The author of the letter “Trump is the right pick for president” (Sept. 30, TribLive) indicates that the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot was no big deal, reminding us that President Trump used the word “peacefully” in his speech that day. It amazes me how people want to downplay, forget and condone one of the most shameful days in this country’s history.
Trump did say “march peacefully and patriotically”; I think it was his ploy to cover his true message to overturn and steal the election. Before Trump spoke, Rudy Giuliani told the crowd, “Let’s have trial by combat!” Republican Mo Brooks, wearing body armor, said, “Today is the day American patriots start taking names and kicking ass!” The defeated Trump told his so-called patriots, “You have to fight like hell or you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
I didn’t like the outcome of the 2000 and 2016 elections. But I never in my wildest dreams would have thought about going to the Capitol to try to overturn the election.
Jan. 6 would have never happened had it not been for Trump. I believe he produced and directed the day’s events. Now he blames his political opponents for his assassination attempts. It is his own rhetoric that has led to this awful state of affairs. Trump has ruined politics in this country. It sickens me that he is still able to run and people are still willing to vote for him. If he loses this election, I’m betting it will end with the same shameful outcome.
Ed Svitek
Brackenridge