Capitol police taking action to oppose a dangerous Trump re-election

Capitol police officers Michael Fanone and Harry Dunn are fighting back politically after being attacked as police officers on January 6th insurrection.

Michael Fanone is speaks against voter suppression

Former police officers make foray into political arena, though with different approaches.  Echo report published in Politico by Emily Ngo and Nicholas Wu. 

Policing was what Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone knew. Politics is what they’ve come to learn.

Both men chose to amend their personal missions, turning their January 6 trauma into political action.

“It’s important that every institution in this country, every American, take the responsibility of upholding democracy seriously,” Fanone said in an interview. “And everyone needs to be doing everything that they can to ensure that a) Donald Trump does not succeed and b) the MAGA movement is extinguished.”

Fanone is the face of a six-figure ad campaign to be launched Saturday by an advocacy group opposing what Democrats warn is a voter suppression bill.

Dunn entered the crowded Democratic primary for Congress in Maryland.The former law enforcement officers brutalized at the hands of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol have, for three years, had front-row seats to how Washington responds, shifts and spins with historic events.

Police officers injured during Capitol attack denounce Trump as anti-police. Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump storm the U.S. Capitol, January 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Reported in Spectrum News: At a press conference organized by the Biden campaign on April 1, 2024, a former U.S. Capitol Police sergeant and a current D.C. police officer denounced former guy Trump as anti-law enforcement for praising and working with rioters charged and convicted with crimes for their actions during the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Both men suffered injuries during the attack, in which supporters of the former president stormed the building to stop the certification Trump's 2020, election loss. The two are making forays into the political arena. They’re treading different paths, but both could serve as potent forces in the bid to stop former guy Trump from reclaiming the White House in this critical election year.

Fanone and Dunn say they feel compelled to move from protecting the country through policing to now protecting its integrity through politics.

“I like to live by the phrase, ‘Until there’s nothing that can be done, there’s always something that can be done,’” Dunn said in an interview. “As a Capitol Police officer, I did all that I can do in that role to protect, defend and preserve democracy. But that is exhausted now.”

Their names and stories have morphed into brands.

Their visibility was heightened after the attack by Trump supporters by their omnipresence on cable news networks and their testimony before the January 6 select panel. They’ve seen how the riot and its aftermath cleaved the country.

“I have shown one that I am willing and able to fight back against the people that are trying to tear down and destroy our democracy,” he said.

Fanone, a former D.C. Metropolitan officer, is featured in multiple Courage for America TV ads pressuring Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and other House Republicans around the country to abandon their support for legislation impacting how states administer federal elections. The bill is named the “American Confidence in Elections Act,” but opponents call it the “Big Lie Bill.”

The spot in Stefanik’s northern New York district uses footage from the body camera Fanone wore as he responded to the insurrection, during which he was beaten and tased.

Fanone said he has no plans to run for elected office, preferring to live a life of relative seclusion — albeit not without being recognized and even cursed out in public by Trump backers.

Dunn seeks to join the ranks of the House members to whom he’s described the intense and lasting psychological trauma of the attack.

He said he plans to vote for President Joe Biden after backing Trump’s first election. For Fanone, wrestling back the narrative — and holding Trump accountable, including through the judiciary system — is the prerogative.

“It’s everything that happened afterwards,” Fanone said. “Imagine the most traumatic thing that ever happened to you, and then you’ve got to go around for years convincing people what actually happened.”

Fanone and Dunn offer a glimpse into how the some 140 officers physically injured on January 6 as they guarded the Capitol are processing the events as they’ve seen how the country chooses to move on from them.

Many have left Capitol and Metropolitan police forces. Some have published accounts of the political violence they survived.

Fanone’s book is called “Hold the Line;” Dunn’s is “Standing My Ground.” Aquilino Gonell, a now-retired Capitol police officer, has a memoir called “American Shield.”

And Julie Farnam, who was assistant director of intelligence for the Capitol Police on Jan. 6, released “Domestic Darkness” this month and launched a Democratic bid for the Arlington County Board in Virginia last November.

“We saw just how fragile our democracy is and we saw how divided our country is,” Farnam said in an interview, adding that she believes being in elected office “gives you the opportunity to shape how the country and the community will grow into the future.”

Stefanik’s team said Fanone, Courage for America and other detractors are wasting their time and money.

Dunn left the Capitol Police force to run for Congress, for the seat to be vacated by retiring Rep. John Sarbanes.

He said he could count on prominent congressional allies like Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), but he emphasized his decision to run for Congress was his alone: “I have my very strong convictions about why I am running.”

The decision by Sarbanes not to run for reelection last October has kicked off a scramble to succeed him in Maryland’s 3rd District, a solidly liberal amalgam of suburban Baltimore enclaves. Dunn said he is unfazed by the crowded field.

“I spent the last 15 years of my life being around elected officials every single day, having personal relationships with them, talking to them,” Dunn said. “And I pay attention to my surroundings, I pay attention to everything.”

Republicans must reject crazy Marjorie Taylor Greene

Echo opinion published in The New York Times by Michelle Cottle:  In our Trump-era politics, there’s always the question of how crazy is too crazy — how disruptive and extreme an elected official can get before becoming so embarrassing that members of her own team feel compelled to abandon her?

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene seems to have reached that outer limit. Again. 

It’s not simply that Ms. Greene has taken such a Putin-pleasing approach to Russia’s war in Ukraine (Ukrainian Nazis❓ Really❓) that the term “useful idiot” feels unavoidable. She has, in very little time, undermined the influence of her party’s entire right flank, driving less unhinged Republicans — most notably the House speaker, Mike Johnson — to brush back her and her ilk like the poo-flinging chaos monkeys they are.

The Humbling of Marjorie Taylor Greene

Just look at what has come to pass in the House in the past several days: Mr. Johnson, a proud ultraconservative, pushed through a $95 billion foreign aid package, including $60 billion for Ukraine, with more Democratic votes than Republican ones. He is now counting on Democrats to save him from the Greene-led extremists’ plan to defenestrate him and install yet another Republican as speaker. There is much buzz about the emergence of a bipartisan governing coalition in the House, albeit one born of desperation. 

Squint hard, 👀😵and Congress almost looks to be functioning as intended, with a majority of members coming together to advance vital legislation. With her special brand of MAGA extremism, Ms. Greene has shifted the House in a bipartisan direction (at least for now) in exactly the way her base loathes.

Can I get two cheers for the art of the possible?!

On a less high-minded note, how delicious was it to see Ms. Greene on the steps of the Capitol on Saturday, raving about Mr. Johnson’s various “betrayals” and proclaiming him “a lame duck,” even as she hemmed and hawed about when she would move to oust him? All in good time, she said, insisting she felt moved to let her colleagues first “go home and hear from their constituents” over this week’s House recess. “I said from the beginning I’m going to be responsible with this,” she said, in what may be her most laughable line in weeks — a high bar for the House member known for her keen insights on Jewish space lasers.

Seriously! How responsible did Ms. Greene look Sunday on Fox News, as she ducked Maria Bartiromo’s questions about her plans for ousting Mr. Johnson? (Short answer: She has no plan.) 

Ms. Bartiromo noted that Ms. Greene was drawing widespread criticism for “creating drama” and that there was concern she was making Republicans look like a bunch of squabbling incompetents unfit to run a neighborhood book club. (Those may not have been the host’s exact words.) Ms. Greene’s crackerjack defense was to insist, “The people criticizing me are not the American people.” 

The American people “are outraged, (ya'think?😟) and what they’re saying is they don’t want to vote for Republicans anymore,” 😆she asserted, adding that “the Republican Party in charge right now, it’s no different than the Democrat Party.”

Trump sends Fascist and Nazi dog whistles to his cult followers

Former GOP Gov. Calls ‘B.S.’ On New Trump Spin With Chilling Hitler Comparison: “Shame on us if we ignore this," said former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/08/17/editorial-cartoon-relating-president-trump-nazi-symbols-deplorable/570652001/

Echo Opinion published in Huffington Post and on Yahoo.com:  Morning Joe's MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough on Monday insisted Donald Trump meant his warning about a “bloodbath” in America if he’s not elected, despite the Trump campaign’s claims to the contrary he was only talking about the auto industry.

“It was a distinction without a difference,” said Scarborough.

What made it clear what GOP nominee Trump was intending to say, Scarborough continued, was when he added afterward that a “bloodbath” would “be the least of it.”

“Obviously, he’s talking about a bloodbath for America,” he added.

“It’s just bullshit,” Scarborough said of the Trump campaign’s spin that was parroted by other Republicans.

“I’ll say that at 6:15 a.m. It was bullshit,” he added.

Trump “knew what he was doing. We’re not stupid. Americans aren’t stupid,” Scarborough said. “He was talking about a bloodbath. Sometimes a bloodbath means a bloodbath. And when he finishes by saying, ‘And that’s just going to be the least of it.’ Seriously? These people may be stupid, we’re not.”

Scarborough explained, “If you think there’s going to be a bloodbath in the auto industry, even if you take that argument at face value, which, again, given the tone of the rest of the speech, ‘bloodbath’? I’m not sure he’s talking about the niceties of international trade. But let’s just take that argument as is. Then he goes on and he says, ‘That’s going to be the least of it,’ and repeats it. ‘It’s gonna be the least of it.’”

“Obviously, he’s talking about a bloodbath for America,” he added.

“It’s just bullshit,” Scarborough said of the Trump campaign’s spin that was parroted by other Republicans.

“I’ll say that at 6:15 a.m. It was bullshit,” he added.

Trump “knew what he was doing. We’re not stupid. Americans aren’t stupid,” Scarborough said. “He was talking about a bloodbath. Sometimes a bloodbath means a bloodbath. And when he finishes by saying, ‘And that’s just going to be the least of it.’ Seriously? These people may be stupid, we’re not.”

American women must fight against forced to birth and strongly oppose 1864 draconian law

Echo opinion letter published in the Canton Repository newspaper, in Canton Ohio: Stand up against Donald Trump and his cohorts

How Arizona's 1864 abortion ban stayed on the books

Abortion rights demonstrators in Scottsdale on April 15, 2024
The ban was first enacted in 1864, as part of the Howell Code — the original set of laws that governed the Arizona territory.

Wake up, everybody❗ 

No more backward thinking (this ain't 1864❗). Time for thinking ahead (this is 2024). How long will we allow Donald Trump and his cohorts to think they are above the law? No one is. After everything he has done, now he's saying there will be a "bloodbath" if he's not re-elected. So what does he mean? Another "Civil War"? Or he's going to get in the tub and give us what we want? Violence is never the answer.

Whereas we should be judged by the content of our "character" and not the color of our skin, we are all created equal. America is and will always be great, sometimes greater than others, but still great. Americans, show the world are greatness, for they are truly watching. Stand up and do the right thing. "Don't hate − be great."

#Vote Blue 2024 #Vote Biden-Harris 2024 #Vote Democrat

From Percy Keller, in Massillon Ohio

Donald Trump's evil support for Russian Vladimir Putin risks undermining NATO's alliance

Mississippi Free Press Editor and CEO Donna Ladd said that the newspaper should report on Donald Trump saying he would encourage Russia to attack certain American allies. She was right.

Doanld Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland on July 16, 2018.

Several major national media outlets were fumbling the ball and either ignoring those remarks or giving them less weight than they deserve. Mississippi Free Press editor said we should set an example for how national media ought to cover such extreme policy declarations. So we did.

"Trump Encourages Russia to Attack American Allies: ‘Do Whatever the Hell They Want’", Mississippi Free Press.

"We may be a local Mississippi outlet, but this is important. It should be leading every newspaper in the country."

North AtlanticTreaty Organization

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he encourages Russia to attack U.S. allies who he believes does not contribute enough money toward NATO defense costs. 

I can’t express how gratifying it has been to see people around the country, frustrated with many national publications’ treatment of stories like this, embracing our decision.

Although we are a Mississippi publication; local reporting in the Magnolia State is and always will be our primary focus. But, we  believe there is value in ensuring that we’re telling readers about important national stories, too—and drawing attention to news that we believe deserves more attention. 

National stories affect Mississippi, too. “Hell, if a paper called NEW YORK Times 😊can report urgent national news, then a site called MISSISSIPPI Free Press can too,” said our editor.

Donald Trump would encourage Russia to attack U.S. allies whom he claims do not contribute enough to the NATO defense costs, he told a crowd of supporters to (wrongminded❗) cheers at a South Carolina rally.

“One of the presidents of a big country (big country❓) stood up and said, ‘Well sir 😧⍰ 😕, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay❓ You’re delinquent❓’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want,” the Republican frontrunner for his party’s 2024, presidential nomination said.

Dismantling the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been a goal of the evil 😈Russian President Vladimir Putin, who orchestrated efforts in 2016, to help Trump and hurt Clinton’s electoral prospects. Members of NATO—which includes the U.S., Canada and 29 European countries—pledge to defend any other nation that gets attacked. (Dismantling NATO is dangerous.)

Mississipi Free Press plans to report more stories about national and state interest in the future, which may even involve a Washington, D.C.-based reporter or collaboration to help better cover Mississippi’s congressional delegation and the policy decisions that affect Mississippians.

#TrumpIsPutinPuppet

Donald Trump is a selfish grifter

Echo opinion letter published in the Holland Sentinel newspaper, in Michigan:

Donald Trump will never change.(Ya' think❓)

Approximately four years ago, I saw Donald Trump in the Oval Office, at the Resolute Desk, with a smarmy grin on his face. He was hawking a donor's products. Since then, I have refused to purchase anything Goya®. Donald Trump always has been and always will be a transactional grifter.

"Do something for me (give me money), and I will do something for you (use the Oval Office to sell for you)."

Do you have a "that's enough" moment? No matter what he tells you, Donald Trump cares about only one person: himself. Nothing has changed. Think carefully on November 5th. (IOW Vote Blue❗)

From Barbara Webbe in West Olive, Michigan

Donald Trump is not interested in supporting democracy but admires dictators

An election choice like no other- democracy or fascism❓

Unlike our current president Joe Biden, the alternative is disasterous.  Trump aims to be a dictator❗

Echo opinion letter published in the Waterbury Connecticut Republican Americans newspaper:

Are we better off now compared to four years ago? (Maine Writer- IMO, the COVID pandemic and Trump are synonomous!)

The answer is a resounding yes, if for no other reason than this: We now have a president who, should he lose the next election, will accept the results graciously and respectfully.

The contrast with the former president is clear. He acted and continues to act in an erratic and dangerous manner when faced with an unfavorable outcome. He did everything in his power to circumvent the will of a country that emphatically rejected him in 2020, going so far as to foment an attack on the Capitol, Congress, and on his own vice president! 

Trump considers the protections enshrined in our Constitution mere suggestions for him to twist, subvert, and defile as he sees fit. And still he claims to be a member of the ‘law and order’ party.

He aspires to be a dictator, there can be no denying that – he said it himself. His idols are Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, and Vikor Orbán. Is that what we want for our country? The American Revolution was fought and won to break free of the shackles of a king. Why would any American be in favor of further eroding our democracy and subjecting the United States to the iron fist of authoritarianism? 😡

“You can’t love your country only when you win.”

#VoteBlue2024  #VoteBidenHarris

From Stephen Tarnowski from Southbury Connecticut

Donald Trump needs an Evangelical reality test: Philander, racist, sexual abuser and Bible heretic

How can evangelicals like Mike Johnson tolerate Trump?
Echo opinion by LZ Granderson published in the Lost Angeles Times newspaper:

At the 2016, Republican National Convention, when I told Donald Trump’s “God whisperer” 😟Paula White that he referred to her as his pastor, she said she was his spiritual advisor — as if that were some sort of “get out of jail free” card for her.

And yet White worked hard in our conversation to convince me that the foul-mouthed person on the campaign trail was godly.
Then came her turn to speak at the convention. Most of the seats were empty when White took the stage, which says a lot about the interest attendees had in the words of Trump’s spiritual advisor.

It was as if their minds were already made up.

This was after Trump referred to a book of the Bible as “Two Corinthians” in a speech at Liberty University, the private Christian college where Jerry Falwell Jr. was president, before a sex scandal forced him to resign later that year. 

This was after Trump mocked a journalist’s disability. This was after he came down the escalator at Trump Tower and kicked off his campaign by bashing Mexico and Latinos before offering “and some, I assume, are good people.” Trump had shown what kind of person he was, and somehow still had evangelical Christians’ support.

But, he must have feared there would be some limit to their capacity for cognitive dissonance, because he did not want evangelical voters to find out about his 2006, affair with Stormy Daniels. 

In fact, Trump paid her money to stay quiet days before the election. I don’t know if that’s what White spiritually advised him to do, but she went on to serve Trump at the White House, so she must have made peace with the deceit.

The reason Trump is on trial in New York isn’t because of President Biden or Democrats. It’s because he wanted to deceive a crucial bloc of voters and in doing so is accused of falsely claiming the hush payment as legal services on business documents. And he is accused of falsifying documents in connection with other crimes.

In other words, it’s not a witch hunt. It’s repercussions.

Now, it appears, it’s House Speaker Mike Johnson’s turn to find some sort of balance between his personal faith and his professional interest. The joint news conference between Trump and Johnson at Mar-A-Lago, will most likely help Johnson keep his job — which was murky after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called his leadership into question — but it does nothing to erase the fact he’s aligned with a thrice-married adulterer who mocked Jimmy Carter the day after Rosalynn Carter, his wife of 77 years, entered hospice.

The image of Johnson standing at the lectern — as Trump stood behind him like a jack-o’-lantern the day after Halloween — was frightening. Unnerving. It was not a show of strength; it was another sign of how far some white evangelicals are willing to drag their faith through the mud just to be next to power.

Christians believe in a thing called grace, and Lord knows I’ve benefited from a lot of it in life. But, Trump doesn’t express remorse for his affair with Daniels or the hush money spent to trick his Christian supporters. He has been found liable for sexual abuse. He’s bragged about grabbing women by their private parts and kissing them without consent.

The fact that Trump could be forgiven is irrelevant if he hasn’t changed or stopped his abuses or given any indication of regret. What we have in Trump is not a story of redemption but a clear account of who he really is and always has been.

In February during a rally, he said this about his opponent Nikki Haley: “Where’s your husband? Oh, he’s away. He’s away. What happened to her husband? What happened to her husband? Where is he? He’s gone!”

It was no secret: Haley’s husband was deployed overseas with the South Carolina National Guard, something she discussed openly at campaign events. Trump knew “what happened to her husband.” But he just gambled that some in his audience didn’t know and that he could score cheap political points by smearing a service member.

You don’t have to act surprised. That’s the kind of person Trump has always been, regardless of whether he had a “God whisperer” on staff. This is the kind of person Johnson cozied up to  in a desperate grab at keeping his job. (Maine Writer IMO- Speaker Johnson was no guest at Mar-A-Lago.  Betcha' he paid his own way including getting an invoice for his meals. Wanna' bet?)

I’m not sure what the former president’s current spiritual advisor is whispering in his ear these days, but by now it’s clear he doesn’t need to listen to get reelected.

(P.S. Maine Writer- Hypocricy on steroids!)