True heroes

by Bill Salterberg, Stevensville

I just endured the 5-hour Jack Smith hearing to get to the truth. My TV screen typically remains cold and black until evening hours, but I wanted to hear this daytime event in its entirety. 

The heroes of this hearing were in fact those four Capitol police officers that were present. They and all the officers suffered on January 6 and everyday since. Many have been recipients of a steady stream of threats. These Capitol policemen have received no  compensation for their hardship. They likely saved the lives of many Congressmen present, but have never received a word of thanks from any of the Republicans.  

There was one noteworthy incident. During a break, Michael Fanone, one of the Capitol police officers, had an exchange with a right wing agitator. Fanone appears to have had some prior interaction with this individual, who has been a voice for extremist views. Fanone could be heard calling out, “he threatened to rape my children, you sick b-stard, rape my children!” Fanone was restrained by his friend, another Capitol police officer, Harry Dunn.  

Unlike ICE, these guys don’t wear masks and they certainly haven’t received a $50,000 sign on bonus. They boldly show up at many events, standing for basic human values, often while facing retribution to themselves and their families. 

Jack Smith, for those of you who need an update, is the prosecutor tasked with investigating Trump’s document case and the January 6 invasion of the Capitol. These cases came to a screeching halt when Trump was elected in Nov. 2024. 

Smith was calculated and thoughtful with his responses. He, of course, will be the subject of yet another Trump investigation. During the event, Trump made at least two Truth Social posts, urging his Attorney General to investigate Smith. Trump’s retribution tour continues, and this, like most of the rest, will likely end awash. What it will do is force the plaintiffs in these lawsuits to use their personal funds to defend  themselves against Pam Bondi and company, funded by our tax dollars.  

The outcome of the 2020 election has long been decided. Biden won the popular vote by millions with 306 electoral votes surpassing Trump’s 232. Trump lost over 60 court cases challenging election results. The Republican-led Arizona state legislature hired the Cyber Ninjas, a MAGA-led group, to conduct an audit. Months later vote  tallies indicated that Biden had been shorted 99 votes, and Trump had received 261 too many. Not the outcome the Trump supporters were looking for. 

Of course, we’ve all seen at least a few clips of the violence that occurred on Jan.6. We saw Trump and some of his closest supporters deliver fiery speeches. Then we saw thousands march to the Capitol. We all know why they marched to the Capitol. They  weren’t marching for Giuliani or Mo Brooks or any other speaker that day. They were  marching for Donald J. Trump, and he knew what they were doing. Contrary to the narrative which Republicans are still trying to repaint, this was a violent day. Ultimately, 1,270 rioters were convicted on criminal charges, many with weapon use or assault causing serious bodily harm. 140 police officers were injured, including many traumatic brain injuries. One officer died by stroke and four committed suicide.  As Rep. Swalwell (D) so aptly stated, “They (Republicans) can’t erase what happened on January 6, because we saw it with our own eyes.”  

Now we have Greenland and ICE thugs and the Epstein Files and a host of other issues. It is up to the American people to act.