but I spent over 30 years in federal law enforcement investigating and assisting in the prosecution of significant criminal matters and none of these even remotely approached the events on January 6th. What we witnessed on that day was a mob (inspired by their fascist messiah among others) attempting to subvert our Constitution and the rule of law by engaging in an insurrection to literally overthrow our government and install their preferred rulers. This is not about "revenge", but recognizing that those participants who attempted to subvert the democratic process and perpetrated acts of violence/vandalism in this process be held accountable for the gravity of their actions. This was an attempted coup and all those who participated should have been charged with sedition. The video and documented statements by individuals should be all the "evidence" any reasonably competent person needs to conclude that these individuals are an existential threat to our system of government and society. If there ever was a action that literally demanded the extensive use of deadly force, January 6th was it! Unfortunately, that was not the case and it the reason that we are now being subjected to revisionist history, portrayals of the insurrectionist as "patriots", and members of the GQP openly advocating civil war. Subjecting the insurrectionist to minor misdemeanor charges does not even remotely have any deterrent effect and only emboldens them and inspires others in the future. Also, I stand corrected. What has transpired to date is not a "travesty", but actually an abomination - a reprehensible miscarriage of justice and a betrayal of the law abiding citizens of this country. They deserve no less than "life in prison"!
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