MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After eight Congressional hearings into the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol – and particularly after Thursday night’s session – it should be clear to every American that former President Donald Trump bears criminal responsibility for one of the darkest days in our history.
The evidence that has been presented proves without a doubt that Trump not only violated his oath of office, he incited the Capitol attack, relished in the threats, deaths, and destruction – and then refused to accept any blame for what happened. Anyone who thinks otherwise, does not respect democracy.
The invaders who stormed the Capitol by the thousands came from virtually every sector of the country. And hundreds are being held criminally responsible in court.
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One of them is 38-year-old Matthew Bledsoe of Olive Branch. He runs a Memphis moving company called Prime Time Movers, and this week, he was convicted in a Washington, D.C. court of one felony and four misdemeanors for his role in the insurrection. Bledsoe, a Q-Anon follower, basically convicted himself by taking cellphone video of himself breaking into the Capitol, shouting profanities and later threatening members of Congress. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
But Bledsoe and others like him should not be the only ones hauled into court. They were in effect following orders – based on the big lie. So the ultimate blame rests with the former president, and he must be held accountable.