Five years ago today, I was on the floor of the U.S. Senate undertaking my constitutional duty to certify the results of 2020's free, fair and democratic presidential election.

That day, meant to affirm American democracy, became one of the darkest in our history.

At the reckless incitement by Donald Trump, a mob of his supporters violently stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop the 45th peaceful transition of power since John Adams succeeded George Washington.

Trump's insurrectionists ransacked and battered a symbol of American democracy. They tried to hunt down leaders in both political parties, spewing racial epithets and wearing T-shirts with racist and Holocaust-denying slogans on them.

Thanks to the bravery of the Capitol Police and National Guard, the insurrection was quelled. Congress resumed and certified the results of the election. In spite of Donald Trump, democracy prevailed that day.

But five years later, our democracy is once again under threat by the same man.

As soon as he took office last year, President Trump issued blanket pardons and sentence commutations for all the insurrectionists – nearly 1,600 of them – who attacked the Capitol and tried to thwart a free and fair election on Trump's behalf on Jan. 6.

These were people who wore racist garb and shouted racial slurs as they attacked the Capitol. These are people who were part of or even led far-right fascist organizations. These are people who came armed with weapons, attacked police and called for the hanging of then-Vice President Pence, even erecting gallows on the grounds of the Capitol. 

With the stroke of a pen, Donald Trump allowed his insurrectionists to go free. Due to the cowardice of some of my colleagues in the Senate, Trump himself was never convicted for inciting the insurrection after being impeached by the House. Just a few years later, the Republican establishment laid the path for Trump's return to power.

We are now experiencing the consequences: Trump is weaponizing the federal government to prosecute political opponents while trying to erase constitutional checks and balances. He is concentrating more power into his own hands as Republicans in Congress turn a blind eye. He is defying the rule of law and using his power to benefit the ultra-wealthy as working Americans foot the bill.

The solutions to our nation's greatest challenges – and the determination to continuously strengthen American democracy – will never come from a broken Washington that Donald Trump controls. As I have said again and again since the outset of my campaign for governor, the fight must be led from Colorado.

You have my word that, as the next governor of Colorado, I will work to make our state a beacon of hope to the rest of the country. I will prioritize building an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. I will be a governor who fosters freedom and opportunity for all who call Colorado home.

If you're with me, if you believe in protecting our democracy from Trump by electing strong Democratic governors, then I'm asking you to chip in $5 or whatever you can to help elect me as Colorado's next governor. Let's use the anniversary of this dark day to build toward something better and elect leaders who will serve as the strongest check against the insurrectionist in the White House.

[link removed]

With gratitude,

Michael

[link removed]



--------

This email was sent to [email protected].

To unsubscribe from this email list, please click here: unsubscribe: [link removed]

Bennet for Governor
PO Box 270117
Louisville, CO 80027
United States

Paid for by Bennet for Governor. Registered Agent: Tracie Moore.