Political commentators from across the spectrum (Fox News excluded), white and black, raised the issue right from the beginning of the riot: If the crowd that bum-rushed the Capitol Building had comprised primarily of persons of color, the outcome would have been vastly different — they would have been shot down like dogs. This speculation, of course, was based on how blacks have historically been treated in America when raising their voices in protest.
Now that over a hundred of the traitors have been arrested and are going to have to stand before the Bar of Justice over their dastardly actions on January 6, the Washington Post just stated that supposedly there is a debate going on between Justice Department and FBI officials as to the culpability and potential punishment for lesser-involved would-be insurrectionists. “They are reportedly discussing whether or not everyone who stormed the Capitol on January 6 should be charged, with some arguing that charges should not be filed for those who did not engage in violent behavior,” according to the Post.
Now, as I’ve previously written, I’m not for sending the vast majority of the insurrectionists off to prison, only the armed and violent individuals who invaded the Capitol and engaged in vandalism or some kind of violent acts. But I do believe that everyone who trespassed on federal property that day, even if they didn’t enter the building, should be allowed to turn themselves in with the understanding they won’t face prison time.
Their names should be put on a list, similar to the “no-fly” list maintained by the government and airlines. What if one of these people wants to return home to some state and applies to become a police officer? Shouldn’t officials have that information at their finger tips? In some states would they even care?
The question is, will the would-be insurrectionists get the “white boy pass”? We black folk have not only witnessed, but have been party to (on the receiving end), unequal treatment and justice since the founding of the Republic. And it’s that long and tortured history of unfairness that makes us suspicious.
One gets the sense that the excuses being proffered by law enforcement are nothing but a smokescreen. Some officials (perhaps because they are sympathetic to the insurrectionists?) are putting forth the weak argument that processing all the estimated 800 individuals who are suspected of entering into restricted Capitol space would be a logistical nightmare for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia where the cases will be heard. This is a weak excuse since court staff personnel (including lawyers) can be shifted from other parts of the country to assist with the caseload if necessary. This is not at all unusual, and officials know it.
The feds should make the insurrectionists an offer: If they self-surrender, if they turn themselves in by February 15, they will not face prison time. They would be placed on the “watch list” for a specified period of time, along with probation and a hefty fine. Once their case expires it would be sealed.
But if the insurrectionists have to be hunted down one by one, all bets would be off. The book should be thrown at them.
Given our history, the feds have to be very careful here. If they go overboard and treat every member of the mob as harshly as possible, this could turn into an undemocratic witch hunt. But if law enforcement backs off too far and allows the majority to go free without sanctions it could raise the question: “Are some insurrectionists being given a break because they’re white?”
The last thing the Biden Administration needs at this nascent point in its existence is for Blacks to begin to question its commitment to racial justice, and indeed, if things are really going to change at all in this country. Or will it turn out to be more of the “same ’ol, same ’ol” where whites can break laws with impunity — as long as they wave a flag while doing so?
Government is big and sometimes makes mistakes. After the inauguration, about 5000 of the National Guard troops were moved out of the Capitol on January 7th or 8th and were ordered to bunk down in an unheated underground garage. When word got out around the Capitol, there was justified opprobrium and outrage, and a quick reversal. Indeed, some members of Congress stepped up and offered their warm offices to the troops.
An embarrassing fiasco was immediately stopped in its tracks and averted. The same thing should apply in this situation regarding insurrectionists: This conversation regarding letting them off the hook scott-free should instantly be nipped in the bud by Congress and the Biden Administration.
One Response to “MANSFIELD: A Grave Concern”
Peter Lawson Jones
Spot on, Mansfield!