I have waited patiently to hear from Rep. Guy Reschenthaler about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. At 12:17 p.m., while the nearby “Stop the Steal” rally was underway, Reschenthaler’s Facebook post proclaimed “Donald Trump is the BEST president since Lincoln.” Less than an hour later, the siege began.
It has become clear how close we came to mass hostage-taking and murder that could have taken out the entire line of succession to the presidency. I will never forget the crowds with Trump, Confederate and Gadsden flags strolling through Statuary Hall while others were brutally beating up police and legislators were stranded in the gallery. All to stop the mandated act of certifying the Electoral College vote.
Reschenthaler and his colleagues say now is the time for unity. I agree. But for me that means three things:
• Recognize that my vote along with 3.5 million other Pennsylvania votes were legitimate. When Reschenthaler and seven other members of the Pennsylvania delegation voted to object to the Pennsylvania election, they weren’t calling for unity and they weren’t being honest.
• Offer widespread public acknowledgement that Joe Biden, just like these seven GOP Pennsylvania representatives, won in a free and fair election. Multiple courts ruled that any errors were not sufficient to change the result.
• Hold all those found responsible for planning and inciting the invasion accountable rather than making false equivalence to riots in Portland and D.C. this summer. Attempting to overturn the U.S. government is much worse.
Unity starts with honesty and accountability, not continued diversion and deflection.
Bibiana Boerio
Unity