During his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, a member of the House January 6 select committee, vividly recalled the events of the January 6 insurrection that shook the nation.
Raskin recounted the harrowing experience of hearing the pounding on the doors of the House chamber on that fateful day, along with the chilling screams that followed. He highlighted the bravery of the hundreds of police officers who were taunted and attacked during the insurrection.
Reflecting on the tragic loss of lives, Raskin solemnly mentioned that five people died on January 6, and four more officers took their own lives in the aftermath of the insurrection. He emphasized that these events unfolded even after former President Donald Trump was defeated by over 7 million votes by President Joe Biden.
As a key figure in the House Oversight Committee and the lead manager in the second impeachment trial of former President Trump, Raskin expressed concerns about the future. He called out each battleground state present at the convention, questioning whether the nation would regress to the days of election suppression and violent insurrection.
The crowd responded with a resounding 'no' and chanted, 'we're not going back,' echoing Raskin's sentiments. Raskin warned against the dangers of a leader who resorts to fraud, theft, and violence to seize power, cautioning that such an individual would stop at nothing to maintain control.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the January 6 insurrection, Raskin's impassioned speech serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of upholding the rule of law.