Doggett: Healing our country

I write today with hope that at least a few passionate Trump supporters may consider my views. Trump voters have my respect, but also my respectful, strong disagreement. With the election over, I encourage your continued, peaceful participation in our democracy.

We do need to begin with the same facts. President Trump lost this election—fair and square. He failed to produce any evidence of fraud or wrongdoing to justify his oft-repeated claims. Over sixty courts, many with Republican judges—including many appointed by Trump—rejected his meritless lawsuits.

If a candidate for mayor or county judge insisted that Hays election officials find him more votes or throw out an opponent’s votes, he would likely be indicted. That is exactly what Trump did in threatening the Trump-supporting, lifelong Republican Georgia Secretary of State in a recorded call.

Peaceful transition of power is essential to democracy. Votes are not to be ignored because the loser is unhappy with the outcome. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell responded to those of my Republican colleagues, who sought to throw out millions of legal votes, by rightfully declaring that they would send America's democracy into a “death spiral.”

After repeated failed attempts to intimidate both Republican election officials into committing fraud and Republican-appointed judges into ignoring our Constitution, Trump summoned supporters to Washington to stop the constitutionally-mandated final count of the electoral votes. He exhorted them to go to Congress and “fight like hell” or else “you’re not going to have a country anymore.” His personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, joined to urge, “Let’s have trial by combat.” The insurrectionists complied.

Using the American flag as battering ram and attacking police, they sought to overthrow the Congressional branch of our government. Aides say Trump seemed to enjoy watching the attack on television, while declining to respond with help or to call off attackers.

One group dragged an officer down the stairs, tasering him, yelling: “Kill him with his own gun!” Another killed an officer by hitting his head with a fire extinguisher. Others shouted, “Hang M i k e Pence!” Some apparently intended to kidnap and/or assassinate some lawmakers.

Claims that violence was really the work of infiltrators such as Antifa have been disproven. Those shown in multiple videos, who have been arrested, are passionate Trump supporters. Some of these apprehended attackers are even claiming a “Trump made me do it” defense, requesting pardons.

As Representative Liz Cheney, House Republican Conference Chair and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, said: “The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing.” Now, five Americans are

Now, five Americans are dead, our Capitol is scarred, and this bloody chaos provides our enemies abroad with new ammunition they are using against America over and over.

The House, including ten Republicans—though, sadly, none from Texas—has now voted for impeachment. We not only demanded accountability for Trump’s gross misconduct, but, more importantly, we declared to any future aspiring tyrant: Not in America. We love our country too much.

Our democracy has survived. Now the question is whether we can repair the damage or only heighten the division. No political party has a monopoly on truth. We need a strong two party system—a competition of ideas—but not a cult of personality of the type that surrounds most foreign tyrants in which the great leader can do no wrong and truth is defined by what helps him, not by what is factual.

We all have a responsibility, including Trump voters, to join in healing our country and restoring faith in one another. I am always ready to work with anyone of goodwill. Let’s really make America greater with mutual respect and by uniting around our love of country to meet the challenges and seek a better future.

U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) represents Texas’ 35th District in the United States House of Representatives, including much of San Marcos and Hays County.