January 6 Capitol Riot: on Government Reform

Adam Schiff: Congress responsible for allowing new authoritarianism

Midnight is the darkest moment of the day everywhere in the world. But it is also the most hopeful, because everything that comes after holds the promise of light. America has a genius for reinvention, and we must use it. From the same forces of bigotry that divided and nearly defeated us in the Civil War, yes, but from something new to the American landscape as well: a dangerous experimentation with a uniquely American brand of authoritarianism.

Charles Schumer: We need independent commission on insurrection

"But just as glaring is what the report didn't consider," Schumer said. "Indeed, what it was not allowed to consider. The report did not investigate, report on, or hardly make any reference to the actual cause--the actual impetus--for the attack on January 6."

"With the exception of a brief reference to former President Trump's remarks at the ellipse, Senate Republicans insisted that the report exclude anything having to do with the cause of the insurrection," he said.

"If anything, the joint report by the Homeland Security and Rules committees has strengthened the argument for an independent commission on January 6."

Chris Christie: If inciting an insurrection isn't impeachable, what is?

Asked whether he'd vote to impeach if he were in the House, Christie replied: "Well, if I think it's an impeachable offense that's exactly what I would do. I think if inciting to insurrection isn't [impeachable], then I don't really know what is."

Darren Bailey: Opposed bipartisan insurrection commission; it's nonsense

Ilhan Omar: Removing Trump is a matter of preserving our Republic

"I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment," Omar wrote. "Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate. We can't allow him to remain in office, it's a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath."

James Lankford: Opposed bipartisan commission on Capitol insurrection

"I think it's a bad idea," Lankford said. "The commission they say is going to end by December -- there's absolutely no way that commission would end by December. It would go on for years and years and they would stretch it out for political reasons."

Jamie Raskin: We cannot have presidents inciting mob violence

"Senators, this cannot be the future of America," Raskin said during his tearful speech. "We cannot have presidents inciting and mobilizing mob violence against our government and our institutions because they refuse to accept the will of the people under the Constitution of the United States."

Rand Paul commented, "Rep Raskin says Trump promoted the 'big lie' that the election was stolen but didn't Raskin promote the 'big lie' that Trump stole the election in 2016? Wasn't it Jamie Raskin who 'incited violence' by objecting to Trump electors?"

Joe Biden: Our democracy is under unprecedented assault

"Our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we have seen in modern times," Biden said.

Joe Biden: An existential crisis, a test of whether democracy survives

But six months later, we can say unequivocally that democracy did prevail--and that we must all continue the work to protect and preserve it. That requires people of goodwill and courage to stand up to the hate, the lies, and the extremism that led to this vicious attack, including determining what happened so that we can remember it and not bury it hoping we forget.

Joe Biden: Former president wants to suppress vote & subvert elections

Right now in state after state, new laws are being written. Not to protect the vote, but to deny it. Not only to suppress the vote, but to subvert it, not to strengthen or protect our democracy, but because the former president lost. Instead of looking at election results from 2020 and saying they need new ideas or better ideas to win more votes, the former president and his supporters have decided the only way for them to win is to suppress your vote and subvert our elections.

It's wrong. It's undemocratic, and frankly, it's un-American.

Joe Biden: Won't allow a dagger at the throat of democracy

To lift us up. Not tear us apart. It's about us, not about me. Deep in the heart of America, burns a flame lit almost 250 years ago of liberty, freedom and equality. This is not the land of kings or dictators or autocrats.

We're a nation of laws of order, not chaos, of peace, not violence. Here in America, the people rule, through the ballot. And their will prevails.

John Neely Kennedy: Ensuring election transparency is a noble goal

Sen. Kennedy said in a statement that he went to the Capitol to give a voice to Louisianians who were concerned about election integrity. "I joined several Senate colleagues in calling for a bipartisan commission to inspect election issues raised across the country," Kennedy said. "Our proposal was not successful, but our goal to ensure full confidence and transparency in our elections - for all Americans - is a noble one, and I'll keep pursuing it."

Lisa Murkowski: Trump encouraged Jan. 6 rioters; he should resign

"If there is such chaos, if right now the president can't focus on anything except his own anger," she said, "then how do we assure America that we're safe?"

Republicans who did not repudiate Trump earlier, who did not think it would get this bad, bear some responsibility, she said. She includes herself in that group. "I allowed myself to refrain from speaking my truth," Murkowski said. "And I can't just be quiet right now."

With 12 days left in his term, she said she doesn't think it's practical to attempt to remove the president through impeachment or the 25th Amendment. "The Congress would be consumed with impeachment if we start that now," she said.

Liz Cheney: Trump is at war "with the rule of law and the Constitution"

"Will we put duty to our oath above partisan politics or will we look away from the danger and the threat, embrace the lies and enable the liar?" Cheney asked. "There is no gray area when it comes to that question, when it comes to this moment. There is no middle ground."

Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection. Her fierce criticism of Trump and her insistence that Congress investigate the Capitol attack resulted in her being removed from her position as GOP conference chair and led to a serious primary challenge back home.

Mitch McConnell: Trump practically, morally responsible for riots

"There's no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day," McConnell said shortly after the 57-43 Senate vote that ended in the former president's acquittal. "The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president," he said, "and having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories & reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting."

But McConnell said impeachment is a "limited tool" and that Trump is not "constitutionally eligible for conviction." "The Constitution gives us a particular role. This body is not invited to act as the nation's overarching moral tribunal," he said.

Mitt Romney: It was an insurrection against the Constitution

Phil Scott: The fabric of our democracy is under attack

Rashida Tlaib: Impeach Trump for giving insurrection marching orders

Tlaib's most recent call for impeachment comes after Trump incited unprecedented violence at the U.S. Capitol building, which found a mob of right-wing rioters injuring police, smashing windows, leaving cryptic and threatening messages on the desks of representatives, trashing offices of public officials, and using the Senate chamber as a psychotic photo opportunity--all in hopes of overthrowing the certification of President-Elect Joe Biden.

"This is on Donald Trump, period. He called folks to D.C. and gave them marching orders. He needs to be impeached and removed immediately," Tlaib wrote on Twitter.

Republican Party: 2021: it was an assault, 2022: it was not an insurrection

This was an assault on the constitutional process of transferring power after an election. It was also an assault on the legislature from an executive sworn to uphold the laws of the United States.

By January 6, 2022, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board had adjusted its tune:

One lesson is that on all the available evidence Jan. 6 was not an "insurrection," in any meaningful sense of that word. It was not an attempted coup. The Justice Department and the House Select Committee have looked high and low for a conspiracy to overthrow the government, and maybe they will find it. So far they haven't.

[OnTheIssues note: WSJ's editorial opinion is representative of many Republican politicians on this issue].

Chuck Grassley: Update Electoral Count Act to avoid another January 6th

Asked if he would have declared Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election had he been presiding over the joint session of Congress in place of Pence, Grassley dismissed the question. "That's not even a legitimate question because we are taking care of that issue right now by making sure in this legislation that I hope passes in November, December when we get back, that the vice president has got no discretion whatsoever," Grassley said. "His job is strictly ministerial. Just count the votes, nothing more."

Mitch McConnell: Would absolutely vote for Trump if renominated in 2024

The Kentucky Republican's comments come just weeks after he delivered a pointed rebuke of Trump on the Senate floor for fomenting the deadly US Capitol insurrection. Though McConnell voted to acquit Trump anyway, he called the former President's actions that preceded the riot "a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty."

In response, Trump ripped McConnell in a lengthy statement, calling him "a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack."

"He will never do what needs to be done, or what is right for our Country. Where necessary and appropriate, I will back primary rivals who espouse Making America Great Again and our policy of America First. We want brilliant, strong, thoughtful, and compassionate leadership," Trump said.