On a typical Electoral College voting day, a group of diligent American electors meet to formally cast ballots for the president the people have chosen. But, of course, nothing has been typical about 2020. The trend continued yesterday as “credible threats” closed the Michigan Capitol and threatened to derail an already excruciating election process marked by Trump’s refusal to concede and his ever-evolving Twitter melodrama. Sigh. Is it over yet?
Normally, the votes are cast, the books are closed, and the winner can forget the exhausting campaign trail and gear up for the Inauguration on January 20th. But this year, we’ve annihilated “normal.” We KNEW Donald Trump of all people would go there, and by “there” I mean grabbing our very democracy “by the p#ssy” to continue his never-ending quest for power and money. What we didn’t see coming was how many formerly respectable Republicans would cop a quick feel themselves, entertaining or downright enabling Trump’s dictatorial fantasies and kissing enough orange tush to buy themselves Presidential pardons or political clout. But what has been seen cannot be unseen, and what we do next is critical: we must make it clear that gambling with our democracy is reprehensible, no matter which party you’re from. And we the people must demand consequences.
In a presidency that has all the trappings of an emotionally abusive relationship, reiterating the truth is necessary. And the truth is this: Donald Trump lost the presidential election by nearly seven million votes. Every state, Democratic- or Republican-led, certified its results, and in doing so, asserted that its elections were free of widespread fraud and tampering despite lingering—and easily debunked—conspiracy theories. Finally, Donald Trump failed to convince bipartisan judges to take on more than 50 shoddy “election fraud” lawsuits because get this: His team has still provided zero evidence of significant fraud.
Still, 126 House Republicans signed a brief calling for the Supreme Court to overturn the election results (many of whom won re-election on the very ballots they’re contesting as “fraudulent”). Some supporters fomented opposition or downright violence toward election officials and others who maintained the order and legitimacy of the vote in a time of unprecedented national chaos. A month after the election, 220 Republican Congresspeople had still refused to publicly acknowledge Joe Biden’s victory and those who did received scathing phone calls from Trump in response. Ultimately, Republican politicians and citizens alike proved keen to believe the rantings of a lifelong con man over the oaths and certified results of bipartisan public servants, and in doing so, decided that democracy is over. Because make no mistake: These right-wing attempts to overturn a legal, thoroughly reviewed election by violent or subversive means were sedition at best and terrorism at worst. And every person who supported this insanity is guilty.
Now for the good news. The checks and balances established throughout our history to prevent tyranny have held up to the Republicans’ dangerous selfishness. All signs indicate that whether Donald Trump leaves the White House under his own power or in the arms of service members like the ones he once reportedly derided as “losers,” he’ll be leaving nonetheless (albeit an embittered “loser” himself). And the Electoral College voted in alignment with the people’s will and officially declared Joe Biden the next President of the United States.
However, it’s exactly this outcome that will tempt people on both sides of the aisle to move on, have a big group hug, and forget the lying, gaslighting, and willful ignorance that has marked the past four years and especially the past few months. We’ve known for a while that the “lawlessness and disorder” party that spawned Trump is much less harsh on the crimes their friends are committing. They’ve enabled corruption and slapped a few wrists in the process, but this latest offense must be unforgivable and unforgettable. Democracy depends on the willingness of officials to put the country’s interests above their own in the most critical moments. While enough bipartisan public servants passed the test to preserve our election, far too many were willing to stoke uncontrollable fires throughout our electorate that will be burning well beyond 2020. We must harness this energy to elect people deserving of the offices and titles they hold, and who will uphold the people’s will at every turn. We may have defeated Trump, but the real work is just beginning.