This week, following a violent assault on Representative Gerry Connolly’s team, calls for increased nationwide U.S. Capitol Police presence have intensified, highlighting the escalating risks to lawmakers in an era of heightened political polarization. Meanwhile, House Republicans successfully stalled a vote to expel Representative George Santos, charged with a 13-count federal indictment, underlining how partisanship often leads to a free pass for the unethical conduct of elected officials. Finally, the conviction of Christopher Worrell, a member of the Proud Boys, for his role in the Jan 6 Capitol attack underscored the resilience of the judicial system in holding those who jeopardize our democracy accountable.
Here’s what you need to know for the weekend:
Main Points for the Weekend:
1. Violence against Congressional staff spurs calls for expanded Capitol Police presence
The rising threat of violence against Congressional staff members, highlighted by a recent attack on staffers of Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) in Fairfax, Virginia, has intensified calls for an enhanced U.S. Capitol Police presence nationwide. The brutal assault on Connolly’s team, using a metal bat, brought attention to the risks lawmakers face amid escalating political polarization. In response, U.S. Capitol Police are seeking to expand their field offices across the country, increase cooperation with local police departments, and bolster their understaffed dignitary protection division. Despite a surge in funding following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, the focus has been on fortifying the main Capitol campus, leaving a perceived gap in members’ security away from Washington, D.C.
- Top point to make: The escalating threat of violence against elected officials and their staff in our democracy is a profoundly distressing development. It represents a direct fallout from the extremist rhetoric disseminated by a significant number of politicians and media commentators. These figures often leverage their platforms to demonize political opponents, potentially leading susceptible individuals to accept these vilifications as truths and, worst of all, to condone or enact violence against these perceived adversaries. This state of affairs is wholly unacceptable; the purpose of political discourse should be to facilitate constructive debates and negotiation, not to fan the flames of hostility or violence. Only through temperate dialogue can we expect to maintain safety for those who serve in our democratic institutions, while also ensuring a functional, civil society.
- If you read one thing: The Hill, 5/15/23: Connolly staffers injured in baseball bat attack in district office: Two staffers for Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) were hospitalized Monday after a man entered the congressman’s district office in Fairfax, Va., and assaulted them with a metal bat, underscoring the threats faced by lawmakers amid extreme political polarization in the U.S. Connolly, who represents Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, said the assailant asked for him before attacking his staffers, who were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Virginia Democrat said Monday evening that he had visited the staffers in the hospital and both have since been released. The suspect struck a senior aide in the head and an intern in the side with the metal bat, Connolly told CNN. It was the intern’s first day on the job, Connolly said. The congressman told the network he was at a ribbon-cutting for a food bank when the assailant entered his office.
2. House Republicans block vote to expel indicted Rep. George Santos
In the face of a 13-count federal indictment against Representative George Santos of New York, House Republicans successfully stalled a Democratic effort to force a vote on his expulsion. The charges against Santos include wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, stealing public funds, and lying on financial disclosures. Voting along party lines, Republicans, who hold a slim majority, moved to refer the expulsion resolution to the House Ethics Committee, which has been investigating Santos’s finances and campaign activity for months. The measure, which required a two-thirds supermajority to pass, was seen as unlikely to succeed. Santos himself voted in favor of referring the resolution to the ethics panel. Despite Democrats’ continued push for expulsion, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has expressed his desire for the Ethics Committee to swiftly conclude its investigation of Santos.
- Top point to make: The allegations against Representative George Santos are grounded in a 13-count federal indictment, encompassing serious charges such as wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, public fund theft, and falsifying financial disclosures. These are not partisan allegations; they are legal ones raised by our judicial system. It is regrettable that this issue has been recast as a partisan matter by House Republicans, essentially forming a protective circle around the party rather than addressing the alleged illegal conduct of an elected official. The necessity for accountability in our democratic system cannot be overstated, and this extends unequivocally to those in office. No individual, irrespective of their political position or affiliation, is above the law. It’s essential for our elected representatives, who are entrusted with upholding the law, to be the very embodiment of this principle.
- If you read one thing: New York Times, 5/17/23: House Republicans Stall Effort to Kick George Santos Out of Congress: House Republicans on Wednesday repelled an effort by Democrats to force a vote on expelling Representative George Santos of New York, who was charged last week in a 13-count federal indictment covering wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, stealing public funds and lying on financial disclosures. Republicans voted along party lines, 221 to 204, to refer the resolution to expel Mr. Santos to the House Ethics Committee, which has been investigating Mr. Santos’s finances and campaign activity for months. The measure to expel Mr. Santos, introduced by Representative Robert Garcia, a Democrat of California, was unlikely to succeed in the House, where it would have required a two-thirds supermajority to pass. Republicans hold a majority so thin that Mr. Santos’s vote remains crucial, reducing the political incentive for them to support his ouster.
3. Proud Boys member convicted on seven charges, including assault and obstruction, in Jan. 6 Capitol attack
Christopher Worrell, a 52-year-old member of the Proud Boys from Naples, Florida, has been convicted on seven counts related to his participation in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The charges, which include felony counts of assaulting police with a deadly weapon, rioting, and obstructing Congress’s confirmation of the 2020 presidential election results, follow a five-day bench trial. Worrell had initially pleaded not guilty to all original 19 charges. Notably, he was found guilty of entering or remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous weapon, engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds, and impeding officers using a dangerous weapon.
- Top point to make: The conviction of Christopher Worrell, a member of the Proud Boys involved in the January 6 insurrection, serves as a testament to the resilience of our justice system. It’s heartening to see justice prevail, particularly when our democratic principles have been so flagrantly violated. The individuals who participated in this attack threatened the foundations of our democracy. This conviction sends a clear message that such actions are intolerable and will not go unpunished. As more cases related to the January 6 event are adjudicated, the effectiveness of our justice system is being demonstrated, which should give the American people increased confidence in the rule of law.
- If you read one thing: Washington Post, 5/12/23: ‘Tool’ of the Proud Boys convicted of Jan. 6 police assault, rioting: A Florida Proud Boys member whose medical mistreatment at the D.C. jail led a judge to order his pretrial release and to find jail authorities in contempt of court 19 months ago was convicted Friday of assaulting police, rioting and other charges in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Christopher Worrell, 52, of Naples, Fla., was found guilty after a five-day bench trial on all seven counts, including felony charges of obstructing Congress’s confirmation of the 2020 presidential election results and assaulting police with a deadly or dangerous weapon by spraying three officers with pepper gel.
Expert Voices
David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research and former Justice Department senior trial attorney, re: stolen election false claims on Twitter: “‘Talk is cheap,’ said David Becker, a former U.S. Justice Department lawyer who now leads the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research. ‘It’s good that he acknowledges that it’s important for Twitter to act responsibly. … But then we have to see this action actually taken, because it’s happening right now.’” Associated Press
Norm Eisen, senior fellow at Brookings Institute: “Was Trump’s false electors scheme in Georgia lawful? Some are now trying to argue that it was—based on a 1960 precedent in Hawaii[.] I call BS. In this thread I explain why—& why Trump & his allies are likely facing charges for the scheme” Twitter Thread
Mac Brower, Democracy Docket staff writer: “While turnout was still historically high for a midterm, there was still 50% of eligible Americans who did not vote in the 2022 elections. The Census data suggests that the inconvenience of voting is still a key barrier for many people, with a quarter of nonvoters citing being too busy as their reason. At the same time, states with robust mail-in and early voting tended to have higher turnout. Together, these two data points suggest expanding access to early voting and mail-in voting is a way to improve turnout among all Americans.” Democracy Docket
Clark Cunningham, professor at the Georgia State University College of Law, re: Trump’s attorneys Fulton County motion: “‘In my opinion, the Trump motion is entirely without merit,’ said Clark Cunningham, professor at the Georgia State University College of Law. Cunningham said that he found Willis’ response to be ‘persuasive,’ with the most powerful point made being that Trump’s request to prevent evidence presented to the special grand jury from being used in any future criminal proceedings is inconsistent with well-established Georgia law that injunctions of criminal investigations are not allowed.” Courthouse News Service
