Friend, two years ago today, an angry mob that Donald Trump invited to Washington, D.C., burst into the halls of the Capitol.

For those who weren't in the building, it's easy to forget the horror of that day – but I can never forget. I can never forget the way all of us, regardless of party affiliation or state, crouched together and held our breaths. At that moment, we weren't politicians – we were people afraid that ourselves, our staff and our democracy would be harmed.

But Donald Trump, ever the master of manipulation, refused to take blame for the violent riots that would claim the lives of nine people. Instead, he demanded full loyalty from the same people that he put in danger – and days later, they defended him in his second impeachment trail.

Friend, the Jan. 6 committee recently issued their final report, which declared that the central cause of the insurrection was "one man" and then described Trump's "multi-part plan" to overturn the 2020 election. And yet, the members of Trump's party continue to blindly defend his honor.

Friend, it is clear: Donald Trump is a threat to our nation. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to keep him out of the White House, and I hope you'll join me.

With Trump now running for president a third time, we must spend every moment of 2023 fighting back. So I have to ask: Will you make a donation to my team so I can continue to fight against far-right extremism and deceit?

Thank you for taking the time to hear me out on this tragic anniversary.

Ben Ray