Dear Editor,
The recent release of the 165-page revised federal indictment (available online) of Trump’s acts surrounding the 2020 election and Jan. 6th insurrection is a stark reminder of potential trouble.
Trump refused to accept his defeat in 2020, after which he and his allies attempted a scheme to subvert voters’ will. They pressured legislators to declare him the winner of states he had lost, organized slates of fake Electoral College electors, bullied Mike Pence to refuse to certify the results, and agitated his supporters for weeks.
On Jan. 6th, a half-dozen people died, about 150 police officers were injured, and hundreds of people were traumatized by the mob.
Damage suffered to the Capitol totaled more than $2.8 million. More than 1,265 defendants have been charged with crimes. How can anyone profess to believe in the rule of law and still back Trump?
Trump has continued to promote the same lies. In 2022, he suggested the “termination” of the Constitution to overturn the election. He has embraced people charged in connection with the attack, calling them “hostages,” and has signaled that he would pardon them if elected again. How can anyone profess to “back the blue,” watch what happened to those police officers, and still back Trump?
Trump and Vance have refused to commit to accepting the 2024 election results and have not dismissed the possibility of violence if they lose. Dozens of his former cabinet and staff have refused to support him. Dozens of his surrogates have been convicted of felonies.
Do you want a person of this character to be the leader of the free world? VOTE. It’s up to us. Early voting has started as of Oct. 15.
V. Johnson, A. Koppelmann, B. Gilkison For Lake Country Democrats