Elected officials must be held accountable for Jan. 6
1/21/2021, 6 p.m.
I’m a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Chesterfield. And as someone who gave years of my life to defend our democracy, I must speak out about the disgraceful coup attempt that we witnessed on Jan. 6 in Washington.
There must be accountability for all those who conspired to undermine our free and fair elections through violence and intimidation, and that includes the cynical elected officials who pandered to President Trump and his vile conspiracy theories.
These enablers are equally complicit to President Trump in the violent mob scene we saw desecrating the people’s Capitol, and we cannot allow promoters of seditious lies to enjoy the honor of serving in our Congress. They have betrayed us.
This crisis has been brewing for years, as millions of people watched a growing political movement motivated by cruelty, resentment and ignorance grow to a violent mob now trying to seize power, whatever the costs to our country.
The only acceptable option for American citizens still dedicated to the rule of law is to unite and demand our remaining elected leaders and law enforcement prosecute those political leaders responsible for this debacle. Anything else would invite further attempts to seize power and further acts of violence and chaos.
BEN KING
Chesterfield County
