Using the 2021 J6 event at the Capitol, an MSNBC guest called for “9/11”-era security changes to address the growing threat posed by former President Donald Trump’s supporters. Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Righteous Media, spoke of a “tectonic shift” to address the “threat”. While tragic, the outcry from some corners of the liberal media is highly over-exaggerated.
The FBI and Justice Department have been accused by Republicans of becoming politicized and suppressing free expression in cases involving pro-life advocates and parents protesting at school board meetings. Additionally, documents released to journalist Matt Taibbi by Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, were challenged with censorship.
Despite this wave of media hysteria, the Capitol police were more than capable of preventing the tragedy from happening in the first place. The majority of the protestors were nonviolent, and those that weren’t were dealt with swiftly and justly, with one of the organizers receiving an 18-year prison sentence. Moreover, while the sentiment of many Trump supporters is understandable, the acts of a few cannot be attributed to the whole.
America’s response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 was critically justified and undeniably necessary. However, calling for a similar response to the Capitol riots is an ill-informed and antithetical suggestion. America is not facing a similar threat, and Rieckhoff’s fear-mongering remarks are both irresponsible and misplaced.
The former president and his supporters are not a security threat; they are a legitimate political force within the United States. Their voting power must be respected, and any effort to silence or delegitimize their voice should be met with trepidation.
So is the suggestion from MSNBC for yet another governmental department to police the threats emanating from Trump supporters. Such an act would create an unnecessary and expensive bureaucracy that would only add to the chaos, confusion, and contention that already exist throughout the country.
In order for the security threats posed by Trump’s supporters to be addressed, far better solutions are needed. Rather than relying on draconian measures, we should focus on bridging the divide between his supporters and the rest of the country through an effective and sustained dialogue. We must strive to find common ground and work together to mend our fraying divides. This is the only way to ensure an environment of true security and peace.