By Ashton Becker

The Republican Party has officially declared the Jan. 6 capitol riot “legitimate political discourse.” Additionally, the Republican National Committee (RNC) voted to censure House Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois due to their role in assisting the House Committee with the investigation of the insurrection. By doing so, the Republican Party withdraws support for these lawmakers, consequently damaging the outlook of their political careers and reelection prospects for Cheney.

 Both representatives have been vocal about their opinions pertaining to the attack on the capitol. Their views of course do not align with the main stance taken by their party. Cheney and Kinzinger do not agree with this declaration, nor do they seek to minimize the wrongful actions of the capitol rioters and former President Donald Trump who incited his supporters. 

“I do not recognize those in my party who have abandoned the Constitution to embrace Donald Trump,” Cheney said.

Kinzinger accused fellow party members of enabling “conspiracies and toxic tribalism.”  The chairwoman of the RNC, Ronna McDanie,l claimed that Cheney and Kinzinger were aiding in the “persecution of ordinary citizens who engaged in legitimate political discourse that had nothing to do with the violence at the capitol.” McDaniel along with the majority of members of the Republican Party seem to hold the belief that the participants of the capitol riot were acting out of political expression, defending their political belief that the election was stolen and their uprising could overturn it.

 However, not all Republicans think this is the case. In fact, McDaniel’s uncle, Senator Mitt Romney, voiced his opinion that “shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol. Honor attaches to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for seeking truth even when doing so comes at a great personal cost.”

There are many who think that referencing the capitol riot as “legitimate political discourse” is an extremely inaccurate depiction of a violent attack which left several dead, injured and traumatized. Reports of officers committing suicide after their involvement in defending the U.S. capitol have shown the true impact of this event. The riot also caused approximately $1.5 million in damage to the capitol building. 

Though a year has passed since this tragedy, its effects on the nation are still being felt as divides deepen and tensions rise. Some go as far as to refer to the attack as a terrorist attack while others believe it is simply political discourse. People are left wondering how an act of such violence can be minimalized, ignored and even embraced as political expression. It begs the question as to what else Americans will perceive as justice and to what lengths they will go to in order to achieve their political agenda. 

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