Barack Obama's Sad Reaction To The Unrest In D.C.
More than chaotic, the rioting and unrest caused by the actions of MAGA extremists in Washington D.C. yesterday left the nation heartbroken and scared. Americans looked on in horror as "mayhem," as the New York Post described it, fell upon the Capitol.
Harper's Bazaar noted that with the complete lack of leadership from President Trump, combined with his decision to incite rather than condemn the actions of his loyalist followers, "[r]ioters broke through doors and smashed in windows, took deranged selfies with law enforcement and inside government officials' offices, and more cheered on the debauchery from outside the Capitol's walls."
In an effort to assuage the fears of citizens left uninformed and without a voice of reason, former President Barack Obama stepped up and released a formal response, saying what many Americans were already thinking. Placing the blame directly at the feet of our current sitting president, Obama lamented, "History will rightly remember today's violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation." He unapologetically continued, "But we'd be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise."
Barack Obama praised Republicans brave enough to stand against President Trump
Calling out conservative media, and the current administration's devout political allies, Barack Obama scolded, "For two months now, a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem has too often been unwilling to tell their truth — that this was not a particularly close election and that President-Elect Biden will be inaugurated on January 20." With the eloquence and leadership the American people desperately needed on such a dark day, he continued, "Their fantasy narrative has spiraled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentment. Now we're seeing the consequences, whipped up into a violent crescendo."
In a political call to arms that was decidedly different from Trump's rebel rousing, he demanded, "Republican leaders have a choice made clear in the desecrated chambers of democracy. They can continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires. Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames. They can choose America."
Applauding his Republican peers brave enough to stand up for the democratic process, the former president concluded, "Their voices add to the examples of Republican state and local election officials in states like Georgia who've refused to be intimidated and have discharged their duties honorably. We need more leaders like these — right now and in the days, weeks, and months ahead as President-Elect Biden works to restore a common purpose to our politics." Closing, he said, "It's up to all of us as Americans, regardless of party, to support him in that goal."