSoProudYank) December 12, 2021
A MUST read.
Where is 1/6 accountability? https://t.co/zbIfFn7I4a
— Reggie Reggie (@PervasiveProsD) December 12, 2021
Never forget Jan 7 & the trump/GOP INSURRECTION to overthrow our Democracy. They continue to try. @SenateDems Passing Voting Rights is the most important bill of our lives. Too bad two DEMS stand in the way of ending the filibuster and passing it . https://t.co/xFihZapCQT
— The Elephant Watcher (@ElephantWatcher) December 12, 2021
So true! https://t.co/9BdfjsiDTa
— Darlene (@Darlene88928434) December 13, 2021
They also agreed that democracy is still under attack, and that action must be taken.
The government is still under attack by Republicans like Cruz who slow-play or refuse to clear the people Biden has nominated for government roles and ambassadorships. https://t.co/jw1vBCFqcM
— vaccinated & keeping the mask on 😷 (@AnotherLattePls) December 12, 2021
Just waiting the gullible public out. 1/6 Attack continues. https://t.co/xEKHSYq4KP
— paul301 (@paul30110) December 13, 2021
The insurgency on 1/6 did not fail. https://t.co/ptT8KAg1F3
— Lance Tane (@LanceTane) December 12, 2021
Loudly and clearly it should be proclaimed Jan. 6th insurrection was an attempt to overthrow the government and it should be condemned by all. https://t.co/td5kUDHzWD
— loretta adams (@lorettawashappy) December 13, 2021
The Republic may be hanging in the balance.