What really happened Jan. 6th

Thought for the day

Hours after four courageous police officers told the nation Tuesday what happened on Jan. 6, Rep. Andrew Clyde was back in the news.  For those who don't remember, Mr. Clyde once compared the riot at the Capitol to a "normal tourist day" in Washington.  How absurd.  I ought to know.  I worked on Capitol Hill in 1972, and have visited members of Congress many times since over the years.  

Never in my life have I ever seen thousands of protesters storm the Capitol steps, fight with police for hours, break into the building, and loot congressional offices all on a single day.  The results of Jan. 6 are clear:  More than 140 peace officers were injured, including 5 who died, one woman was shot and killed trying to enter the building, and close to 600 rioters have been arrested for their unlawful acts.  If Mr. Clyde truly believes this was a normal day at the Capitol, then I challenge him to provide evidence that similar numbers exist.  He won't because he can't.  What happened on Jan. 6 was unprecedented in American history.

Shame on Mr. Clyde for his outrageous characterization of what really happened on Capitol Hill that fateful day.  What's next from the Georgia lawmaker?  That this all took place on a Hollywood sound stage?

-DF