January 8, 2021
The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund condemns the violent insurrectionists loyal to Donald Trump who stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, January 6, in an attempt to overturn the presidential election, threaten the nation’s democracy, and keep a duly elected President from taking office.
In response to unsupported accusations of voter fraud by the sitting President, state election officials across the nation—along with over 60 judges—have examined, reviewed, and verified the results of the 2020 Presidential election in every conceivable way, arguably making it the most thoroughly reviewed election in United States history. Yet despite the rejection of each and every allegation all the way up to the United States Supreme Court, President Trump has obstinately refused to accept the will of the American people and has spent the past two months inciting supporters to engage in violent actions to overturn a free and fair election. The president was not alone in his despotic efforts to remain in power. Leading up to the joint session of Congress to certify the results of the presidential election, 12 senators and over 100 representatives fueled the violence by stating they would challenge the clear intent of voters in six states. Even after violent rioters took control of the Capitol, eight senators and 139 representatives voted to disenfranchise voters in two states. They claimed they spoke for constituents who believed there was voter fraud against President Trump, but these lawmakers failed to honor their constituents with hard facts that were readily available to them. Their actions must be investigated.
A growing number of lawmakers are publicly calling for President Donald Trump to be removed from office for inciting an attempted coup at the United States Capitol. On January 7, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called on Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. Several top officials, including national security aides and the deputy chief of staff, have resigned in the last 24 hours.
Given the actions by President Trump to incite sedition, DREDF joins the chorus of those publicly calling on both elected and appointed officials at the highest levels to take swift, unambiguous action to ensure the peaceful transfer of power and preserve our Republic.
DREDF shares the anger and frustration of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color in witnessing the inaction of law enforcement on Wednesday, in sharp contrast to the violent repression experienced by marginalized communities when opposing injustice and advocating for basic civil and human rights. The resignation of the Capitol Police Chief and other top Capitol security officials is a beginning, but there must be further acknowledgement of a double standard that is infused in our institutions and culture.
We proudly stand in solidarity against this egregious affront to our shared common values, actions, and ideals.