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To the Editor,
The Jan. 6 hearings have been profound. The information revealed has been riveting. The former president called his supporters to Washington for Jan. 6, 2021. He urged them to go to the Capitol. According to Cassidy Hutchinson's testimony in the summer, Trump knew that his supporters were armed and he sent them to the Capitol anyhow. When he left the rally, he went back to the White House and watched all the violence and destruction on TV. Witness after witness testified to the committee that they urged the former president to make a statement and call off the rioters. He refused time after time. Even his children tried to convince him, even Fox hosts, his officials, etc. Trump refused to call in the National Guard. He let the destruction go on for more than three hours. This was severe dereliction of duty.
The Oct. 13 hearing showed Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling everyone for back up security: The D.C. mayor Virginia and Maryland governors, defense and other officials. She was trying to get the National Guard there. Trump did nothing. Finally, when he was convinced to call off his supporters, he told them to go home. "We love you. You're special." So special to him for trashing the Capitol, spreading their feces around and beating the hell out of police officers. More than 140 police were injured, some left with permanent injuries. Some officers died later as a result of Jan. 6 rioting. It was known that many religious Christians were staunch supporters of Trump. He was like a hero to them. I ask is this kind of behavior acceptable to Christians?
That invasion of the Capitol happened all because of Trump's constant lies that the election was stolen from him. He never stopped lying about it. Witness after witness of various government officials appeared for testimony. They all told Trump he lost the election and he needed to concede. His former attorney general told Trump it was "BS," that the election was fraudulent. His White House attorney Pat Cippolone told him he lost. Trump was determined to have himself installed for another term. He and his supporters tried to overthrow our government and destroy our Democracy ever since.
Republican lawmakers across the country and those running for office, who have been endorsed by Trump, have been perpetuating the "Big Lie" that the 2020 election was fraudulent. There were audits and more audits. The voting machines were not cheating. Trump lies all the time about everything. I have serious concerns about losing our democracy due to Trump and his cult-like supporters. When you vote for a Trump-endorsed candidate, you are voting to destroy our democracy. Please help to keep our democracy. And for those who are worried like me, perhaps, you will join me in praying continually that our democracy is saved. Democracy is on the ballot.
Diane R. Bannister
Weirton