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Jan. 6: Congratulations to DOJ on Proud Boys Convictions. But Where Do We Go From Here? [1]

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Date: 2023-05-04

Congratulations to the DOJ and the prosecutors involved, for today’s results in the Proud Boys case, including conviction of Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and three others for seditious conspiracy.

Although I have been fiercely critical of DOJ’s Jan. 6 investigation (most recently here and here), I want them to be successful. I feel safer tonight and more confident—relatively—that our nation is on track to protect its democracy, due to these convictions.

But I’m sure everyone here would agree, the work is not done. To borrow Glenn Kirschner’s terminology, DOJ has now held accountable the leadership of the “boots” of the Capitol insurrection, with the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys convictions. But there has yet been no action against the “suits”—the high-level conspirators.

In this regard, one point from this Proud Boys trial must be noted. From CNN coverage:

During the trial, jurors listened to testimony from multiple officers who defended the Capitol on January 6 as well as FBI agents who investigated the Proud Boys and testimony from several Proud Boys members, including two of the defendants, none of whom said there was ever a specific plan to take the Capitol. [emphasis mine]

This point has relevance beyond just the Proud Boys trial. DOJ had to convince the jury of the Proud Boys’ guilt without “smoking gun” evidence of a plan as described above. Clearly, they succeeded. But it is reasonable to expect this to be a hindrance, perhaps even more so, when it comes to the high-level conspirators.

(And I express frustration that DOJ does not have such evidence, as this is the sort of problem that might arise when you wait over a year after the crime to perform raids, subpoena key evidence, etc. You find that a lot of the evidence just doesn’t seem to be there anymore. Surprise, surprise.)

To be clear, I’m not saying there’s no evidence. “I just want to find 11,780 votes” is evidence. Fake electors are evidence. There is lots of evidence of crimes against democracy. But this outcome suggests to me that DOJ does not have evidence regarding those who directly planned the Jan. 6 conspiracy.

Or maybe they do. Here’s hoping.

Oh—One more thing:

I can’t help but notice that Daily Kos’ new editorial mission statement puts the fight for democracy front and center:

Our wheelhouse: Certain stories have always been central to Daily Kos’ mission and identity. It’s what we do best, it’s what our audience expects from us, and it’s what Daily Kos will preferentially dedicate its time and resources to covering: Democracy . We amplify the fights for individual freedom and self-determination, both at home and abroad.

[other stuff...]

As the DOJ’s investigation enters (we hope) this next big and critical phase of going after the “big fish” who tried to, well...overthrow our democracy...could we please get some more coverage of the issue? I would really like to know whether this site thinks current DOJ leadership is serving the country well in the quest to hold accountable those who threatened our democracy. I’ve made my opinion clear. Very interested to hear the positions of some of the stalwarts on this site.

This topic is more important than...most topics covered on the site’s front page on any given day. Not because those topics aren’t important. But because this topic is existentially important to our country’s future as a democracy.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/5/4/2167603/-Jan-6-Congratulations-to-DOJ-on-Proud-Boys-Convictions-But-Where-Do-We-Go-From-Here

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