Revelations about the Jan. 6 insurrection have become too big to ignore, even for those who are trying desperately to convince the rest of us to ignore them.
For the rest of us, it’s the best new TV show of the season.
Fox News refused to air the Thursday-night primetime broadcast of the first public hearing, but 20 million Americans devoured it live, like it was a new episode of “Tiger King” or a “Survivor” season finale. Perhaps three times that number binged the highlights that saturated social media and news feeds throughout the weekend. That was enough to convince Fox to run the second installment of the hearings on Monday morning, during which the committee offered a propensity of evidence showing that then-President Trump knew full well he had lost the election but kept on with his bullshit anyway.
This was after the season opener, which effectively dispelled any notion that the Jan. 6 invading force was a bunch of tourists, or patriotic protesters, or regular Americans. It was clear they came to the Capitol that day to thwart the democratic process, depriving us all of the power of our vote. They were vermin who say they love our country, but not its institutions, its values, its promise of equality.
Another bombshell revealed last week: Several House Republicans asked for pardons in the days following Jan. 6, the names of which should be revealed at some point during the next six televised hearings.
Is that enough to change the future?
Trump is still the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. His loyalists have gutted election apparatuses in key swing states. His endorsements are running about 50 percent in the primaries, with his choices for governor and senator prevailing in Nevada’s contest this week, and splitting in South Carolina, where one of his rivals lost his House primary and another won hers.
We’ve got one right here in North Carolina: Rep. Ted Budd, who voted against impeaching Trump twice, and to overturn the results of the 2020 election when it finally came time for the peaceful transfer of power that is a hallmark of our nation. And right now he’s polling two points ahead of Democrat Cheri Beasley, the former NC Supreme Court chief justice.
Was Budd one of the House members who asked for a pardon? Would it make a difference?
Millions of North Carolinians still believe the Big Lie. And they’re ready to swallow whatever Budd is selling, insurrection be damned.
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