‘Don’t tiptoe around’ US Capitol raid
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should use her global standing to make an explicit condemnation of the attack on Capitol Hill, Otago University professor of international relations Robert Patman says.
Pro-Trump rioters stormed the United States Capitol building in Washington on Thursday (NZ time), disrupting proceedings as members of Congress were about to certify Joe Biden’s win as US president in the November election.
There has been international criticism over the events at Capitol Hill, including from New Zealand politicians. In a statement yesterday, Ardern said democracy was the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voices heard and then have that decision upheld peacefully, which should never be undone by a mob.
National Party leader Judith Collins said what was seen in Washington on Thursday was a disgraceful attack on democracy. She said the National Party supported the peaceful and orderly transition of power.
Patman told Radio NZ’s Morning Report that while Ardern’s statement showed New Zealand’s support for rule of law and democracy, it should have gone further.
After the Christchurch mosque attacks and the country’s successful response to Covid-19, Ardern had gained a global audience, he said.
It was important New Zealand made it clear the refusal of outgoing President Donald Trump to accept the outcome of the election was unacceptable and there was a need to uphold the rule of law, both nationally and internationally.
As a liberal democracy, New Zealand needed to make its position plainer. ‘‘When an armed mob incited by the sitting president takes over Capitol Hill, the democratic institutions, then it is important we don’t tiptoe around this and we are very clear.’’
The events in Washington affected New Zealand, because the US helped set up international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation, which the country depended on.
These organisations helped maintain world order but had been seriously undermined during the Trump presidency, although the outlook was much better with Biden’s succession. While Trump was now facing isolation in the White House with Facebook and Twitter bans, it would be better for him to be removed from power, Patman said.
Trump had now indicated he will accept an orderly transfer of power so perhaps some heat was going out of the situation.
‘‘But I do think we as a country need to be very clear where we stand on this situation ... Most Americans are utterly appalled and ashamed by what has happened and they will be looking for solidarity from other democracies around the world.’’
Disregard for a legacy
The attack on Capitol Hill is being described as the most shocking development seen in internal US politics since the Civil War.
Waikato University professor of political science Dan Zirker told Morning Report the actions of the president had been unexpected but not entirely surprising.
‘‘When it got this close to the end of his term, I had assumed that something like this would not happen. It is an absolute disregard for a legacy. He is willing to do anything to maintain power and that is quite unexpected.’’ - RNZ