January 6, 2021

I wrestled with writing this post—for two reasons. 

 

First, it’s kind of a downer.

Sorry.

After all, this is the start of a new year with fresh possibilities and resolutions.

Second, in our politically polarized culture, I try to avoid any political inference. With our 24/7 news cycle and suffocating socials, we get enough negativity.

But these posts are also leader-centric, exploring every aspect of healthy, integrous leadership. And this is an honest example of a failure of leadership, regardless of our political leanings.

So here we go.

History will not be kind to January 6, 2021.

It was on this day five years ago that a protesting mob turned violent and attacked the U.S. Capitol to disrupt the proceedings of Congress verifying the election results.

The videos were horrifying. Capitol police were overwhelmed and beaten. Doors were battered and windows shattered. As one protester tried climbing through a smashed door window into the Speaker’s Lobby where Congressional members were being evacuated, she was warned to stop, with a Capitol police officer training a pistol at the window. The crowd at the door continued to push through; he fired, and she tragically died.

The officer testified later that congressional members and security were “essentially trapped” with “no way to retreat” from an angry mob.

One Capitol officer who was violently assaulted during the riot collapsed and suffered two strokes. He died the next day in the hospital. Four traumatized police officers committed suicide afterward—two within days, and two within months.

After being overwhelmed, police essentially withdrew as rioters pushed through and then casually marched throughout the Capitol, stealing pieces of furniture, defecating in the office of the Speaker of the House, and urinating in the hallways. According to court filings, one Brooklyn protester bragged in a group chat that “I was in the Capitol … And I pooped in pelosis [sic] desk … Come lock me up there’s nothing to live for if trump isn’t in office.”

Harrowing videos showed politicians scurrying for their lives, being directed by security, and hiding behind locked doors, sending texts to family members. In the aftermath, Congressional members of both parties condemned the attacks and promised justice.

Over $2.7 million in property damages were initially assessed, a figure that ballooned to nearly $30 million when factoring in historic preservation, enhanced security, and the massive National Guard deployment costs.

The last full-scale attack on the Capitol had been in 1814 during the War of 1812, when the Capitol was gutted after the brief British occupation of Washington, D.C.

After January 6th, extremist neo-fascist, antisemitic, militant groups like the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and other white nationalist groups who were engaged in the riot were identified, tracked down, and convicted.

Over 1,500 people were charged with federal crimes. Hundreds who were not personally engaged in destruction of property or violence were given misdemeanors for illegally entering the Capitol. Others received felony charges, including for beating police officers. At least 1,020 pleaded guilty, with no jury fully acquitting a rioter. About 250 were convicted of crimes by a judge or jury. Over 700 received at least some time behind bars, while most were released with probation, fines, or community service.

The head of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, received the longest sentence—22 years—for the serious charge of “seditious conspiracy,” along with three of his lieutenants. Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers founder, received 18 years for the same charge. These are dangerous leaders by any count.

And then Donald Trump won the 2024 election.

On his first day in office, he pardoned everyone who took part in the violent attack.

Everyone.

Let that sink in.

From Tarrio to Rhodes to the protester who was sentenced to twenty years for repeatedly beating police officers with flagpoles. And the man serving nearly seven years for assaulting the police officer who died? Pardoned.

Everyone was pardoned.

Regardless of your political affiliation, surely we agree that something is not right. No “what about…” should excuse what happened that day, no matter how mistrustful or disillusioned any of us feel about our government and institutions. This was not about second chances or mercy—that was never stated. It was given because of retribution: they were now labeled “patriots.” Apparently, every twelve-person jury, every judge, every ruling—no matter how heinous the crime—had gotten it wrong. This was now framed as an expression of patriotism and the exercise of free speech.

Leadership should represent the best of us. The apostle Paul wrote that it was good when someone wanted to be a leader in the Church. But there was a precondition: they must be “above reproach.”

I don’t see why that same value should not be applied to leadership in any context.

I think Paul was on to something: We should demand leaders “above reproach,” no matter the rank or political label, because everything rises or falls with leadership. 

Dave Workman | The Elemental Group

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