‘Things might get real, real bad on Jan. 6’

At RAM, we said from the start that we would defeat extremism, either by reforming our politics or charting a new path forward. The further we’ve gotten into election season, and the more we’ve seen revealed by the Jan. 6 hearings—including today’s explosive testimony—the less reform seems likely, and the more we’re looking for something completely and entirely new. The fate of our democracy is being dismissed as a partisan issue, and culprits in the scheme to overturn elections aren’t just staying in office, they are expanding their numbers. We are watching live, oath-sworn testimony about the threads by which our right to self-government hangs, and the hatchetmen working to sever them. But our democracy did endure, thanks to principled Americans who refused to give up those rights on which our nation was founded. The defenders of democracy come from across the political spectrum—and you’re a vital part of that coalition. Your commitment to fixing our politics and safeguarding our democracy is essential to finding that better way forward for us all. That work carries on. It must carry on. In America, the people are the authors of our future, and we must write the next chapter of the last, best hope for mankind on Earth. That is our mission. The American story is in our hands, and what we write cannot be a rehash of the same institutions that led us to this moment. Let’s make a bold stroke, and chart a novel path toward the more perfect union we are called to become. —Mike Ongstad, Communications Director, Renew America Movement

• Russian strike on shopping center a war crime, say G7 leaders —BBC News

• 46 migrants found dead inside 18-wheeler in San Antonio —New York Daily News

• 7 things to watch for in primaries in Colorado, Illinois, and other states —CNN

• U.S. Supreme Court takes aim at separation of church and state —Reuters

• Pelosi says Democrats are mulling plans to protect abortion access, data stored in reproductive health apps —CNBC

Say hello to ‘Jane Dean’

If you were waiting for someone to fill the role John Dean played during the Watergate hearings in the Jan. 6 investigation, you may have seen her emerge today in the form of Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. She testified for two hours before the House select committee at a hastily scheduled public hearing, painting a damning portrait of Donald Trump, her former boss, and others within the inner circle. The panel cannot bring legal charges against Trump, but it is masterfully fulfilling its mission to uncover the full scope of his scheme to stop the transfer of power and connect those efforts to the violence that occurred at the Capitol. If the Justice Department, the ultimate arbiter in the matter, opts to press criminal charges, Hutchinson’s testimony may well play into that decision. Here are some of the biggest reveals… —CNN

• “I don’t f*cking care that they have weapons.” Hutchinson testified that Trump, Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and others were well aware of the potential for violence on Jan. 6, but, instead of taking extra precautions or attempting to defuse it, they did the opposite. Trump urged Secret Service to allow his armed supporters to attend the speech he delivered at the rally held on the Ellipse ahead of the Capitol riot. “They’re not here to hurt me. Take the f*cking mags away,” Trump said, referring to metal detectors—or magnometers—that were deterring supporters carrying weapons from entering the area. —National Review

• “I'm the f*cking president…take me up to the Capitol now!” During the rally, Trump told the crowd that he would accompany them to the Capitol—surprising his staff, who knew it wasn't feasible. Describing what she was told by another White House aide, Tony Ornato, Hutchinson testified that Trump lunged at a Secret Service agent in a rage in the presidential limousine when told he could not be taken there. Trump also grabbed the steering wheel of the limo in a fury, Hutchinson said.

• Where are you, Pat? White House lawyers also were strongly opposed to Trump going to the Capitol, fearing it could lead to criminal charges. White House counsel Pat Cipollone expressly warned, “We’re going to get charged with every crime imaginable." Cipollone also was stunned by Trump's reaction to the "hang Mike Pence" chants. “He thinks Mike deserves it,” Meadows told him. “He doesn't think they're doing anything wrong." Cipollone replied, “This is f*cking crazy.” By all accounts, Cipollone was one of the few adults in the room. Sure would be great to get his testimony next…🤞—CNBC

MORE JAN. 6 NEWS: 

• Proud Boys and Oath Keepers mentioned in Jan. 6 planning meetings Giuliani attended —The Independent

• Meadows, Giuliani sought pardons after Jan. 6 —Axios

• Mike Flynn pleads the 5th when asked if Jan. 6 violence was justified —Insider

• John Eastman searched and had phone seized by federal agents last week, he says  —CNN

• Jan. 6 committee focuses on phone calls among Trump’s children and aides —The Guardian

• Senate sergeant-at-arms in charge of security during Jan. 6 riot dies —The Independent

Robiadek, Whaley, Forren & Bell: Civics education as a solution to political violence 

“The Jan. 6, 2021, attack was the first time that violence was used to halt an electoral vote count in an effort to overturn a U.S. presidential election. It came in part because of years of declining civic knowledge and trust and increasingly compartmentalized information ecosystems. Revitalizing U.S. democracy to avoid more such political violence may need more than congressional hearings.” —Katherine Robiadek, Carah Ong Whaley, John Forren & Lauren Bell in The Washington Post

Katherine Robiadek is assistant professor of political science and director of the Martha E. Church Center for Civic and Community Engagement at Hood College. Carah Ong Whaley is vice chair of the American Political Science Association’s Civic Engagement section. John Forren is associate professor at Miami University (Ohio) and executive director of Miami’s Menard Family Center for Democracy. Lauren Bell is professor of political science and dean of academic affairs at Randolph-Macon College.

MORE: Election workers don’t feel safe despite federal effort to combat threats —The New York Times

Ed Board: RCV is the better way—for more reasons than one

“There are numerous long-term benefits of [ranked-choice voting]—starting with the ability to punish divisive or extremist candidates, and over time reward and encourage more centrist candidates—but for today, just focus on this: If the Legislature adopted ranked-choice voting, we wouldn’t have to go out to the polling places a second time, we wouldn’t have to pay to run a second election, and we wouldn’t have to endure the often-nasty runoff campaigns.” —The Post and Courier

MORE: The state of voting —The Fulcrum

Weisman & Ulloa: This is why gerrymandering matters

“As abortion becomes illegal in half of the country, democratic self-governance may be nearly out of reach for some voters. By neutralizing federal rights and powers, the Supreme Court is turning states into battle zones. That goes beyond abortion and includes voting, immigration, and civil rights. … ‘Kavanaugh’s naïve theory is that the people speak and the legislature listens,’ said Samuel S. Wang, the director of the Gerrymandering Project at Princeton University. ‘But for that to happen, you need a mechanism for their influence to be felt, and in some states, what you have are political parties building a system to keep themselves in power.’” —Jonathan Weisman & Jazmine Ulloa in The New York Times

Jonathan Weisman is a congressional correspondent and author. Jazmine Ulloa covers national politics from Washington.

MORE: New poll: Voters oppose overturning Roe, back court reform —Politico

Wertz: The nation needs the political center 

“Whether it’s abortion or other controversial issues, those with the most extreme views seem to be the most motivated to fight political battles. They’re the ones writing checks, signing petitions, organizing demonstrations, and making sure they have representation on the ballot. Agreement seems to be growing that bitter, partisan battles are hindering progress on important issues and hurting the country. But those who believe in strengthening the middle will have to re-assess their priorities, find imaginative and persuasive leaders, and get ready for a long, tough battle.” —William Wertz in The Oklahoman

William Wertz was chief political correspondent for Associated Press in South Dakota and Illinois and later became a communications director for Phillips Petroleum and Walmart.

There has been so much chatter over the latest SCOTUS decisions on guns and abortion. There is a difference between the basis of the decisions. The right to bear arms is clearly stated in the Constitution, but the right to abortion is not. That doesn’t mean a right to abortion cannot ever become a constitutional right. 

Once upon a time, women didn’t have a constitutional right to vote. They do now, thanks to the addition of a constitutional amendment. Use that voting power to get abortion-friendly state legislators elected to change state laws. Organize and work to add an amendment to the Constitution.

That’s what democracy allows us to do. Use what we have and don’t make SCOTUS do our work for us. —Janet G., Virginia

Did anyone else notice that Justice Thomas wants to relitigate same-sex marriage and contraception but says nothing about interracial marriage? Maybe it's because he is in an interracial marriage. —Linda S., Texas

Both Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, appointed by Trump to the Supreme Court, testified under oath at their confirmation hearings that they considered Roe v. Wade “settled law.” No wonder only 25% of Americans think favorably of SCOTUS. Maybe this will be the wake-up call to moderates of both parties and the unaffiliated that voting for conservatives leads to extreme rulings on abortion and guns, radically overturning precedents that Americans have relied on for decades. —Suzanne L., Florida

I am an educated woman who supports the end of Roe v. Wade. I think the decisions made regarding gun control and abortion show a move toward the center rather than the extremes, which is welcome to me. I feel like abortion is a bandage put on a festering wound rather than a solution.

Children haven't been taught correctly about sex or healthy relationships for decades. Parents let television and the internet teach their children, rather than teaching them themselves, and then are surprised by the results. We can't just teach abstinence, and we also can't just teach anything goes and abortion will fix it. 

Parents are important in teaching their children correctly. I've been preparing since I was pregnant with my oldest for age-appropriate ways to teach about sex and relationships. I've also been preparing to love my children if they choose lifestyles I don't agree with, because I can't control what they are exposed to, and they have the right to choose for themselves. But I can help prepare them to make educated and thoughtful decisions.

Some gun control makes sense. I'm sorry, I know that's not conservative and supposedly goes against the right to bear arms, but the 2nd Amendment is superceded by "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," in my opinion. Should we be able to defend ourselves? Yes. But having some limits so we don't have to defend ourselves against those who need a caring friend more than they need a gun makes sense to me. —Amanda K., Idaho

The views expressed in "What's Your Take?" are submitted by readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff, the Renew America Movement, or the Renew America Foundation.