It was a dark day. But I am confident that through Biden’s leadership, and with the support of our allies, the United States will not only recover from this shameful episode but eventually emerge even stronger
Today (Wednesday, editor’s note) was a dark day. It was a dark day for the United States and for democracy around the world. The sight of a mob—incited by President Trump, his minions and enablers, and their endless lies—invading the Capitol and disrupting the workings of democracy was devastating.
As the shocking and disgraceful events started to unfold, I tweeted the following: “My naturalization ceremony was my proudest day as an American. Today, I am appalled, angry, and saddened as never before.” As we learn more about the details of what transpired, those raw emotions have only grown stronger. What the world witnessed was an act of sedition; it was an attempted coup, a putsch.
The damage to the United States—its dedication to the rule of law, its reputation for decency, and its global standing—is significant and the events are a humiliation. Democracy worldwide is damaged as well. Autocrats around the world have been handed a tremendous gift. The road to recovery and repair will be long and require grit and determination.
Despite all this, I remain optimistic about America’s democratic resilience. As I write this, Congressional leaders announced that they will resume the electoral count later this evening. America’s legislative leaders sent a clear signal that they will complete their constitutional duties despite the violent assault on the Capitol. Make no mistake. America’s democratic institutions and its government remain strong.
Equally significant is the reaction of the leaders of America’s allies. While the shock and dismay reflected in their statements is unmistakable, their underlying confidence that the United States will get through this crisis is clear. They are right. Everything about Trump’s presidency has been a major challenge to the values and promise of the American political experiment. Despite the horrific domestic terrorism that was the assault on the Capitol, the machinations of sensible governance, while bruised, remain intact.
Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States in less than two weeks. He is poised to restore goodness and decency to American governance, democracy, and leadership. I am confident that through his leadership, and with the support of U.S. allies, the United States will not only recover from this shameful episode but eventually emerge even stronger.
(The author is a Senior Fellow in the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security)
