Do Not Underestimate the Trauma Caused by the Capitol Rioters (Let’s Be Real, They Were Terrorists)

If you’re not ready to accept the truth of what happened on January 6, it’s best to stop reading now. There’s no clever twist to this narrative. Throughout their testimonies, brave individuals like Officer Rodriguez, Officer Lane, and Officer Carter openly asked, “Why is it so hard to face the truth?”

It’s been seven months since that day, and we still owe these men, and our nation, answers. What transpired was a horrifying attack by home-grown terrorists—not mere protestors or rioters, but terrorists, plain and simple. For those who struggle to comprehend the gravity of this situation, I ask: why is it so difficult to acknowledge the truth?

The Reality of That Day

Like many, I was glued to my screen, horrified as I witnessed something I had only read about in history books. Such events don’t happen in democratic nations; they occur under authoritarian regimes. But it happened here, and the repercussions continue to resonate.

The toll is not just physical injuries or surgeries; it’s about the long-lasting, invisible scars that will forever haunt those involved. Did you know Officer Rodriguez served in Afghanistan? During his testimony, he likened that day to his time in combat. “I willingly faced danger in war zones, yet on January 6th, I felt more fear at the Capitol than during my entire deployment,” he shared.

Officer Lane, who was unexpectedly present that day, recounted the harrowing moments as a mob descended upon him. “They tore my badge off, stripped me of my radio, and I heard them chant, ‘Get his gun and kill him with it.’” Can you even begin to fathom that fear? Despite pleading for mercy by mentioning his children, he faced continued assault, resulting in a heart attack, concussion, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD.

The testimony from Officer Carter was equally distressing. He was trapped between a door and the mob, who coordinated their attack with chilling chants. The screams for help still echo in my mind, a haunting reminder of the chaos that unfolded.

Officer Carter’s experience was compounded by the racial hatred directed at him during the attack. This should come as no surprise, given the rhetoric from those who incited the chaos that day.

Time to Confront the Truth, No Matter How Uncomfortable

Seven months later, the biggest challenge remains: the refusal of some politicians to acknowledge the truth. Officer Lane poignantly stated, “Many of the people I risked my life to protect are downplaying or outright denying what happened. I feel like I went through hell, only for them to say it wasn’t that bad.”

How dare anyone diminish the trauma these individuals have faced? Heart attacks, surgeries, and lifelong trauma aside, the experiences they endured are incomparable. Just last week, it was reported that a third defender of the Capitol died by suicide. Yet, some still have the audacity to claim it wasn’t that serious. Some even suggest it was an FBI plot—seriously?!

I refuse to engage with such ridiculous theories. What matters now is how we move forward as a nation.

Embrace the Truth and Move On—It’s That Simple

How can we process these harrowing accounts? Can we ever find justice for the treasonous acts that occurred? We can start by doing what Officer Lane urged Congress to do: tell the truth. It’s not complicated. If admitting complicity in this behavior makes you uncomfortable, good. It should.

Make sure your representatives understand that you condemn these actions. It’s their job to listen to you. When there are attacks on our nation, whether from domestic or foreign terrorists, there must be consequences. No one has the right to terrorize others simply because they disagree with the outcomes of a democratic process.

Officer Lane has even shared threats he’s received from those who support the former president. I refuse to give any more attention to such people. Instead, Congress must ensure that these brave survivors of trauma are not subjected to further public scrutiny without action being taken. We cannot allow such treason to go unpunished. We must acknowledge what transpired, hold individuals accountable, and strive to heal as a nation.

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Summary

The events of January 6, 2021, were a significant attack on democracy, leaving deep psychological and physical scars on those who defended the Capitol. The ongoing denial and downplaying of this trauma are unacceptable. Acknowledging the truth is crucial for healing and moving forward as a society.