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Iowa’s representatives reflect on the storming and rioting of the United States Capitol

Around midday on January 6, former President Donald Trump gave a speech at a White House rally for those who believed, like he did, that last November’s election was fraudulent. Over the next few hours, the rally at the White House turned into violent rioting and trespassing into the nation’s Capitol, where members of Congress who were set to certify the election had to flee for their safety. Just a few hours later, five Americans were dead. The National Guard was brought in to help the Capitol City Police quell the riot and disperse the crowd so Congress could resume and certify the election, and a day that will live in infamy has left a mark on the face of America forever.

America has been through a day that will live in infamy before. That first day of course was when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The president at the time gave a speech that day too. Nearly 2,500 Americans were killed, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech that still reverberates through time to commemorate those who were lost.

That was an attack on our country by a foreign enemy. This latest day of infamy, however, was self-inflicted. President Trump’s speech was, according to the articles of independence delivered by the House on January 25, the catalyst that incited the riots. His speech that day may also reverberate through time, but for all the wrong reasons.

Before January 6, it would have been almost unthinkable to imagine that a riot could occur at our nation’s Capitol in an attempt to overturn an election. But then again, when you take a step back and look at how divisive the political climate has been in this country, maybe it really isn’t all that unthinkable. One political party lost the election, and as these things typically go, that side was not happy about it. What could have been an opportunity to have their voice heard with a peaceful protest turned violent and may inevitably impede their own cause.

Not all who were there to protest in defense of the now former President of the United States were violent that day. They and many more of his supporters have come out to condemn the actions of the rioters. Former President Trump condemned the riots in his final speech as President just days later, but the damage had been done, and it’s left to everyday Americans to pick up the pieces and try to repair the damage that has the potential to create an even deeper political divide than there already was. 

What is one to think after something like this occurs? Is it possible those who consider themselves Democrats or liberal minded people will paint all Trump supporters, or even all conservatives, with a broad brush for these actions and deem them abhorrent? Will the conservatives who had nothing to do with and do not condone violent rioting feel even more disgruntled for being judged for something they don’t feel they were a part of? It is in times like these that we as Americans have traditionally looked to our leaders for such answers. U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, of Iowa’s 3rd district, and Senator Joni Ernst are two such leaders.

Viewfinder reached out to these leaders via email for answers, perspective and, more importantly, guidance.

Senator Joni Ernst (Republican)

Q: Are there any personal experiences from that day you would be willing to share?

“January 6 was a tragic day in our nation’s history. The very institution that millions of people from across the world revere, visit, and look to for democratic decision-making was pillaged by an angry mob. To say I’m saddened by what happened is an understatement. I’m furious. This is not the America that I know, that I love, and that I fought for. But, as the world saw, we were determined to return to the Capitol and to complete our work for the American People, undeterred. We felt that was extremely important to do.”

Q: How do you think Americans will look back at the Capitol Riots in say 10 years, or even 25 years?

“I think this terrible day will be remembered for a long time. We should never take our democracy for granted. In this nation we have a beautiful history of debating and disagreeing on very, very tough issues. We also have a long-standing record of peacefully transitioning power from one administration to the next. Peaceful protest is a fundamental freedom that Americans are able to enjoy — one that I worked to defend in my 23 years in the military, and that I proudly support. But storming the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to influence elected officials — an insurrection as many have called it — is not, and will never be, a peaceful protest. It is anarchy — and America and her people cannot stand for it in any form.”

Q: After these events, how would you explain the difference between the average President Trump supporter, and those who were willing to get violent in support of the President?

“Many Iowans voted for President Trump, as I did, and are upset with the results of the 2020 presidential election, but the overwhelming, vast majority of these hardworking people would never commit the kind of violence we saw. The violent mob who stormed the Capitol should be punished to the full extent of the law.”

Q: How accountable do you think the President is for the riots? How will you respond to the impeachment process when it reaches the Senate floor? What could be some possible outcomes or even consequences of impeaching the President a second time?

“President Trump did not display good leadership, and I do think he bears some responsibility for what happened. The responsibility also lies with the violent mob who stormed the Capitol, and they should be punished to the full extent of the law. When it comes to impeachment, my overall question is: now that the president is out of office, is it constitutional for a private citizen to be impeached? I think everyone is going to have to answer this question. But, as always, I’ll listen to the arguments. We need to start healing; and I don’t believe impeachment helps us do that.”

Q: What would you say to conservatives who, are concerned about what a Joe Biden presidency and democratic/liberal policies may mean for their values?

“Iowans soundly supported and voted for President Trump this November, as they did four years ago. We have accomplished a lot of really important things that directly benefit Iowans’ lives over the last four years. But, no matter who is serving in the White House, as Iowa’s junior senator I will remain focused on fighting for and defending the way of life for Iowa families, farmers, businesses, and communities. From the Renewable Fuel Standard to economic policy, and from agriculture to national defense, I will hold this administration accountable and always put Iowa’s interests first.”

Q: What would you say to progressives who view this as an attack on their fight for progressive policies?

“As I mentioned, in this nation we have a beautiful history of debating and disagreeing on very, very tough issues. I hope we can continue to have those discussions, work through our differences, and work together to move our country forward. As an eternal optimist, I am hopeful we can work together with President Joe Biden and the first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, in a bipartisan way to deliver for the American people.”

Q: Do you think the events that occurred at the Capitol that day could be the catalyst for closing the gap between the two political factions in this country? Or is it possible that it will only cause us to be even more divided?

“While Americans may disagree on some policies, we are one nation. I hope we can continue to heal and to have productive debates about our differences.”

Q: How can the healing begin?

“It is past time for us all to tone down the rhetoric and treat each and every human being with dignity and respect. We should once again be able to enjoy a meal around the table with our family, friends, and neighbors without having harsh political debates.”

Q: Lastly, what would you say to Iowans about how you could or will reach across the aisle personally?

“As I mentioned, I am always looking for ways to work across the aisle – with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – to deliver results for Iowa, and I’ll continue to do just that. In fact, as we begin this new Congress, I am already working with my Democratic colleagues on the important issues facing Iowans, like expanding access to child care, fighting for our agriculture and farming communities, and ensuring that we always uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to support our ethanol producers. 

I believe in this country, and what she stands for. I wouldn’t have served in military uniform, local elected office, and now as a United States senator if I didn’t. We are and forever will be the United States of America, and no difference or disagreement is too big for us to overcome. America, we must always strive to be a more perfect union and to remain a beacon of hope and freedom for people around the globe.”

Representative Cindy Axne (Democrat)

Q: Are there any personal experiences from that day you would be willing to share?

“Because of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, I had been following the debate of the certification of the Electoral College results from my apartment – which is only a few minutes walk from the Capitol steps. As I was beginning to head over to the Capitol to take our first vote of the day to approve the Electoral College tallies, my staff and I received an urgent notice from the U.S. Capitol Police that we should shelter in place where we were because of the rapidly escalating security situation.

I quickly returned home and watched in horror as the Capitol was breached and insurrectionists ransacked the Capitol. I exchanged countless text messages with my colleagues – including my Congressional roommate and members of my staff who were barricaded in our office – checking on their safety and trying to relay what information I could see from outside the Capitol building.

It was a dark, harrowing day – one that I will never forget. It represented the unfortunate culmination of months of disinformation about the results of the 2020 election – where Americans were told that the results were rigged and encouraged, openly, to take matters into their own hands.

When the U.S. Capitol Police, the National Guard, and other law enforcement officers helped retake the Capitol later that day and expel the insurrectionists, I was proud to join my colleagues to continue our work late into the early hours of the next morning to do our Constitutional duty and certify the Electoral College vote as was presented to us. No violence or threats of violence would ever have convinced us to not do our sworn duty on that day.” 

Q: How do you think Americans will look back at the Capitol Riots in say 10 years, or even 25 years?

“I hope it represents a watershed moment for us to recognize that misinformation and falsehoods are not just words. We can’t ignore the fact that the events of January 6th were not only predicted, but constructed, by President Trump and his repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

Most of us know the power that modern technology and digital platforms give anyone to say and spread whatever message they please.

But we’ve now seen on our own soil what happens when the megaphone of the internet combines with the power of political office“

Q: After the riots, do you see a difference between the average President Trump supporter and those who were willing to get violent in the support of the President?

“I know that millions of Americans voted for President Trump in the past election – and still vote for the Republican Party in elections every two and four years. Many of them are the constituents that I represent and work on behalf of in Washington. And I know where many of them are coming from – as someone who was raised in a Republican household myself. 

But I know that many of those who are lifelong Republican voters, and who supported President Trump last year and four years before that, do not believe that the attack on the Capitol was right. They don’t believe the election was stolen. They don’t believe that violence was the answer. And they are horrified at the images of Americans beating Capitol policemen with American flags on the very steps where countless Presidents take their oath of office every four years.

This is not to say that we should just ignore those who did, after all, resort to violence earlier this month. We should make it clear that their actions should have consequences and say clearly that the falsehoods they spew are completely without merit. But to treat this cancer of disinformation, it will take more than just Democrats standing up to this violent and seditious undercurrent in our politics.”

Q: How accountable do you think the President is for the riots?

“My choice to support an article of impeachment against President Trump for inciting the January 6th insurrection came down to a simple question I found myself considering in the days following the attack – what lesson would I be passing on to my children if I told them that the President’s actions would have no consequences?

Impeachment is the only Constitution check that Congress has on a President, and for the high crime of inciting his supporters to try to overturn a democratic election I could not accept the alternative choice: no action at all. While the President has left office, a crime was still committed while he held his position, and I hope the Senate will expeditiously consider that charge and deliver a verdict.”

Q: What would you say to progressives who see these acts and view this act as an attack on their fight for progressive policies?

“The vast majority of Americans saw the events of January 6th for what they were: unacceptable. It’s these moments of national trauma, in spite of their terrible toll, that inspire real change and determination that we can’t have something like that happen again. I’m confident that policy will heed the warnings of these events as we move forward and reinforce our democracy.”

Q: What would you say to conservatives who are concerned about what a Joe Biden presidency and liberal policies may mean for their values?

“There will always be disagreements about approach and policy priorities. That is what makes our country great – we are founded on the ideal that we can disagree without having to resort to violence to achieve our goals.

In my first term in Congress – I held over 60 town halls in all sixteen counties of Iowa’s Third Congressional District (the most of any freshman in their first year) because I wanted to hear directly from Iowans what was on their minds and what concerns they have for the future. I feel no differently in the wake of these … events – in fact, I know how important it is for those venues to continue, for folks to be able to come together and talk about what needs to be done to help make life better in Iowa.”

Q: Do you think the events that occurred at the Capitol that day could be the catalyst for closing the gap between the two political factions in this country? Or is it possible that it will only cause the country to be even more divided?

“I hope so. We have a long way to go, and we can’t just sweep what happened under the rug and pray that things work themselves out. But I believe the memory of this event will move us in the right direction.”

Q: Lastly, what would you say to Iowans about how you could or will reach across the aisle personally?

“We need folks to listen to each other – and hear other’s concerns rather than just voicing their own. It can be so easy now to only hear the folks that you agree with, and curate an echo chamber that only reflects your own world view. 

If we are going to lower the temperature on our politics, call out falsehoods and other misinformation, and protect our democracy – then it has to start at the neighborhood level. We have to talk to each other without worrying about what letter is behind their name or where they get their news. 

It won’t happen overnight, but we saw this month what happens if we let divisions go untreated. In the memory of those who lost their lives unnecessarily, I’m committed to never allowing such a tragedy happen again.”