Morning Briefing: Select Committee Hearing Connects Trump's Rhetoric to Violent Extremists
Morning Briefing: Select Committee Hearing Connects Trump's Rhetoric to Violent Extremists
During the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, committee members and witnesses connected former President Donald Trump's rhetoric to right-wing extremist violence during Capitol Riot.
Morning Briefing: The U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack held a public hearing that made the case that former President Donald Trump called on his supporters to gather in Washington, D.C. to pressure the U.S. Congress to overturn the results of 2020 election results, and that right-wing extremists viewed Trump’s rhetoric as a called to action—including violence.
Stephen Ayres, who participated in the Capitol Riot and has plead guilty to “disorderly and disruptive conduct,” testified that following Trump on social media led him down a path to participating in the Capitol Riot:
“I followed President Trump on all of the websites. He basically put out, ‘Come to the Stop the Steal rally’ and I felt like I needed to be down here.”
After the hearing, Ayres reportedly “apologized to Washington Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges and former Capitol police officer Aquilino Gonell.”
Jason Van Tatenhove, former spokesperson for the Oath Keepers, testified and provided insight into “the apocalyptic worldview that underpins far-right movements,” including the Oath Keepers, Three Percenters, and Proud Boys:
“I think we saw a glimpse of what the vision of the Oath Keepers is on January 6th. It doesn't necessarily include the rule of law. It doesn't necessarily include — it includes violence.”
Rep. Liz Cheney also revealed that the former President attempted to call a witness expected to testify during a future hearing: “…after our last hearing, President Trump tried to call a witness in our investigation. A witness you have not yet seen in these hearings. That person declined to answer or respond to President Trump's call and instead alerted their lawyer to the call.”
Must Reads
Rebekah Robinson interviews Jared Holt: “The internet doesn’t make extremism. Political extremism has existed since the early days of this country and will probably continue in some form or another. But the internet has been utilized to reach more people with less effort. They can do it very quickly, and if they are careful, they can do it anonymously. It’s not just an internet problem but indicative of a certain amount of social disorder within the U.S. that is not being adequately addressed.” [Coda]
Elizabeth Dias writes that there is an increasing number of “right-wing candidates for public office who explicitly aim to promote Christian power in America. The religious right has long supported conservative causes, but this current wave seeks more: a nation that actively prioritizes their particular set of Christian beliefs and far-right views and that more openly embraces Christianity as a bedrock identity. Many dismiss the historic American principle of the separation of church and state. They say they do not advocate a theocracy, but argue for a foundational role for their faith in government. Their rise coincides with significant backing among like-minded grass-roots supporters, especially as some voters and politicians blend their Christian faith with election fraud conspiracy theories, QAnon ideology, gun rights and lingering anger over Covid-related restrictions.” [The New York Times]
Elliott Negin writes that “ALEC’s disinformation starts with how the group describes itself. Originally called the Conservative Caucus of State Legislators, ALEC falsely claims it is a ‘nonpartisan’ organization that enables private sector members to collaborate with legislators on policies and programs promoting what it calls ‘Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism, and individual liberty’—a classic libertarian mantra. Nonpartisan? Hardly. Virtually all of the roughly 2,000 state lawmakers, officials and staffers who pay a token fee of $200 for a two-year ALEC membership are Republicans. Likewise, despite ALEC’s positive gloss, the principles it espouses would establish a corporatocracy.” [Union of Concerned Scientists]
What to expect from Radical Reports: Morning Briefing provides a daily round-up of reporting on the Radical Right; Extremist Links offers a weekly round-up of extremists activities including the white supremacist and militia movements; Research Desk provides monthly highlights research and analysis from academia on the Radical Right; Field Notes delivers research on key organizations and analysis of the strategies and tactics of the Radical Right.
As a former Muslim, I find it very interesting that Americans are so terrified of Islam but don't take seriously the enormous threat radical Christianity poses to America.