John,
Today, Donald Trump was subpoenaed by Congress for his role in the January 6th insurrection. New footage was released of Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer desperately looking for help and protection for the people inside the Capitol.
Due to the actions of a small group of people - Democrats and Republicans alike - who worked with Capitol police and others, people were able to get out of the Capitol safely, and the election was eventually certified.
The January 6th Committee’s subpoena of Donald Trump is a step forward in the search to uncover the extent of the former President’s role in stoking the flames of hate, division, and vitriol that led to the deadly attack on our nation’s Capitol.
As I watched the news today, I thought about what it would mean if it wasn’t Speaker Pelosi on the phone with the Governor of Virginia asking for help from the National Guard, and instead it was Kevin McCarthy.
I thought about how even in the face of violence, destruction, and at great risk to their own safety, there were leaders in the Capitol that day who were determined to certify the election of President Biden, and honor the will of the people. There were leaders in that building on January 6th who saved our democracy.
If Republicans take back control of the House, we know that they would shut down the investigation of January 6th on day one. We know that they will try and overturn the next election. We simply cannot allow this to happen.
And we won’t.
Between now and November 8th we will vote, we will organize, and we will stand up for what is right.
We cannot take our democracy for granted – and protecting it will be one of my top priorities in Congress.
The anti-democratic forces unleashed and amplified by the former President continue to define his party, and make the future of democracy in America more uncertain than ever – but I’m prepared to hold the line for our values, our principles, and our country in Congress.
We have 26 days until the midterms, and every one of us can affect the outcome of this election. So get involved, and vote. We have power when we stand together.
In solidarity,
Becca Balint