Prosecute them Enforce the law
President Donald Trump has spent much of his presidency trying to cultivate a relationship with the police and far-right groups. Trump indicated he thought he should “negotiate” a third term as president and said, “Maybe we’ll have to give that (presidency for life) a shot some day.” Contrary to what many of those around him said, what Trump expressed was his true desire not simply a joke.
What occurred at the Capitol on Wednesday was not a spur-of-the moment thing. It was a disjointed campaign based on chaos and carried out over time by Trump, specific members of his cabinet and his staff, certain Republican members of Congress, certain Republican state legislators, and many members of propagandist media organizations such as Fox News and Newsmax.
Once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, the investigation into what occurred should be swift, consequences meted out, and legislation proposed and passed that prevents what took place from happening again. The fact that the Democrats won the runoff elections in Georgia will make that possible.
The terrorists who made it into the Capitol, and whose images have been visible for all to see, should be quickly located, arrested and prosecuted to the fullest degree. Had it been Black Lives Matter protesters breaking into the Capitol, arrests and prosecution would likely be unnecessary. Over and over again we have seen that the use of deadly force is not equally applied.
Elizabeth Westbrook Lett, Norfolk
For a year we have watched the rioting, burning, shooting, property destruction and attacks on our police.
Despite all this, the politicians have ignored this unlawful abuse. Instead some even encouraged it, saying it was their right to demonstrate and went so far as to reduce police presence. Law-abiding citizens we assaulted, their property destroyed, their rights violated.
Many have lost faith in the electoral system as seen in Washington on Wednesday.
The entry into Congress by a few of these demonstrators was not the intention of the majority. The action of a few has masked the intention of the majority.
No one has the right to intimidate others on the left or the right.
It is time that all politicians stop the division in this country by bring people together, not dividing them by race, education, party or intimidation. We the American people should not be described as racist or despicable as some politicians have described us.
Let’s as Americans inform our leaders: Enough is enough. Enforce the law, respect the people’s rights, and bring us together. I for one am ashamed of the leaders of this country. We need leadership and action. God bless America.
Robert L. Studebaker, Norfolk