At TQC, we have previously argued that nonsensical calls to “defund the police” cost Democrats seats in last year’s general elections. Furthermore, we have been critical about the dearth of support among too many left-wing politicians for honest law enforcement officers who protect and serve their communities professionally, ethically, and whenever possible, peacefully, often under extreme duress.

The GOP has anointed itself the party of “law and order.” Generally, they have been more vocal about supporting the men and women in law enforcement. They’ve griped that good police officers deserve dignity and respect too, and they are not receiving enough. We agree.

Hypocrisy

On the morning of January 6th, then President Donald Trump urged his supporters to head to Washington, “fight” and “take back our country.” A few thousand Trump loyalists dutifully obliged.

Later that day, an unruly mob of Trump supporters overwhelmed a woefully underprepared U.S. Capitol Police Force (USCPF), breached the Capitol, attacked law enforcement personal, and ransacked the building. For some, it was a last-ditch attempt to thwart the certification of President Biden’s “stolen” victory. Others who joined the mob probably did not know, or care, what the certification process even was. One man was filmed sitting at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk with his feet up, looking like he was getting ready to crack open a beer and watch a football game.

Most Americans – Democrats and Republicans – were appalled. The response – or lack thereof, especially from members of the party of “law and order” – was equally appalling, as it was hypocritical.

The GOP not only buckled, but did what it criticizes Democrats of doing all the time: failed to support the men and women in uniform who keep us safe. Unfortunately, GOP support for law enforcement officers appears to vanish when the culprits are radical Trump supporters. Indeed, following the events of January 6th, the absence of support for blue lives came courtesy of the GOP.

Testimony

Five people were killed on January 6th, including a USCP police officer. Approximately 150 USCP and D.C. police officers were injured.

Immediately following the lawlessness, USCP officer Howard Liebengood committed suicide. A week later, D.C. police Officer Jeff Smith killed himself. (His widow claims he was bludgeoned with a pole during the attack.) Other suicides and lingering mental health issues have since been reported.

Thus far, over 500 people have been arrested in conjunction with the happenings of Jan 6th. The FBI is currently looking for more suspects.

During gripping testimony, D.C. metropolitan police officer Michael Fanone described to an investigative panel how he was dragged, electrocuted, went into cardiac arrest, and was then beaten unconscious. Video retrieved from his body camera confirms his account.

USCP officer Aquilino Gonell, an Iraq war veteran, testified that he and his fellow officers were beaten unmercifully. Gonell was dismayed at the attempts to obfuscate the truth about January 6th. Said Gonell, “There is a continuous and shocking attempt to ignore or try to destroy the truth of what truly happened that day, and to whitewash the facts…We fought hand to hand, inch by inch.”

USCP Harry Dunn made it clear that (until that day) “No one had ever, ever, called me a ‘n—’ while wearing the uniform of a Capitol Police officer.”

Minority Wimp

After the riot, House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said, “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters.” But, regrettably, that was the last factual statement Mr. McCarthy uttered about the insurgency.

Soon thereafter, a spineless McCarthy capitulated. He proposed that Donald Trump did all he could to stop the assault, opposed a bipartisan investigation, opposed and condemned a House inquiry into the matter and called GOP members Adam Kinziner (R-IL) and Liz Cheney (R-WY) “Pelosi Republicans” for stating the truth:

“We cannot leave the violence of Jan. 6—and its causes—uninvestigated.” – Liz Cheney

“I’m a Republican. I’m a conservative. But in order to heal from the damage caused that day, we need to call out the facts.” – Adam Kinziner

Indeed, the happenings of January 6th were perpetrated by Trump supporters who were tacitly winked and smiled at, by the president himself. The Economist, a politically neutral periodical, observed that “The violence that Mr. McCarthy and most House Republicans are now misrepresenting or wishing away in an effort to minimize Mr Trump’s hand in it could not have been more conspicuous or significant.”

We credit Cheney, Kinziner, and a few other Republicans for condemning the onslaught, calling out the primary culprit, and supporting the brave men in women who fought to defend the Capitol.

Medal Of Honor

Last month, the senate voted to award the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the Capitol against Trump insurrectionists. The bill survived a House vote too, but 21 Republican members voted against it.

At TQC, we are not much into hypotheticals. But, that said, we would be remiss not to argue that if left-wing ANTIFA radicals stormed the Capitol, the GOP’s response would be starkly different, most likely, commensurate with being members of the “party of law and order.”