GOP attempts balancing act: Condemn Jan. 6, but not Trump

[mystery-ak]

GOP attempts balancing act: Condemn Jan. 6, but not Trump
By Cristina Marcos - 01/05/22 05:04 PM EST

Republicans are attempting a difficult balancing act as the nation marks one year since the Capitol was attacked by violent supporters of former President Trump, who is to this day the undisputed leader of the party.

As the solemn Jan. 6 anniversary arrives Thursday, Republicans seek to make clear they don't condone violence. Yet they are largely avoiding any direct reckoning of what motivated hundreds of rioters to tear down security barricades and storm the Capitol: Trump's ongoing falsehoods about the 2020 election.

In a letter to House Republicans exemplifying the GOP straddle, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) reiterated that “the actions of that day were lawless and as wrong as wrong can be.”

“Our Capitol should never be compromised and those who broke the law deserve to face legal repercussions and full accountability,” McCarthy wrote.

But he then went on to accuse Democrats of using the events of Jan. 6 “as a partisan political weapon to further divide our country” and argued they should be focusing on improving Capitol security.

“Unfortunately, one year later, the majority party seems no closer to answering the central question of how the Capitol was left so unprepared and what must be done to ensure it never happens again,” McCarthy wrote.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/588415-gop-attempts-balancing-act-condemn-jan-6-but-not-trump

[dfwgator]

Typical spineless milquetoast GOP.

[Kamaji]

What kind of stupidity is this?  Let the democrats own the Jan. 6 Kangaroo court on their own.

Tut-tut about the damage that was done by some too-curious tourists to the Capitol, but emphasize that none of them was armed, none of them could have offered more than token resistance to any law enforcement, and that the only carnage that took place were the two tourists who were killed in cold blood by the Capitol Police themselves.

[mountaineer]

Major meltdown on social media after Ted Cruz calls Jan. 6 a terrorist attack.

Emily Brooks
@emilybrooksnews
Ted Cruz: "We are approaching a solemn anniversary this week. And it is an anniversary of a violent terrorist attack on the capitol."
"It is also worth asking ... What could have prevented the breach of the Capitol? What could have prevented the riot getting as far as it did?"
11:16 AM · Jan 5, 2022·

https://twitter.com/YossiGestetner/status/1478787194315841538

[Right_in_Virginia]

Major meltdown on social media after Ted Cruz calls Jan. 6 a terrorist attack.

Emily Brooks
@emilybrooksnews
Ted Cruz: "We are approaching a solemn anniversary this week. And it is an anniversary of a violent terrorist attack on the capitol."
"It is also worth asking ... What could have prevented the breach of the Capitol? What could have prevented the riot getting as far as it did?"
11:16 AM · Jan 5, 2022·

https://twitter.com/YossiGestetner/status/1478787194315841538

This is stunning.  With one sentence Cruz has sucker punched both President Trump and his supporters.

This is a preview of how the GOP will respond tomorrow.  I don't understand what good they think this does.

[Hoodat]

Cruz just lost my vote for any future race.  And that includes the Supreme Court.

[Kamaji]

Cruz just lost my vote for any future race.  And that includes the Supreme Court.

Same here. 

[libertybele]

Here is the full testimony/interview; including that of Senator Cruz.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?516808-1/us-capitol-police-chief-testifies-january-6-attack

[libertybele]

Cruz just lost my vote for any future race.  And that includes the Supreme Court.

Obviously there's nothing we can do about whether or not he becomes a member of the SCOTUS and it is doubtful that, that would happen anytime soon as no one is retiring.

As for this interview, IMHO he clearly stated that anyone regardless if they are on the left or the right, who assaults a cop should be punished.  I don't see that as anything so earth shattering. What is concerning is his opening statement using the term terrorist and unfortunately Cruz did use the leftist narrative that there was a terrorist attack on the capitol.

Keep in mind that in the past Cruz along with Hawley have been blamed for Jan. 6 because they had objections and if I recall correctly that was right around the time that the 'insurrection' took place.

[Hoodat]

Reichstag Fire Decree

Order of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State

On the basis of Article 48 paragraph 2 of the Constitution of the German Reich, the following is ordered in defense against Communist state-endangering acts of violence:

§ 1.   Articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and 153 of the Constitution of the German Reich are suspended until further notice. It is therefore permissible to restrict the rights of personal freedom [habeas corpus], freedom of (opinion) expression, including the freedom of the press, the freedom to organize and assemble, the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications. Warrants for House searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed.

[Hoodat]

Obviously there's nothing we can do about whether or not he becomes a member of the SCOTUS and it is doubtful that, that would happen anytime soon as no one is retiring.

As for this interview, IMHO he clearly stated that anyone regardless if they are on the left or the right, who assaults a cop should be punished.  I don't see that as anything so earth shattering. What is concerning is his opening statement using the term terrorist and unfortunately Cruz did use the leftist narrative that there was a terrorist attack on the capitol.

Keep in mind that in the past Cruz along with Hawley have been blamed for Jan. 6 because they had objections and if I recall correctly that was right around the time that the 'insurrection' took place.

The use of the word 'terrorist' is the deal breaker for me.  I don't care what Dems accused Cruz and Hawley of.  They shouldn't go soft over it.

[libertybele]

The use of the word 'terrorist' is the deal breaker for me.  I don't care what Dems accused Cruz and Hawley of.  They shouldn't go soft over it.

Not only were Cruz and Hawley accused of instigating the insurrection because of their objections, but they were also asked to resign.

This is not the first time however that he has used the term terrorists and I think perhaps today, he was trying to solidify the point that what he did was Constitutional and in no way prompted the insurrection.

Senator Ted Cruz calls Capitol stormers 'terrorists' and denies that he played a role in creating or escalating the crisis

https://www.kens5.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/senator-ted-cruz-calls-capitol-stormers-terrorists-and-denies-that-he-played-a-role-in-creating-or-escalating-the-crisis/273-b98de9f4-4ad7-435a-9b35-d054ee3e4272

This just isn't a deal breaker for me as far as Cruz.

I think he deserves credit for raising objections to the vote ... and now here we sit judging him as IMHO he continues to defend himself.

Yes, he's using the DEM narrative, but that same narrative was used against him!

[Hoodat]

I'm just sick and tired of Republicans allowing the Dems to set the narrative.  To hell with their standard. And to hell with them.

Instead, push the fact that the FBI orchestrated this, that people are rotting in prison awaiting trial with their Constitutional rights being denied, and that Democrats are lying through their teeth about it.

[libertybele]

I'm just sick and tired of Republicans allowing the Dems to set the narrative.  To hell with their standard. And to hell with them.

Instead, push the fact that the FBI orchestrated this, that people are rotting in prison awaiting trial with their Constitutional rights being denied, and that Democrats are lying through their teeth about it.

Ok, I get that, but WHO is investigating the FBI?  The DOJ would be basically investigating themselves, so how do you accomplish bringing them down?  Who can or who has the authority to do that??

Trump many times talked of draining the swamp; yes he exposed them but the swamp still exists.  One thing is for certain Trump unveiled exactly how deep that swamp is.  I think he also exposed that the swamp is so deep that it is too big to drain.  Just my opinion here.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Not only were Cruz and Hawley accused of instigating the insurrection because of their objections, but they were also asked to resign.

All the more reason to stiffen your resolve and not surrender to to the Socialist narrative. As Carlson said this evening, Cruz weighs every word he says, there are no accidents.

Video of Carlson from tonight:

https://mobile.twitter.com/ColumbiaBugle/status/1478900680739938310

[Hoodat]

Trump many times talked of draining the swamp; yes he exposed them but the swamp still exists.  One thing is for certain Trump unveiled exactly how deep that swamp is.  I think he also exposed that the swamp is so deep that it is too big to drain.  Just my opinion here.

Sadly, Trump didn't campaign on draining the swamp.  He never even uttered the words until three weeks beforre the 2016 election.  Trump allied himself to the Swamp, and then found it impossible to wiggle away from it.

The swamp is not too big to drain.  In fact it is a rather simple process.  All it takes is to balance the budget.  The swamp is fed solely from government excesses.  Stop that, and you stop the swamp.

[catfish1957]

Same here.

I was one of his very first supporters in his first appearances in SE Texas for the his first senatorial primary.  One of  17 there.

This is the most idiotic thing he has ever said......  By far.

On the bright side, he just set a match to his thin chances of ever becoming POTUS.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Stefanik Statement on January 6
Jan 5, 2022

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today released the following statement:
 
“On January 6, 2021, I strongly and clearly condemned the violence and destruction that occurred at the U.S. Capitol - just as I strongly condemned the entire year of violence and lawlessness that raged across our nation throughout 2020. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police for their bravery and heroism on that day and to those who sacrifice and serve in law enforcement every day across the country.
 
“It is unacceptable that one year later the American people still do not have answers as to why the Capitol was left so vulnerable and how to ensure it never happens again.
 
“Rather than focusing on improving the security of the Capitol and adopting all the recommendations from the U.S. Capitol Police, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats are instead using their illegitimate partisan sham of a committee to shred Constitutional precedent and punish their political opponents. It is unprecedented, and it is dangerous.

"The American people deserve to know that the ONLY office that is off limits to this investigation is the Speaker’s office. The Speaker of the House oversees the Sergeant at Arms who, at her direction, has refused to turn over documents and communications related to January 6th. The fact is that Nancy Pelosi bears responsibility as Speaker of the House for leaving the Capitol so vulnerable despite multiple warnings and requests, and now she is responsible for the cover-up of that fact.
 
 “As I stated on the House Floor as the Representative for New York's 21st Congressional District, I believe that the most precious foundation and the most sacred covenant of our Republic is the right to vote and the faith in the security of our nation's free and fair elections. I swore an oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution, and I stand by my objection to the electors of certain states based on the unconstitutional overreach by unelected state officials and judges ignoring state election laws. I am committed to working to strengthen our elections and rebuild that faith, so that our elections are free, fair, secure, safe, and most importantly, that they are according to the United States Constitution."

Below and here are Congresswoman Stefanik’s House Floor Remarks delivered on January 6, 2021:

More:  https://stefanik.house.gov/2022/1/stefanik-statement-on-january-6

[Smokin Joe]

What kind of stupidity is this?  Let the democrats own the Jan. 6 Kangaroo court on their own.

Tut-tut about the damage that was done by some too-curious tourists to the Capitol, but emphasize that none of them was armed, none of them could have offered more than token resistance to any law enforcement, and that the only carnage that took place were the two tourists who were killed in cold blood by the Capitol Police themselves.

This is the same mindless stupidity the GOP uses when they "negotiate".

Cede the main point, then quibble over minor details.

Time to quit.

I would bet an honest accounting would find that those committing the most egregious violations on Jan 6th were either Federal Agents, CIs, contractors, or operating under a false flag. If the video was all released, those  actors would have been identified by now, which is why it will not be. (Yes, people would have pored over all 14K+ hours by now)

[Kamaji]

This is the same mindless stupidity the GOP uses when they "negotiate".

Cede the main point, then quibble over minor details.

Time to quit.

I would bet an honest accounting would find that those committing the most egregious violations on Jan 6th were either Federal Agents, CIs, contractors, or operating under a false flag. If the video was all released, those  actors would have been identified by now, which is why it will not be. (Yes, people would have pored over all 14K+ hours by now)

Agreed. 

[Hoodat]

Stefanik Statement on January 6
Jan 5, 2022

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today released the following statement:
 
“On January 6, 2021, I strongly and clearly condemned the violence and destruction that occurred at the U.S. Capitol - just as I strongly condemned the entire year of violence and lawlessness that raged across our nation throughout 2020. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police for their bravery and heroism on that day and to those who sacrifice and serve in law enforcement every day across the country.
 
“It is unacceptable that one year later the American people still do not have answers as to why the Capitol was left so vulnerable and how to ensure it never happens again.
 
“Rather than focusing on improving the security of the Capitol and adopting all the recommendations from the U.S. Capitol Police, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats are instead using their illegitimate partisan sham of a committee to shred Constitutional precedent and punish their political opponents. It is unprecedented, and it is dangerous.

"The American people deserve to know that the ONLY office that is off limits to this investigation is the Speaker’s office. The Speaker of the House oversees the Sergeant at Arms who, at her direction, has refused to turn over documents and communications related to January 6th. The fact is that Nancy Pelosi bears responsibility as Speaker of the House for leaving the Capitol so vulnerable despite multiple warnings and requests, and now she is responsible for the cover-up of that fact.  .  .  .

Never thought I would see the day where Elise Stefanik lines up to the right of Ted Cruz.