In the aftermath of the violent insurrection at our nation’s Capitol by a mob supporting Donald Trump, haunting images are emerging of National Guard members dozing on the cold floors of this historic building. A week after the chaos, these troops remain vigilant, guarding the Capitol and its grounds as the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden approaches, with fears of further violence looming.
These poignant photographs evoke a deep sense of sorrow—if you can feel anything at all. This situation is far from ordinary.
It is not typical for our military to be tasked with protecting our government buildings from domestic threats. The striking visuals reveal soldiers resting on hard floors, using their uniforms to shield their eyes from the light, trying to catch brief moments of sleep while keeping their weapons close by.
Does the MAGA crowd take satisfaction in this? Is this the outcome they desired? The party that claims to support the troops seems to be failing them spectacularly.
As Congress deliberated on another impeachment article against Trump, these soldiers remained stationed in the Capitol Rotunda and the Visitor Center. The scene is both powerful and heartbreaking—a reflection of a country in turmoil. HuffPost reporter Alex Thompson captured the sentiments of those present: “If I walked into my place of work tomorrow and saw this, I’d be stunned,” one soldier remarked in disbelief.
Representative Mark Reed, who gained attention last week for his efforts to clean up after the Capitol riot, echoed the sentiments of many: “How did it get so bad? How did we reach this point as a nation?”
One soldier reflected on the unusual circumstances of military presence within the Capitol. Some members of the Guard had never even been inside the building before this. A particularly gut-wrenching moment came when a soldier, when offered cots to sleep on, declined, saying he wouldn’t want to risk damaging the marble floors of “one of the coolest buildings in the world.”
While a few congressional representatives brought in pizza to share with the troops, it is hard to label such gestures as heartwarming. It’s deeply saddening that these soldiers are positioned to safeguard our Capitol from domestic terrorists, individuals incited by a president who should no longer hold office.
Countless lives have been disrupted or lost due to a leader who refuses to accept the electoral outcome, a loss that was clear and decisive.
Let’s pause and absorb this: our military and law enforcement are facing greater dangers due to Trump and his insurrectionist supporters. The very groups that Republicans profess to support are now endangered, all to uphold a shared delusion that the election was fraudulent.
As reports emerge suggesting that some Republican members of Congress may have aided the insurrectionists through reconnaissance tours, the safety of our armed forces is potentially compromised. If true, the threat may be closer than we think.
Our troops deserve far better than this—and so does our nation.
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In summary, the images of our National Guard members resting uncomfortably while protecting the Capitol serve as a stark reminder of the current state of our nation. The troops are facing unprecedented challenges, and their dedication deserves to be recognized and honored.