FIVE WAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN FIGHT EXTREMISM
“Maybe we’d be safer back in Vietnam.” As proud Americans who escaped Vietnam as refugees during the Fall of Saigon on a 32-foot raft to escape tyranny and the downfall of their country, my parents were devastated to say that after the Jan. 6 insurrection. They rebuilt their lives in America in the hopes that their children would never have to experience that fear: the horror of losing the place they call home.
But they watched our nation’s Capitol fall under violent rioting and looting by mobs under the guise of the worst-disguised “incognito” protesters in history. What wasn’t hidden from view was the curious sight of the South Vietnamese flag — the symbol of Vietnamese-American freedom — misused and abused as some political prop by these extremists. They saw eerie flashbacks as their past reared its ugly head.
While it’s unfathomable to imagine that our country could fall under the threat of a coup, the silver lining is that members of Congress from both sides of the aisle finally acknowledge that our democracy is quickly falling into a “death spiral.” We must act quickly to protect and strengthen our institutions to prevent a future illegitimate uprising. These same forces have planned a “Million Militia March” for Inauguration Day.
As a former California state government official responsible for homeland security and combating domestic terrorism, I propose five immediate recommendations for our leaders.
First, use all the federal government’s powers to apprehend and prosecute these extremists. Such a violation of our democracy must be met with full force to deter future attempts at overthrowing our institutions. This is even more important as White supremacists and groups of like mind were responsible for two-thirds of “terrorist plots and attacks” last year.
Second, congressional leadership should follow the lead of Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Florida, to create an independent, bipartisan commission with broad subpoena power to investigate and produce an immediate action report to better protect the Capitol Complex and the federal government. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, has called for hearings in the House Appropriations Committee, but we must have an even larger scope. We must be ready for heightened dangers on Inauguration Day and beyond.
Third, the Capitol Police Board should fire the remaining senior law enforcement leadership team following the chief ’s resignation. Despite ample intelligence of potential violence, the Capitol Police, one of the nation’s largest and best funded forces, failed its mission to “protect the Congress — members, employees, visitors and facilities — to fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.”
Law enforcement was gravely unprepared, and even complicit, in preventing thousands of rioters from committing acts of violence and disrupting the work of Congress. Last year, when confronted with peaceful demonstrations demanding racial justice and equity, federal law enforcement clashed with protesters and made hundreds of arrests.
Why were violent rioters permitted inside the Capitol with such ease? Why were there only 82 arrests? There must be further study and action taken to combat growing
White nationalism in the law enforcement and military ranks.
Fourth, review and study the National Park Service’s permit process for First Amendment demonstrations. While organizers followed current procedures, the District of Columbia clearly had understandable concerns about the health and safety of its citizens. Permit applicants with ties to extremist groups should receive further scrutiny before permit issuance.
If a permit is issued to potentially hostile groups, federal authorities should work closely with the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and Mayor’s Office to ensure collaboration and coordination rather than play down concerns or foment an adversarial arrangement. When our commander-in-chief rebuffed and resisted requests to mobilize the National Guard, important time was squandered. This siege could have been prevented with more timely resources.
Finally, Congress should continue to move forward with a second impeachment trial of President Donald Trump after the House of Representatives received bipartisan support, including from House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, for a count charging Trump with “incitement of insurrection.”
Impeaching the same president twice is unprecedented. But most Americans support Congress’ action. According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll, 56 percent of the public hold President Trump responsible for the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Fifty-two percent say President Trump should be removed from office. More than 110 civic groups called for his removal from office. With more bipartisan support already promised in this Senate trial than in Trump’s first one and with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, not immediately voicing his opposition, it’s possible the upper chamber may bar President Trump from future elected office.
Jan. 6, 2021, was a disgrace in our history. Our leaders must work to strengthen our democracy, not defile our institutions as collateral damage for cheap political points. The stakes are too high. I can’t imagine my parents losing their home again.
Our leaders must strengthen our democracy, not defile our institutions as collateral damage for cheap political points. The stakes are too high.
Le is a political partner with the Truman National Security Project and served as deputy director of external and international affairs and deputy cabinet secretary to former Gov. Jerry Brown. He is a University of California, San Diego Thurgood Marshall College graduate and lives in Washington, D.C.