MAGA Delusions

MAGA-inspired Attack on Capitol 

Was A Despicable Act

Lack of Shame, Remorse Make Recovery Impossible for Some

By Steve Rensberry

    EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (RPNews-OPINION) -- 1/7/2024 -- I don't care which way you try to spin it, the attack that took place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, was disgusting and stupid. A noble cause? A movement to "save the country" from "evil Democrats" and "woke liberals"? A spiritual awakening or prophetic occurrence? Sorry, but it was none of these, as much as the black-and-white-thinking folks who either defend or participated in it would like to think. The full report.

    There is no need to tell the story, yet again, because we all know what we saw with our own eyes. For those who still values facts over ideology, one source of data among many is the organization American Oversight, which has provided an update on the investigation and news on all of those involved, including on state and local levels. See: The January 6 U.S. Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

    But here we are in 2025, while many of us are hoping for peace and some degree of civility, when an angry, hyper-political, vengence-filled veteran like Matthew Alan Livelsberger loses it mentally and kills himself while intentionally blowing up a Tesla truck, all to make a point that we should embrace the "hegenomy" (Livelsberger's chosen word) and aggressive type of toxic, bullish masculinity represented by Trump, Musk, and Robert Kennedy Jr., showing zero empathy toward other Americans who think differently, and that Dems should be violently removed from power along with anyone else deemed a threat. Are we still living in America, a Constitutional Republic built on democratic principles and a desire to live in peace? 

    Why are people not straight up arrested and charged when they make threats of violence against others like this, like Trump himself has done? We'd be naive to think such terrorist-style leadership was not influential with Livelsberger, fueling the idolization of such behavior. Do those who voted for him have an answer? Does it matter? Do free speech rights include the right to slander someone or make death threats (direct or implied), which Trump has done repeatedly? No.

    I sometimes wonder if the entire nation is preparing to go over the edge in one big mass cultish end-it-all scenario, similar to what happened with James Warren Jones. Everyone will be gone, but it'll all be okay because they'll just be resting comfortably in heaven, or perhaps hell. Up is down. Down is up. Life is hell. Death is good. Fundamentist evangelicals believe their God thinks liberals and "woke" Americans are evil, so anything goes, right? Is that how the new Domination-At-Any Cost MAGA radicals think?

    The irony is that those making and encouraging this type of thinking appear to many of us more as bullies than tough guys. Whatever toughness they hope to project is negated by their overwhelming bigotry and phony masculinity. Like made-up and choreographed World Wide Wrestling matches, they lack integrity, emotion, and humanitarian elements. It's a show, a disingenuouis, threatening,  violent-when-necessary show that helps them get their way.

Domestic Extremism

ADL Survey: Three Quarters of

 Americans Concerned About 

Domestic Extremism

NEW YORK (ADL) - 1/17/2021 - Following the seditious riot at the U.S. Capitol, Americans are highly concerned about violent extremism, according to a survey taken after the events released Jan. 12 by ADL (Anti-Defamation League) that evaluated perceptions of the threats facing the country.

Image credit: Anti-Defamation League

    “Most Americans now see the direct connection between the dangerous rhetoric from President Trump, others on the far right, and extremist groups to the horrifying violence at our nation’s Capitol,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “At ADL, we have been monitoring the concerning rise of extremism and the way national leaders, including President Trump, have enabled and empowered this hate to spread, especially online. The events of this week were the latest example of why it’s essential that policymakers and social media companies take concrete action to prevent future violence.”

Approximately two-thirds of Americans believe Donald Trump (67 percent) and members of white supremacist, far-right or militia groups (64 percent) are at least somewhat responsible for the violence at the Capitol. Roughly three-quarters of Americans are at least somewhat concerned about violence in the next year from anti-government and militia movement members (77 percent) and white supremacists (75 percent).

Over half of Americans also believe that social media companies like Facebook and Twitter (61 percent) and Congressional Republicans who said they would oppose certification of election results (55 percent) are at least somewhat responsible for the violence on Wednesday.

Unequivocally, Americans want the government to do more to address violent domestic extremism. Sixty-five percent want the government to do more to address the rise of far-right extremism.

“Violent domestic extremism is a global threat that will outlast President Trump’s time in office and so the incoming Congress and Biden-Harris Administration must work together proactively, deliberately and swiftly dismantle this domestic terror threat.” Greenblatt said. “Additionally, we applaud mainstream social media companies for removing President Trump from their platforms, but there is more work to be done to stop the widespread hate and extremism.”

The survey also found that 66 percent of Americans believe that the government should prosecute individuals who stormed the Capitol, while 20 percent oppose prosecuting those responsible, and 13 percent do not know.

Americans also support social media companies taking action, with 63 percent agreeing that social media companies should ban posts and individuals encouraging or celebrating extremism and conspiracy theories.

Twenty-seven percent (27 percent) of Americans believe that antifa is significantly responsible for the attack on the U.S. Capitol, and 64 percent are at least somewhat concerned about violence associated with antifa. While ADL has expressed concerns about violent encounters between antifa and the far right previously, there isno evidence to support this claim.

The survey of U.S. adults was conducted from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2021 by YouGov, a leading public opinion and data analytics firm, on behalf of ADL. There were 1,176 respondents, 1,102 of whom were aware of the incident in the capitol. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all U.S. adults aged 18 or over. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.95 percentage points.

Officers Arrested

 Two Off-Duty Police Officers 

Charged Following Events at Capitol

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – (DOJ) - 1/14/2021 - Two off-duty Rocky Mount, Virginia police officers were charged on Jan. 12 in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

    Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson were charged by complaint with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Both defendants were arrested on January 13, 2021, in Virginia. It is alleged that during the events at the U.S. Capitol, Fracker and Robertson were photographed in the Capitol building making an obscene gesture in front of the John Stark statue.

    On social media, Robertson is quoted as saying, “CNN and the Left are just mad because we actually attacked the government who is the problem and not some random small business ... The right IN ONE DAY took the f***** U.S. Capitol. Keep poking us.” He also stated that he was “proud” of the photo on an Instagram post that was shared to Facebook, because he was “willing to put skin in the game.” On Facebook, Fracker posted a comment that read, “Lol to anyone who’s possibly concerned about the picture of me going around... Sorry I hate freedom? …Not like I did anything illegal…y’all do what you feel you need to.” The post has since been deleted.

    These cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Capitol Police.

    The information contained in the charging documents are merely allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

    The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Criminal Charges

   Retired Firefighter Criminally

 Charged for Actions at Capitol

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – (DOJ) - 1/14/2021 - A retired Pennsylvania firefighter was charged on Jan. 13, 2021 and arrested on Jan. 14 in Pennsylvania in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.

    Robert Sanford, 55, of Boothwyn, Pennyslvania, was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly or disruptive conduct on capitol grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers while engaged in the performance of official duties.

    It is alleged that during the events at the U.S. Capitol, Sanford struck three U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers with a fire extinguisher. A video, recorded by an individual who was present in the crowd, captures when a man throws what appears to be a fire extinguisher at a group of USCP officers protecting the lower west terrace of the Capitol.

    The fire extinguisher struck one officer, who was wearing a helmet, in the head; then, the fire extinguisher ricochets striking a second officer, who was not wearing a helmet, in the head; and ricochets a third time and strikes a third officer, wearing a helmet, in the head. After throwing the fire extinguisher at USCP, Sanford leaves the area in the opposite direction. Federal authorities were able to identify Sanford, after receiving a tip on January 12.

    The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Capitol Police.

    The information contained in the charging documents are merely allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

    The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.