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Dems Seek to Censure Republicans Who Downplay Jan 6th Insurrection

BY May 18, 2021

In the weeks after September 11, 2001, Democrats and Republicans came together to create a bipartisan commission to investigate just how the biggest terrorist attack by a foreign enemy in our country’s history was perpetrated. But when it came time to do the same for the domestic terrorists who attacked our Capitol on January 6th, many of the same Republicans who supported the overturning of the 2020 election have also been fighting the formation of a similar commission as they attempt to rewrite the history of that day.

Now House Democrats want accountability from those Republican lawmakers who continue to indulge in conspiracy theories and pushing The Big Lie while trying to frame the January 6th Capitol insurrection as a tourist gathering gone wrong. Democratic Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), is focused on Republican Reps. Andrew Clyde, Paul Gosar, and Jody Hice, three key players alleged to have aided some organizing ahead of the Capitol breach, and plans to bring censure against them.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Protesters gather on the second day of pro-Trump events fueled by President Donald Trump’s continued claims of election fraud in an to overturn the results before Congress finalizes them in a joint session of the 117th Congress on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“These members cannot be allowed to rewrite history at their convenience by disrespecting the sacrifices made by Capitol police officers and downplaying the violent, destructive intent that rioters carried into this sacred building,” Cicilline stated in a letter to fellow lawmakers. “The January 6th insurrection was an attack on our democracy that we must continue to defend against today,” he added.

 

The censure move from Cicilline comes following a hearing last Wednesday from the House Oversight Committee on the January 6th siege where Rep. Clyde argued that the attack was “not an insurrection” but rather a “normal tourist visit.”

“There was an undisciplined mob. There were some rioters and some who committed acts of vandalism,” Clyde said at the hearing. “But let me be clear, there was no insurrection, and to call it an insurrection, in my opinion, is a bold-faced lie. Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol, and walk through Statuary Hall, showed people in an orderly fashion staying between the stanchions and ropes taking videos and pictures, you know.”

Late on Monday night, an image from the day of the attack surfaced on social media, showing Clyde attempting to barricade the door to prevent pro-Trump vigilantes from entering. The GOP lawmaker was also seen in another photo screaming.



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