GOP: It’s Official, They’re Fascists.

Meeting in Salt Lake City on Friday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) passed a resolution declaring that the actions of the Insurrection of January 6, 2021, including the violent attempt to overthrow the elected government of the United States and the defilement of the Capitol building, were “legitimate political discourse.” The resolution (co-authored by Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel) was passed by voice vote, without debate, so individual Republican leaders could avoid personal (and legal) responsibility for this outrage against two centuries of American democratic values. They’re not just fascists, they’re weasels.

More:

“Republican party calls January 6 attack ‘legitimate political discourse,’” Martin Pengelly, The Guardian

“GOP leaders approve resolution that says Jan. 6 was ‘legitimate political discourse,’” Bryan Schott, Salt Lake City Tribune

“G.O.P. Declares Jan. 6 Attack ‘Legitimate Political Discourse,’” Jonathan Weisman and Reid J. Epstein, New York Times

Updates:

“Murkowski criticizes RNC calling Jan. 6 attack ‘legitimate political discourse,'” Caroline Vakil,The Hill

“‘Legitimate Political Discourse’ Is Now an Official Republican Party Description of the Jan. 6 Attack on the Capitol,” Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

“McConnell rebukes RNC, calls Jan. 6 ‘violent insurrection,'” Mary Clare Jalonick,  Associated Press

“‘Legitimate political discourse’: Three words about Jan. 6 spark rift among Republicans,” Josh Dawsey and Felicia Sonmez, Washington Post

“McConnell breaks with RNC: Jan. 6 ‘violent insurrection,'” Jordain Carney, The Hill

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Republican Hypocrisy on January 6th

Many Republican leaders — including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI 8 ) — were horrified by the Capitol attack of last January 6th, and rightly blamed Donald Trump for instigating it. Somehow, they forgot.

A video by the Republican Accountability Project, which will run on Fox News today.

More:

“Republicans Promised to Banish Jan. 6 Insurrectionists. A Year Later, They’ve Purged Jan. 6 Critics,” Tim Dickinson, Rolling Stone

“Republicans condemned Trump after the Capitol attack. Now, they are opening the door to him as the future of the party.” JM Rieger, Washington Post

Related:

“How Trump Kept His Grip After Jan. 6,” Blake Hounshell and Leah Askarinam, New York Times

Update:

“GOP commemorates denialism day,” David Siders, Politico

 

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January 6th

America’a red-hatted MAGAheads will be celebrating January 6th, but not as the Feast of the Epiphany (which features swarthy, undocumented Magi immigrants) or as a national day of prayer and mourning for the near-death of American democracy last year. The right-wing paranoid and election-denying alt-right, GOP coup plotters, Proud Boys, QAnon, Boogaloo Bois, Oath Keepers, Trump loyalists, white nationalists and Infowars fanatics and their ilk will commemorate their deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol last year, when they attempted to overturn the presidential election, as directed by the election’s clear loser.

The Capitol Police seem more prepared for a lunatic onslaught this January 6th, so there may be decentralized right-wing assaults on other federal, state, and local government buildings and officials. There will certainly be plenty of right-wing attacks on the truth.

More:

“A Roundup of January 6 Anniversary Commemorations in DC,” Damare Baker, Washingtonian

“Right-wing and liberal vigils planned in D.C. on anniversary of Capitol riot,” Ellie Silverman, Washington Post

“At time of Capitol prayer service Jan. 6, Trump will deliver remarks doubling down on the ‘Big Lie,’” David Siders, Politico

“Bannon, Trump to counterprogram Dems for Jan. 6 anniversary,” Jonathan Swan, Axios

Updates:

“Ingraham, Graham talked Trump out of Jan. 6 press conference,” Axios

“Trump cancels Jan. 6 news conference at Mar-a-Lago, blames news media and House committee investigating attack on Capitol,” Felicia Sonmez and Josh Dawsey, Washington Post

Related:

“Every Day Is Jan. 6 Now,” New York Times editorial

“A year after Jan. 6 attack, Capitol Hill neighborhood still feels the effects.” Joe Heim, Washington Post

“A look back at Americans’ reactions to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol,” John Gramlich, Pew Research Center

“We’ve reached the ‘Yeah, it was pretty much an attempted coup, so what?’ stage of the Jan. 6 probe,” Aaron Blake, Washington Post

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The warning signs before the Capitol riot

Logan Jaffe of ProPublica and Robert Evans of Bellingcat describe the warning signs they observed weeks, months, and even years before a mob of violent Trump supporters broke into the Capitol. A Vox video by Liz Scheltens.

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Trump Insurrection Selfies: Sedition Self-Incrimination

The seditious MAGA insurgents who broke into the U.S. Capitol at the bidding of Donald Trump and killed a police officer are being sought by law enforcement. Photos of the red-hatted terrorists have been posted by the FBI and DC Metropolitan Police, and the public is being asked to identify them. The FBI has even posted wanted photos at bus shelters in the DC metro area.

While a few brave press photographers provided some serious documentation of the domestic terrorists, many more pix were taken and posted by the Trump supporters themselves, bragging on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, DLive, and other social media platforms about their illegal occupation of the Capitol in answer to the president’s call.

The FBI and DC police aren’t the only ones preserving and scrutinizing the Capitol mob social selfies. Activists around the world, digital sleuths, have archived the MAGA-brag trophy pix before they could be taken down, and have been scrutinizing them since last Wednesday. One of the bigger finds so far was retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Larry Rendall Brock, Jr., identified by John Scott-Railton at The Citizen Lab and outed by The New Yorker. 

Insurrectionists have scattered, but arrests on Federal and District charges are mounting. Before Instagramming the boys back home, those White Supremicist Christian warriors should have recalled Proverbs 16:18, “‘Hold my beer’ goeth before a fall,” and suchlike.

More:

“Thanks For the Evidence, You Seditious Dweebs,” Whitney Kimball and Tom McKay, Gizmodo

“The Pro-Trump Mob Was Doing It For The ’Gram,” Elamin Abdelmahmoud, BuzzFeed News

“The Instagram Insurrection,” Brian Kahn, Gizmodo

“More Capitol rioters in viral posts arrested, senator urges social media providers to keep data,” Rich McKay, Reuters

“The Capitol rioters put themselves all over social media. Now they’re getting arrested.” Sara Morrison, Vox

“Local Police Departments Investigate Whether Their Officers Took Part in Capitol Riot,” Andrea Noble, Route Fifty

“Off-duty police, firefighters under investigation in connection with U.S. Capitol riot,” Maria Caspan, Reuters

“At least 25 domestic terrorism cases opened as result of assault on Capitol: lawmaker,” Andrea Shalal and David Shepardson, Reuters

Updates:

“Anne Arundel police officer suspended while department investigates possible involvement in Capitol insurrection,” Lilly Price, Capital Gazette

“US Capitol Building Riot: Justice Dept. Pursues at Least 150 Suspects,” Katie Benner and Adam Goldman, New York Times

“Who were they? Records reveal Trump fans who stormed Capitol,” Michael Biesecker,
Michael Kunzelman, Gillian Flaccus, and Jim Mustian, Associated Press

“Archivists Are Mining Parler Metadata to Pinpoint Crimes at the Capitol,” Jason Koebler and Joseph Cox, Motherboard

“MAGA Civil War shirts, a Camp Auschwitz hoodie, and other extremist merchandise was on full display at the Capitol riot,” Hilary George-Parkin, Vox

“‘Trump said I could’: One possible legal defense for accused rioters,” Teri Kanefield and Mark Reichel, Washington Post

“Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“This Site Published Every Face From Parler’s Capitol Riot Videos,” Wired

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Trump-Worshipping Thugs to Celebrate 3 Kings Day in Washington

Election-denying Trump supporters will return to DC on December 6th to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany in DC by protesting congressional approval of the Electoral College vote. The red-hatted faithful will make a pilgrimage to the White House in adoration of their orange-faced savior and present him with the Gifts of the MAGA: fragrant frankincense Filet-o-Fish, super-sized golden fries, and Mace. Tiki Torches are optional.

More:

“Yet Another Trump March Promised for January 6 in DC,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“There’s Another MAGA Rally Planned In D.C. On Jan. 6, The Day Congress Declares Election Result,” Matt Blitz, DCist

“Trump Fans File Permit Application for January 6 Rally,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“2 downtown DC Trump supporter hangouts to be closed for Jan. 6 rally,” Will Vitka, WTOP News

“Hotel Harrington And Harry’s Bar, Gathering Place For Proud Boys, Will Close During January MAGA March,” Rachel Kurzius, DCist

Updates:

“Jan. 6 protests multiply as Trump continues to call supporters to Washington,” Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post

“Proud Boys Say They’ll ‘Be Incognito’ During January 6 Trump Rallies in DC,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“D.C. is becoming a protest battleground. In a polarized nation, experts say that’s unlikely to change.” Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post

“Capitol Police to enhance security at Jan. 6 session to certify election,” Chris Marquette, Roll Call

“Rep. Gohmert Calls for Street Violence as Another Legal Loss Sends MAGA World Spiraling,” Justin Rohrlich, Daily Beast

“Louie Gohmert Suggests People ‘Go to the Streets’ and Be ‘Violent’ After Judge Throws Out Baseless Election Suit,” Peter Wade, Rolling Stone

“DC mayor asks area residents to stay away from protesters ‘who come to our city seeking confrontation,'” Justine Coleman, The Hill

Yet More Updates:

“MAGA marchers plot final D.C. stand on Jan. 6,” Tina Nguyen, Politico

“What We Know About This Week’s MAGA March,” Mikaela Lefrak, Elliot C. Williams, and Martin Austermuhle, DCist, DCist

“DC Cops Tell Descending MAGA Hordes: Guns Banned From Jan. 6 Pro-Trump Protest,” Jamie Ross, Daily Beast

“D.C. National Guard activated to respond to pro-Trump protests,” Jacqueline Feldscher, Politico

“Streets in downtown D.C. to close Tuesday, Wednesday for pro-Trump demonstrations,” Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post

“5 Reasons to Avoid the January 6 Pro-Trump Marches in DC,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“Mayor and Black Lives Matter Ask Public to Avoid Trump Supporters,”Amanda Michelle Gomez, Washington City Paper

Astoundlingly, More Updates:

“Proud Boys Brawl With D.C. Cops Ahead of Pro-Trump March,” Allison Quinn, Daily Beast

Related:

“Gohmert’s Pence lawsuit seeks to declare Electoral Counting Act unconstitutional in bid to overturn Biden win,” Ronn Blitzer, Fox News

“Trump supporters organizing ‘second inauguration’ for him online Jan. 20,” Joseph Choi, The Hill

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They’re Back! Trump-Worshipping Thugs to March on Washington

Since their November demonstration was so effective in overturning the election, maskless MAGA maggots patriots are returning to the Nation’s Capital tomorrow. They’ll be protesting the shocking lack of proof of election fraud at the Sylvan Theater, near the Washington Monument. Beer drinking is illegal there, so MAGAheads should leave promptly by 2PM to tromp back to the coolers in their vehicles parked in residential DC — downtown streets near the monuments are closed due to the demonstration. Afterward, the red-hatted throng will merge with the Disappointed Denialist Dames at Freedom Plaza to make a pilgimage to the White House. Maybe they can help Melania with her packing.

Speaking of packing, several of last month’s MAGA marchers were busted for gun offenses. Shame their sense of self-protection doesn’t extend to face masks.

More:

“Trump supporters plan DC rally to ‘demand transparency’ before Electoral College vote,” N’dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today

“Another MAGA Rally Planned For D.C., This Time With Fewer Expected,” Matt Blitz, DCist

“Million MAGA March’ on DC: What to know,” Will Vitka, WTOP

“Counter protests planned ahead of second ‘Stop the Steal’ rally,” Lex Juarez, Local DVM

“Park service approves 2 permits for Saturday’s pro-Trump rallies. Here’s what to expect,” Jack Moore, WTOP

Updates:

“This Weekend’s MAGA Rally Speakers Are Coming From the Nation’s Biggest Covid Hot Spots,” Daniella Byck, Washingtonian

“Thousands gather in D.C. for pro-Trump demonstrations as city braces for clashes,” Emily Davies, Rachel Weiner, Clarence Williams, Justin Wm. Moyer and Jessica Contrera, Washington Post

“Trump Supporters Protest Again In D.C., Claiming The Election Was Stolen,” Dominique Maria Bonessi, Matt Blitz, Jenny Gathright, Debbie Truong, and Tyrone Turner, DCist

“Trump supporters turn out in DC to back president, protest election results,” Kaelan Deese, The Hill

“5 Arrested in DC Amid Clashes Before Pro-Trump Rally,” Sophia Barnes, NBC 4 Washington

“Trump Flies Over D.C. Protesters Shouting ‘Destroy the GOP,’” Will Sommer and Alaina Demopoulos, Daily Beast

“Flynn delivers first public remarks since Trump pardon at DC rallies,” Celine Castronuovo, The Hill

“Four People Critically Injured In Downtown Stabbings During Night Of Violent Demonstrations,” Colleen Grablick, DCist

“At least 23 arrested, 8 injured as violence breaks out in D.C. following pro-Trump rallies,” Tim O’Donnell, The Week

“4 Stabbed, 33 Arrested as Trump Supporters, Counterprotesters Clash in Downtown DC,” NBC Washington

“Pro-Trump rally descends into chaos as Proud Boys roam D.C. looking to fight,” Peter Hermann, Marissa J. Lang and Clarence Williams, Washington Post

“Historic D.C. Black churches attacked during pro-Trump rallies Saturday,” Allison Klein, Washington Post

“Pro-Trump protesters rally for a coup: ‘We’re not going anywhere,’” Cameron Peters, Vox

“Vandals hit Black churches during weekend pro-Trump rallies,” Michael Balsamo and Ashraf Khalil, Associated Press

“Proud Boys sparked clashes during pro-Trump rally, D.C. officials say,” Tom Jackman, Michael Brice-Saddler and Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post

“Proud Boys Say ‘There’s Been a Proud Boy at the White House for 4 Years,'” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“DC Police Detail Arrests, Damage From Saturday’s Trump Protests,” Jordan Pascale, DCist

“Run-Ins With Pro-Trump Mobs After Saturday’s Rally: ‘I Started Getting Punched in the Face and Kicked,’” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

Related:

“Pro-Trump groups march and pray to protest president’s election loss,” Jonathan Landay, Timothy Gardner, Reuters

“Trump unleashes an army of sore losers,”David Siders, Politico

“What Is the Deal With Harry’s Bar?” Jessica Sidman, Washingtonian

“Here’s Why You Keep Hearing About Harry’s Bar,” Nathan Diller, DCist

“Armed Right-Wing Groups Aren’t ‘Militias’—We Need to Stop Calling Them That,” Richard Stengel, Time

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Trump-Worshipping Thugs Plan March on Washington

Rabid Trump supporters have announced at least three different pro-Trump demonstrations in the Nation’s Capital this weekend. The MAGA-hatted throngs will be arriving in DC without Park Service event permits, face masks, COVID tests or gun permits. This isn’t the kind of visitor boost Washington’s hard-hit tourism industry was hoping for.

Election-denying protesters are expected to include the full range of the New GOP: Oath Keepers, Three Percenters, Boogaloo Boys, Infowars fanatics, Groypers, QAnon adherents, Proud Boys, white nationalists, and neo-Nazis. This must be the event President Trump told them to “stand by” for. The weather’s getting a bit chilly in DC, so the Boogaloo Boys might want to leave their Hawaiian shirts at home and change into their brown shirts.

More:

“MAGA nation tries to rally around Trump with MAGApalooza,” Tina Nguyen, Politico

“Here’s What We Know About The MAGA Rallies Planned In D.C. This Weekend,” Colleen Grablick, DCist

“Eventbrite Pulls Pro-Trump Rally Page, Says March for President Over Election Is ‘Harmful Misinformation,'” Ewan Palmer, Newsweek

“Far-right protesters, counterdemonstrators plan to gather Saturday in D.C. amid pro-Trump rallies,” Marissa J. Lang and Peter Hermann, Washington Post

“DC officials preparing for Proud Boys protest over the weekend,” Justine Coleman, The Hill

“Proud Boys converging on DC for ‘Million MAGA March’ protesting election,” Josh Marcus, The Independent

“Saturday’s Pro-Trump Events in DC Have a Very Real Potential to Turn Violent, According to Experts Who Track Extremism,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“Trump supporters plan rallies in Washington DC, experts warn extremists may attend,” N’dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today

Update:

“DC police chief to weekend protesters: Don’t bring guns,” Jack Moore, WTOP News

“People Are Flying Into DC for the Million MAGA March,” Jane Recker, Washingtonian

“Trump supporters, counterdemonstrators face off near White House ahead of Saturday rallies in D.C.,” Emily Davies, Marissa J. Lang and Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post

“MAP: The Million MAGA March Is Necessitating Crazy Street Closures in DC,” Jane Recker, Washingtonian

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First they came for my tiki torches ….

In Charlottesville, they came for my tiki torches. Also my polo shirts and khakis. Now they’ve stolen my Hawaiian shirts.

Fascists are ruining my summer. What’s next, Slip ’N Slide?

More:

“What Do You Do When Extremism Comes for the Hawaiian Shirt?” Nathan Taylor Pemberton, New York Times

“Who are those gun-toting dudes in Hawaiian shirts at protests? Depends on who you ask,” Carol Robidoux, Manchester Ink Link

“Armed Militias Are Readying For A New Civil War In Aloha Shirts,” Ryan Finnerty, Hawaiian Public Radio

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President Trump Clarifies His Remarks

On Tuesday, President Trump clarified his thoughts on white nationalist protesters, stating that “you also had some very fine people on both sides” of the violence in Charlottesville. Very fine people like former KKK Grand Dragon David Duke  thanked him for his support. Mr. Trump also compared Robert E. Lee with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Political leaders and commentators were quick to express their appreciation:

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL):  “Your comments give white supremacists ‘a win.'”

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “there are no good neo-Nazis.”

Rep. Paul Ryan (R, WI-1): “White supremacy is repulsive. This bigotry is counter to all this country stands for. There can be no moral ambiguity.”

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA): “It’s wrong. Why can’t he just say that?”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): “What the president said yesterday was wrong. There is no moral equivalence between those who are inciting hate and division and those who took to the streets to make it clear that those views are unacceptable. Every one of us must stand against hatred, bigotry, and violence, in both our words and our actions.”

Rep. Leonard Lance (R, NJ-7): “Mr. President, there is only one side: AGAINST white supremacists, neo-Nazis, anti-Semites & the KKK. They have no place in America or GOP.”

Admiral John Richardson: “The shameful events in Charlottesville are unacceptable and must not be tolerated.”

Rep. Steve Scalise (R, LA-1): “We must defeat white supremacy”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “…you are now receiving praise from some of the most racist and hate-filled individuals and groups in our country.”

Rep. Paul Mitchell (R, MI-10): “You can’t be a “very fine person” and be a white supremacist”

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK): “Anything less than complete & unambiguous condemnation of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK by the @POTUS is unacceptable. Period.”

Rep. Charlie Dent (R, MI-15): “POTUS must stop the moral equivalency! AGAIN, white supremacists were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville”