AAPI lawmakers recall the 1/6 Insurrection

In the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol, Rep. Andy Kim helped clean up the debris.

January 6, 2021 will forever be a day when America was attacked by domestic forces, a day of trauma and reflection about the fragility of democracy.

“Certain dates echo throughout history, including dates that instantly remind all who have lived through them, where they were and what they were doing when our democracy came under assault,” Vice President Kamala Harris said today (Jan. 6, 2022) as she introduced President Joe Biden for his remarks clearly placing the blame for the coup attempt on the "defeated president" Donald Trump.

Harris said some dates in U.S. history "“occupy not only a place on our calendars, but a place in our collective memory. December 7th, 1941. September 11th, 2001. And January 6th, 2021.”

“What they sought to degrade and destroy was not only a building, hallowed as it is,” said Harris, the first Asian American to be Vice President. “What they were assaulting were the institutions, the values, the ideals that generations of Americans have marched, picketed and shed blood to establish and defend."

Biden was even more clear in his forceful speech in which he said Trump "held a daggar at the throat of democracy."

AAPI members of Congress took time to recall the day when Insurrectionists -- egged on by a defeated Donald Trump -- and express their thoughts of the failed coup attempt and feared for their lives.

Rep. Andy Kim, D-NJ, sent out a moving thread on Twitter. He described the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol and how members of Congress gathered to finish confirming the results of the Presidential election.

Kim concluded with:

"There can be no compromise with those who would seek to overthrow our republic," said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill in a statement. "There can be no reconciliation. Instead, our focus must be on pursuing truth and justice...we must learn the truth of what happened that day, who was responsible, and how we can prevent any such events from ever occurring again.

"Today is a day of remembrance for that tragedy, a day of thanks for those who showed heroism ..., and a day of rededication to the work yet to be done to ensure it never happens again."

"That shocking and harrowing day was terrifying," recalled Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY.  "For hours, I was barricaded in a room off the House floor as the angry mob marched right outside my door. I feared for my life and called loved ones asking them to pray for me as these insurrectionists, spurred by then-President Trump, stormed the halls of Congress. I continue to be offended, appalled, and disgusted over the havoc and damage that they wreaked and their weaponizing of the American flag, and all Americans should feel the same regardless of party affiliation.   

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-WA, used a video on Twitter to describe her horrifying experience on 1/6, hiding in the House gallery listening to the rioters outside the chamber slamming on the door and fearing for her life.

Despite recovering from knee surgery, she was able to hide behind her chair, holding  a gas mask and with a cane, duck under bannisters to escape the gallery.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal followed instructions to kneel down despite her surgically repaired knee.

"The insurrection is still surreal to me, and I continue to see the destructive and violent images of rioters when I walk through the Capitol," Meng continued. "As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of the attack, we must all stand united against the heinous acts that occurred on that dark day in our nation’s history. We must continue to address the hurt and pain that it has caused, the healing that needs to still take place, and do everything in our power to ensure that a situation like this never ever happens again.”

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-VA, looked towards the future. “Sadly, the threat to our Democracy is ongoing," he said. "Adherence to the former president’s ‘Big Lie’ about the 2020 election is now the most important litmus test for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. It has been used as pretext all over the country for rampant efforts to suppress the ability of Americans to vote, to install local and state election officials willing to openly ignore the legal votes of the people, and to enact other mechanisms to overturn the results of future elections.

“The House of Representatives has already taken important steps to protect the right to vote and maintain the integrity of our Democracy through passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act," Scott said, linking the Insurrection to the GOP's present-day attempts to restrict voting.

Rep. Mark Takano, D-CA, tweeted: "As I reflect on January 6, 2021, I'm reminded of the fragility of our democracy, troubled at how divided we are, frustrated at the siloed news information, and furious at my Republican counterparts who fail to condemn the actions of white nationalists and far-right extremists."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @DioknoEd.

Homeland Security issues warning on the continuing threat of domestic terrorists

Supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol Jan. 6.

Even though the Justice Department is tracking down the insurrectionists who invaded the Capitol and threatened members of Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence last Jan. 6, Homeland Security has warned that the domestic terrorists, emboldened by what they view as a victory, will not go away soon.

With the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump set to begin in the Senate Tuesday (Feb. 9) Homeland Security has issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin due to a heightened threat environment across the United States, which DHS believes will persist.  

Intelligence suggests that white supremacists and some ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and questions the legitimacy of President Joe Biden, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence.

Following is the DHS alert:

• Throughout 2020, Domestic Violent Extremists (DVEs) targeted individuals with opposing views engaged in First Amendment-protected, non-violent protest activity.  DVEs motivated by a range of issues, including anger over COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results, and police use of force have plotted and on occasion carried out attacks against government facilities. 
• Long-standing racial and ethnic tension—including opposition to immigration—has driven DVE attacks, including a 2019 shooting in El Paso, Texas that killed 23 people.
• DHS is concerned these same drivers to violence will remain through early 2021 and some DVEs may be emboldened by the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. to target elected officials and government facilities.
• DHS remains concerned that Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVEs) inspired by foreign terrorist groups, who committed three attacks targeting government officials in 2020, remain a threat.
• Threats of violence against critical infrastructure, including the electric, telecommunications and healthcare sectors, increased in 2020 with violent extremists citing misinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 for their actions.  
• DHS, as well as other Federal agencies and law enforcement partners will continue to take precautions to protect people and infrastructure across the United States.
• DHS remains committed to preventing violence and threats meant to intimidate or coerce specific populations on the basis of their religion, race, ethnicity, identity or political views.
• DHS encourages state, local, tribal, and territorial homeland security partners to continue prioritizing physical security measures, particularly around government facilities, to protect people and critical infrastructure.

How the public can help

• We ask the public to report suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online activity,  to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or their local Fusion Center.
• Your choice can make a difference. Choose non-violent ways to make your voice heard and support friends and family in doing the same.
• Communities are strongest when they are not divided:  Strengthen your community by standing together against violence.

Be prepared

• Avoiding large crowds, including protests, is safest due to ongoing pandemic conditions. However, if taking part in protests do so peacefully, safely, and wear masks.
• Be responsible for your personal safety. Make note of your surroundings and security personnel. Carry emergency contact as well as medical and other needs information with you.
• Connect, Plan, Train, and Report to prepare businesses & employees.

Stay Informed

• Local, state and federal agencies will provide specific information about emerging threats as additional information is identified. The public is encouraged to listen to local law enforcement and public safety officials.
• Last year, DHS released a Homeland Threat Assessment  to the public examining the threat environment through 2021.