First, a vocabulary lesson to contextualize, in proper AP European History fashion.
Coup d’état: an overt attempt of military action taken against a political seat.
Self-Coup d’état: a political leader attempting to continue their rein through illegal means.
This terminology originated from the 18th-century French Revolution, where civilians took up arms against the absolutist rule of King Louis XVI. How do civilians rebel? For starters, they storm the national Bastille, a prison representing the monarchical abuse of power, in an armed revolt. But that was life 234 years ago within an Absolute Monarchy with no civil liberties. Surely, these acts of military aggression could never touch a modern-day, developed, Constitutional Federal Democratic Republic, right? Wrong. The United States of America experienced a taste of this French turmoil on Jan. 6, 2021.
Four years ago, on Jan. 6, the United States Capitol Building faced a boorish insurrection, in an attempted self-coup d’état by President Donald Trump. This mob action, incited by the 2020 presidential election, was an attempt to interrupt the joint congress session where Congress would complete the electoral vote count that confirmed the victory of Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate.
After Trump’s uncouth speech resembling a battle cry, urging his supporters to “fight like Hell” and threatening congress members and even his own vice-president Mike Pence, his supporters followed his lead, declaring “hang Mike Pence” as they charged through.
Over 2,000 rioters stormed the Capital following the premeditated plan of far-right extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and Three Percenters. These groups had orchestrated the frighteningly lengthy planning process of the attack; studying the Capital’s labyrinth of underground tunnels, raising funds for paramilitary equipment, and placing pipe bombs in predetermined locations.
Today marked the fourth anniversary of this insurrection. But even as years pass, this attack on Democracy still has complex and long-lasting impacts.
Jan. 6 was the eruption of continuous right-winged wrongs. It is no secret that the Republican National Committee (GOP) has a history of supporting conspiracy theories on topics like climate change, taxes, and even race. Only now, their deeply rooted false truths were released through a violent mob, and not just a news segment on Channel 2.
A direct effect of this is increased polarization within the House of Representatives. According to NPR, many representatives from both sides, such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, have since refused to partner with anyone who had voted against the Democratic voice of the people on Jan. 6. Fueling the heightened tension in the Chamber, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ordered the installation of metal detectors at the entrance of the House floor. This sparked debate between the two parties, with some Democrats fearing for their safety, and some Republicans feeling accused.
Political parties heavily rely on producer groups, business partners, and sponsors to fuel their campaigns. The Republican Party often serves as the ideal candidate for these transactions, for their support of controversial economic policies like tax cuts. However, as a result of the Capital insurrection, many former GOP supporters, like the National Association of Manufacturers, have labeled the attack as “sedition” and projected them as unfit business partners for future endeavors. Many businesses now pay greater attention to fact-based politics than claim-based politics, ultimately leaning towards the left wing.
Although political polarization and national economics are severe effects of the attack, I believe the most disappointing and disturbing impact was the heightened presence of sociocultural disrespect. Charging up the 365 steps to destroy and loot the Capital building became the equivalent of taking 90,885 steps back in reform and progress the United States has achieved, one step for each day since America gained independence.
The Confederate flag and neo-nazi symbols were coupled with Trump banners and suspended in the air. What was this meant to represent? Projected along with the makeshift noose and gallows constructed in front of the capital was a photo of our President’s face. What was this meant to represent?
This protest completely disgraced everything our country is supposed to stand for, abusing First Amendment rights with hate speech, and sullying the right to assembly with violence. I have been scared of national events before, but not until Jan. 6 did I feel true fear. If this was how people responded to the valid and encompassing voice of the people when they disagreed, how would the voice of minorities ever be represented without a fight? As a woman, as a minor, and as a Muslim, an all-encompassing governmental respect seems far out of reach for myself, and others with underserved identities.
Respect is absent from the table with freedom and liberty. This can not be the precedent for civil discourse, but it seems to be heading in that direction. After Jan. 6, America saw violence pardoned. They saw their fellow citizens forge an attack on American principles with ease. They saw conspiracy theories chanted on the steps of our Capital, that were echoed in the Chamber by members of Congress. They saw a nation built on the Enlightenment ideals of popular sovereignty and natural rights rip at the seams. Now, there is a significant trend in violence across the board. From school shootings to anomalous assassination attempts on a presidential candidate, Jan. 6 has indirectly awoken a new standard of dangerous behavior.
Right now, we’re in desperate need of leaders who allocate the necessary attention to social and political reconciliation. Whose priority is to resew the frayed fibers of our society and act in the best interest of our people. In France, the revolution began from within. It only took a few examples of defiance to illustrate what an angry Estate is capable of. But there’s a difference between us and them, right?
