OPINION: Rep. Jamie Raskin's impeachment moment shed light on the long-term impact of the insurrection and a damaged democracy
Lead House Impeachment Manager Jamie Raskins' (D-MD) speech resonated with Americans on a patriotic and personal level as he delivered an impassioned end to his remarks on the first day of the second impeachment trial of Pres. Donald Trump.
After showing an alarming video that detailed the timeline of events, he recounted the scene inside of the Capitol as evacuations started and lawmakers began to realize the vote certification was being interrupted due to a security breach. He described colleagues removing thier lapel pins so that rioters would not be able to identify them. In this instance, Raskin spoke as an eyewtiness to how the terror was unfolding in real time. It was the first time we had heard how lawmakers were "feeling" as it became clear that they were facing imminent danger or death. His account of what took place was chilling.
While many were calling home to say good-bye to their loved once, Raskin was able to speak to one of his children in person. He had recently buried his only son who committed suicide. Rep. Raskin had brought his daughter, 24-year-old Tabitha and his son-in-law Hank, to work with him on Jan. 6. He tried to suppress tears, as he gave a personal account of how he told Tabitha it would not be like this in the future. She said she never wanted to return to the U.S. Capitol again, his place of employment. This moment, Raskin said, was the most painful of all the things that happened that day.
His opening statement to justify the resolution to impeach former Pres. Trump only swayed one Republican to change their vote, Rep. John Cassidy of Louisiana.
This moment revealed the heart of a parent -- not a politician and became a highlight of day one of the trial.
Most parents may never say it out loud, but they want their children to be proud of the work they do and where they work.
Most of us will never know the pride, prestige and honor that comes with serving the American people at the highest level like Raskin.
Yet, we can relate to the sense of deep loss and disappointment the Congressman expressed. Parents who have worked long hours or sacrificed time on the job away from the family as the work of a public servant demands, inherently understood the lump in his throat.
To contextualize this observation, I am talking about what we lost as a nation that day in terms of the long-term affects of a post-Trump America.
The bad actors who seized the Capitol, killed citizens and police and aimed to hurt Vice President Mike Pence and other lawmakers during the insurrection that led to this trial, diminished the sanctity of the Capitol itself. Hannah's view of the Capitol and what it stands for was shattered. While attempting to overturn the government and the will of the majority of the American people, the democracy that the Capitol represents was forsaken. When Raskin choked back tears we knew that he felt the pain of losing something that belongs to us all--our rights-- the very thing that he worked to uphold and protect with words, not weapons.
Raskin's story reflects the emotional damage that was done. It was necessary to see the need for healing and sensitivity toward those who were in that building working that day. He survived, but could be scared for life. It was esepcially important to hear a personal testimony because in the month after the incident many Republicans have trivialized the terror that took place. A Trump attorney, for example referred to the clips shown in the trial as a "movie." This is reality. The feelings of a father that Raskin expressed -- the sense that he was powerless to protect his own -- were real.
The trial proceedings brought to mind another incident whereby a federal building was attacked. It is unphantomnable that anyone would trivialize Timothy McVeigh's bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma in 1995. Politicians did not hesitate to call McVeigh a domestic terrorist when he bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building and killed 168 people, injured more than 680 others, and ruined a third of the structure. We knew he was ultimately coming after the government and Americans everywhere were united in condemning the tragedy. The political tone over such an attack has changed.
Today, the response to the Capitol siege that was set off at the urging of Pres. Donald Trump is polarized among our leaders. There is a numbness to the pain the country feels when in the trial of a leader overwhelming evidence showing they are guilty is wiped away. Perhaps some of the lawmakers' thirst for power in the upper ranks of government has permanently de-sensitized them to the cries of the people.
We can not lose sight that the politicians in the chamber (all federal workers in this context) were all victims if they were present on that dreadful day.
Partisan rancor on this matter is visible. The stance of most Republicans is impenetrable like a stony heart, as they put politics over protecting themselves, their peers and ultimately the American people. Why is there a trial if Democrats know it is an uphill battle? Are they too wasting the American people's time by pursuing a situation that was technically insurmountable by the numbers? No. Thee is purpose behind the pursuit despite the callous Like the previous impeachment, if nothing is done, then democracy will die.
Undoubtedly, there has been damge to the psyches of those who witnessed the Capitol attack, as many members of Congress have reported their stories in the media showing signs of emotional trauma.
The Capitol attackers also stripped away the sense of pride and dignity associated with the physical building,
As he stood at the scene of the crime once again defending the Constitution with every drop of fight left in him, this time Raskin was also fighting for a sense of meaning and respect for his job. It struck me that this basic element of life experience was tampered with, albeit small in comparison to the more glaring things that were stripped away that day.
Will the Capitol ever be a place that all Americans honor and respect again? Or is it now a symbol of sheer corruption and division?
If we know nothing else in this country we know that America is free and the U.S. Capitol has heretofore been a visible representation of that freedom. The foundation of Democracy in America as we have known it was shaken that day through that desecration of a once respected building that was intended to interfere with the transfer of power. And a once pure experiences that working parents can relate to-- taking their child to work -- was turned into a horrifying daddy-daughter date. Tabitha's reaction to the Capitol insurrection is a sign that lasting damage has been done to a sacred institution Americans of all political persuasions once held dear to their hearts.
