The Enemies Are Now Among Us

Summary

A Congress member reflects on the political turmoil and personal security concerns following the January 6 Capitol riot, as they prepare to present evidence to the House committee.

Abstract

The narrative centers on a Congress member's reflections on the January 6 Capitol riot, the subsequent political fallout, and the impact on their personal safety. The individual, having witnessed the violence firsthand and received threats, has taken precautions such as hiring private security and purchasing body armor. They ponder the implications of the RNC's censure of fellow representatives and the presence of far-right and white supremacist elements within the political sphere. As they head to a session to present evidence of an attempted insurrection and coup, they grapple with lingering distrust and uncertainty about the intentions of their security detail, echoing broader societal tensions and fears.

Opinions

The Congress member expresses skepticism about the RNC's characterization of the January 6 committee's work, viewing it as a misrepresentation of the events.
There is a belief that some members of Congress may sympathize with or have assisted the rioters, suggesting a potential internal threat.
The narrative conveys a deep concern for personal safety, as evidenced by the Congress member's decision to hire private security and consider the necessity of body armor.
The Congress member's internal dialogue reveals a sense of vulnerability and distrust, particularly towards individuals who might resemble government agents or threat actors.
The article implies a critique of the political climate, where partisan divisions have escalated to the point of endangering elected officials and undermining democratic processes.

Will the next threat to bring America down come from inside our ranks?

You’ve just kissed your wife. You grab your briefcase and walk to the door. It was a long night preparing your speech for today’s session, after listening that the Republican National Committee censured Representatives Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney for their participation in the House January 6 committee.

Blaming them for participating with Democrats and utilizing their political affiliation to mask the abuse of prosecutorial power for partisan purposes, persecuting ordinary citizens engaged in “legitimate political discourse.” — RNC

You say to yourself: Political discourse, my ass! I was there when the riot started, and the Capitol police escorted us out of the chamber!

You remember watching on the TV what the Associated Press reported as “a line of men wearing helmets and body armor walking up the marble stairs in a single-file line. Each man holding the jacket collar of the one ahead, or what is known as Ranger File Formation.”

A procedure for stacking up to breach a building that we see in movies and any US soldier or Marine who served in Iraq or Afghanistan knows.

Once considered one of the most secure buildings in America, the Capitol was breached by a mob wearing red hats and chanting “Hang Mike Pence,” while a red noose stood on the West side of the Capitol.

Thinking about the letter you and other 30 Congress members signed, asking authorities to investigate the claim that some QAnon and white supremacist sympathizers, within members of Congress, could have helped the rioters from inside.

After that day, you decided to hire private security personnel and buy body armor to protect you. Now that the waters seem to calm, you stopped using it and wonder if it was a good idea after all the hate mail and threat tweets from your constituency and Trump supporters.

But today, you had to go to the Capitol before the January 6 committee and show the proof that far-right conspiracy theorists, and white supremacists, breached the House of Representatives and the Senate. In an effort for an insurrection and a coup to put Trump in power, to be the “Absolute Leader of the New United States.”

At the advice of your family, you hired a new security team to get you to today’s session.

As you walk to your car, you see a man dressed in a dark suit rapidly approaching. This moment you feel as many African-Americans when they see a police officer or anyone resembling a government agent, deciding if this person is someone I can trust or if they want to harm me?

The man tries to help you with your briefcase, but you politely decline. When you get inside your car, your mind can’t stop wondering, “but are they really here to protect me?”

As the door shuts, you hear him say:

“The Mockingbird is in the trap, I repeat; the Rat is in the trap.”

Short story

The Enemies Are Now Among Us

Will the next threat to bring America down come from inside our ranks?