I have been deeply concerned by the actions of the Justice Department, the courts, and Congress in dealing with the so-called insurrection of January 6, 2021. I realize that some people apparently consider that event to have been an almost unprecedented threat to our Democracy, but I believe they are wrong. Only a few hundred people engaged in actual violence, and the Republic was never in danger.

The Justice department has rigorously and viciously pursued hundreds of people whom they identified as having been involved in demonstrations at the Capitol on that fateful day. Walking peacefully through the Capitol building was enough to draw serious charges and heavy sentences, and at least one member of a suspect organization was sentenced to 22 years in prison even though he was not even in the city on January 6.

The courts were at their worst in prosecuting these insurrectionists. Numbers of the accused were held for many months and treated as if they were vicious criminals while awaiting trial. Murderers and rapists often receive more compassionate handling in the DC jails. Finally, when those charged appeared in court, and even when there was no indication that the person had committed a physical assault on anyone, judges often imposed harsher sentences than those given to criminals convicted of the most heinous offenses.

As for Congress, the House of Representatives created a January 6 Committee to investigate the events of that day. By precedent, such select committees should have a roughly equal number of Democrats and Republicans. Nancy Pelosi refused to accept appointees by the Republican House leadership, and instead she appointed two Trump-hating Republicans to serve with seven Democrats. Why should we give any credence to anything issued from such an irregular committee? It was a blatant farce!

Justice is at its nadir in Biden’s America.