The gallows set up by supporters of Donald Trump outside the US Capitol, January 6, 2021 (Shay Horse/NurPhoto/Getty)
UPDATE, JAN 8:
In an interview with Al Arabiya English, I cover a range of topics on Trump’s imminent return to the White House.
On the prospect of Trump’s pardons of those convicted over their involvement in the Capitol attack:
The attempt to airbrush January 6, 2021 started on January 6, 2021.
That same day, Donald Trump — having done nothing for hours, having allowed his supporters to rampage the Capitol and issue their threats — called them “patriots”. He would later call this a “day of love”.
Since the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021, there has been an active attempt by the Trump administration to put a lid on them, professor of US and International Politics at the UCD Clinton Institute Scott Lucas says.#Trump #January6th pic.twitter.com/7Scsr2ViME
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) January 7, 2025
Recalling the moment four years ago when, doing live commentary for Turkish TV, I watched Trump supporters charge into the Capitol —- and setting out Trump’s threat then and now:
This is an important reminder that, as unexpected and unpredictable that Trump’s victory in 2024 was, this is only the latest stage of a process in which he has tried to overturn the US system to hold onto power.
And that he has pledged, upon his return to the White House, to “act like a dictator on Day One”.
This is a question of whether the US can protect its system or whether we will have a wannabe autocrat, and whether he will be more successful in imposing his rule this time around.
Scott Lucas, Professor of #US and International Politics, reflects on the storming of the #Capitol on January 6, 2021, and warns that #DonaldTrump's return is not a comeback but a continued threat to US democracy, as he pledges to "act like a dictator on day one." pic.twitter.com/NujWYaiBMc
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) January 6, 2025
ORIGINAL ENTRY, JAN 6: I joined international media outlets on Monday, including Dublin NewsTalk and France 24 English, for the 4th anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol.
I analyze the events of that day, including Donald Trump’s involvement, and the ongoing threat as Trump — this time legally — re-enters the White House.
Listen to Pat Kenny Show on Dublin NewsTalk
In a 27-minute special, I begin with my memory of the Capitol Attack, which unfolded as I was doing live commentary for Turkish TV: “As I watched Trump’s supporters charge through barricades and past Capitol Police, I could not believe Americans were attacking the seat of their own government.”
I explain how Trump’s camp organized the rallies that led to the assault, and how they were part of his attempt to remain in the White House.
I discuss how that threat to the US system, arguably the most serious in peacetime, continues under Trump today as he tries to break American agencies to rule as an autocrat.
Watch France 24 English from 4:24
I discuss how the Capitol Attack arose from conspiracy theorists and Trump’s “attempted coup” to overturn the 2020 election — all the way to Elon Musk in 2025 as he tries to overthrow governments from the UK to Germany.
I talk about the ongoing, damaging effect of social media such as Musk’s X, and consider what we can do to counter the threat.
The first question is whether institutions can continue to function.
Secondly, this depends on us as individuals. Are we willing to cut through the disinformation and conspiracy theory to discuss, decently and with respect for others, what is happening? Are we able to establish what we should do which does not include violence, division, or insult of other groups?
Are we willing to do so or do we put up our hands and say, “They win”?
