Finchem is a clear and present danger. Expel him.
It horrifies me to know that Mark Finchem – my representative from Arizona’s Legislative District 11 – participated in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 that killed five Americans. He incited this violence as Trump’s “Stop the Steal” point person for Arizona.
While participating in the insurrection, he tweeted a picture of the Capitol building steps, perpetuating the lie of “rampant fraud” in our elections to undermine our democracy.
As a veteran with 23 years of active duty service in the United States Army, I know about defending our democracy. At West Point, I learned the sacred meanings in our institution’s motto: Duty, Honor, Country. I swore an oath to defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Finchem swore the same oath when he became a state representative. He does not understand what that oath embodies. Today as a private citizen, I call on and demand Republican legislative leaders take immediate action to expel him from the Arizona State Legislature for violating this sacred oath.
Rep. Finchem lost the privilege of representing District 11 constituents when he participated in the Capitol attack. He was in D.C. on January 6. He attended the Trump rally, marched on the Capitol and used social media to spread lies about the election.
Before January 6, after multiple lawsuits, judges found no evidence that Arizona failed to hold free and fair elections. We must protect democracy and hold accountable those whose lies led to the most violent attack on our democratic institutions since the founding of our country. Just like Donald Trump and just like the “Oath Keepers” militia, Finchem helped incite this violence. We cannot sweep his actions under the rug.
He proclaims a stolen presidential election. He ran for office as an “Oath Keeper,” and today, he refuses to denounce this domestic terrorist organization or its actions. These same “Oath Keepers” called for the hanging of Senator John McCain and prosecutors say conspired to siege the Capitol on January 6th.
In the military, Army doctrine holds leaders responsible for deliberate ambiguous and faulty orders they give that lead to criminal misinterpretation or abuse executed by themselves and their subordinates. As an elected leader and a leader of the “Stop the Steal” movement, Finchem must be held accountable for his followers’ actions.
Finchem even accepted over $6,000 from Donald J. Trump’s reelection campaign to press the Legislature to overturn a free and fair election. His blatant disregard for life and liberty provides a clear and present example of abuse of power.
Unlike Finchem, I understand accountability. As an Army lieutenant colonel, I was a battalion commander. I proudly served and protected tens of thousands of DoD civilians, military members and military candidates of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. That Finchem still is the vice chairman of the Legislature’s veterans affairs committee is to add insult to injury. What an utter slap to the faces of veterans.
House Speaker Rusty Bowers must not let him get away with spewing lies that lead to violence.
Like the former president, Finchem is responsible for the violence because he helped fuel it on social media. Finchem has no honor. His actions make him unfit to serve in the Arizona State Legislature. He poses a clear and present danger to American citizens.
We must not settle for anything less than his immediate expulsion.
When last Arizona Coyotes fans saw Oliver Ekman-Larsson, it was the second game of the season.
The Coyotes captain, however, is nearing a return, as seen in his skating Wednesday in the team’s practice.
The veteran defenseman had three assists in the team’s first win, 5-3 over the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 16. But a third-period hit from the Sharks’ Evander Kane knocked Ekman-Larsson off balance, and his body crashed awkwardly into the boards behind the Coyotes net.
Ekman-Larsson left the game and his injury was later announced as one in his lower body. Two days later he was placed on injured reserve, and has been working his way back to full strength.
“At this point, I think now it’s probably Oliver’s call right now,” Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said.
Ekman-Larsson is expected to get in a full practice on Thursday leading up to the Coyotes’ next game, Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Forward Christian Fischer also took part in Wednesday’s practice as he comes back from an injury that has forced him out of the past four games.
“With injuries, sometimes there’s a point where it’s really going to be the player’s call at some point, so how he
feels, will he be able to do stuff in the game, will he feel confident,” Tocchet said. “I’ve watched him this week and he looks like he’s skating really well. We’ve had some drills where he’s been pushing and shoving the last three or four days. Now it’s just a matter of his comfortability playing, is really what it comes down to.”
Ekman-Larsson has missed 10 games. The Coyotes play three games in four days starting Friday, all against the Blues.
Ice chips
● Goalie Antti Raanta practiced Wednesday and could be available Friday, after he was scratched Monday with a minor injury.
● The Coyotes were delayed leaving St. Louis after Monday’s game when the de-icing machine for their plane malfunctioned, and the runway was too icy. “There’s something about St. Louis and us with travel,” Tocchet said. “Guys were glad to get home, I’ll tell you that.”