The Politics of Treason

As I write this, on Wednesday morning January 6, 2021, one Democratic incumbent, Rev. Raphael Warnock has defeated Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler and though the second Democratic challenger, Jon Ossoff, is slightly ahead in his race, the results are too close to call. This is an extraordinary result already, and to think that the Democrats might regain control of the Senate is something that seemed almost unthinkable a year ago. But whatever the outcome, the challenges facing our country over the next four years are huge.

For the past several weeks, I have been limiting myself to skimming headlines and reading about sports and have enjoyed writing about Zen, being in a bad mood and my grandson (my favorite topics). But this morning I feel compelled, once again, to consider the wild and treasonous actions of our sitting President. Today is the day a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to accept the results of the Electoral College.

Over the weekend Trump called Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and spent an hour on the phone trying to convince him to ‘find’ the votes necessary to change the results of the election. This was a brazen (and recorded) attempt to tamper with official election results, a clear breach of our constitutionally protected right of free and fair elections. After Trump made spurious allegations about the call the next day, someone released the recording of the call for all to hear Trump’s baseless claims and perhaps not so baseless threats.

Trump has also been publically pressuring Mike Pence to use powers he doesn’t have to refuse to accept the results of the Electoral College in the Senate. Pence, who has been Trump’s fawning and willing accomplice over the last four years, is said to be trying to lower the President’s expectations while staying in his good favor.

And on top of all of this, there are the Republican Representatives and Senators who have publically said they will be officially objecting to the Electoral College results presented today. This logically indefensible stance appears to be their way of showing their allegiance to Trump who still appears to control the base of Republicans he has radicalized over his four years in office.

The good news is that a number of Republican Senators have strongly condemned the brazenly self-serving and extremist position of their colleagues (though no one appears to be willing to take on Trump directly, even after all this.)

In discussing this in his post this morning, my still favorite political news source, Robert Hubbell, refers to a Facebook post by Republican Senator Ben Sasse:

See Senator Ben Sasse, “What Happens on January 6th?” Although the entire post is remarkable, the most remarkable passage is this Q&A:

         ‘Do any of your colleagues disagree with you about this [not objecting to Electoral votes]?  When we talk in private, I haven’t heard a single Congressional Republican allege that the election results were fraudulent – not one. Instead, I hear them talk about their worries about how they will “look” to President Trump’s most ardent supporters.’

         Please go back and read the quoted passage again, carefully. Ben Sasses admits the ugly truth of the radical extremists’ motivations. In private conversations, “not one” of the congressional Republicans “alleges that the election results were fraudulent.” Instead, they worry “about how they will “look” to President Trump’s most ardent supporters.” In other words, the radical extremists are cowards who are willing to abandon the Constitution to curry favor with Trump’s base. Shameful.

Trump’s actions since the election on November 3^rd have been increasingly blatant in their treasonous intention. Since early October, many of us have had real concerns about the possibility of a political coup—an illegitimate grab for power or attempt to stay in power in contradiction to the laws and practices of our constitution. Speaking with a colleague in Belgium yesterday, I expressed my continuing concern with Trump’s ongoing and illegal power grab.

I am hopeful, but not certain, that the so-called ‘guardrails of democracy’ will hold. Both the House and Senate would have to agree to dismiss the results of the Electoral College and this will not happen. (See NY Times article What to Expect When Congress Meets to Certify Biden’s Victory for a clear explanation of today’s process.)

We are in this for the long haul. Whatever happens today, the work of staying engaged and moving our country back toward a civil society based conversation, respectful disagreement and democratic principles is an ongoing process. Free and fair elections must be protected and authoritarian impulses of Trump and many of his followers must be actively countered with principles, information and dialogue.

Today’s encouragement:

• Stay informed (but don’t read/watch/listen too much),
• express your opinions (with respect and conviction) and
• talk-and-listen to people who do not share your views (even family members).