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John,
Five years ago today, our country witnessed something we never should have seen.
A violent mob stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election. Police officers were beaten. Members of Congress, including myself, were forced to flee and shelter. The peaceful transfer of power, one of the most basic obligations of a democracy, was nearly broken.
January 6th was an attack on the rule of law and on the basic idea that in America, the voters decide who leads.
From inside the safe room in the Capitol, I wrote about what we were experiencing — as we were experiencing it. It was clear in that moment that this was not a protest. This was a direct attempt to stop the constitutional process by force. This was domestic terrorism.
When President Trump later pardoned the people who carried out the attack on January 6th, it sent a message that political loyalty matters more than accountability and that attacking our democracy comes without consequences.
I’ve worn this country’s uniform. I’ve sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution. That oath doesn’t change based on who’s in power, and it doesn’t disappear when it becomes politically inconvenient.
If we want this democracy to endure for the next generation, we have to be willing to tell the truth about January 6th and reject violence, no matter who commits it, and no matter who benefits.
I’ve spent my career pushing back when our democracy is threatened, whether it’s by political violence or by the leaders who excuse it.
If you’re able, please consider making a contribution today so I can take this work to the Senate.
Thank you,
Seth
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