A date for reckoning: What do we take away from Jan. 6?

The date of January 6, 2021, was meant to slip quietly past as it had in the years following previous elections: a mere ceremony, barely acknowledged, with an audience comprised only of a few weary journalists and interested bystanders tuning into C SPAN. It should have seen exhausted Congress members, many newly appointed and still finding their way around, participating in the routine counting of electoral votes and looking forward to their lunch break. However, this was not to be. This simple certification process turned instead into the most damaging assault on the government in 150 years, with many to point the blame at. Some of those responsible include extremist right-wing media figures and commentators who have profited considerably from undermining faith in our institutions and obliterating the concept of a shared societal reality. Regardless of legal scrutiny, the influence of these figures — like Alex Jones and Tucker Carlson — have inflicted lasting harm. Others share the blame, including political firebrands like Newt Gingrich and Roger Stone who have fostered a culture of brinkmanship and political deception, contributing to a modern Congress that's distanced itself from the archaic idea of implementing policies that benefit the public. The rioters themselves must also take responsibility. They weren't innocent victims swayed by false narratives but conscious adults who willingly journeyed to Washington with the intent to disrupt a presidential election by directly undermining the electoral process. Their presumption of immunity speaks volumes about their privileged statuses, not the legitimacy of their arrests and prosecutions. However, the lion's share of accountability lies with one individual—Donald Trump. He valued his position and status (however, not governance, in which he appeared disinterested) above the democratic process and the will of the American people. Without Trump's involvement, there would have been no angry mob, no calls for the vice president's execution, and no tireless legal efforts to manipulate the electoral system. In the wake of the Capitol attack, it appeared that the public trust he’d spent years abusing had finally reached its limit. A key supporter, Sen. Lindsey Graham, declared, "count me out, enough is enough." Despite this, mere weeks later, Graham and 42 other GOP members declined to impeach Trump. This missed lesson has had resulting repercussions. Now, nearly 25% of Americans believe the Capitol riot was justified, and a significant segment of Republicans sympathize with the rioters. President Joe Biden made a very accurate remark in his speech yesterday: if Trump is re-elected, the U.S population may not have a second opportunity to learn their lesson.