January 6, 2025
Today, Washington, DC, awoke to a snowstorm that closed schools and government offices. That said, no weather development will stop the certification of the presidential election, Constitutionally mandated to occur on this day, January 6, 2025.
According to the House’s bipartisan January 6th Committee, “Donald Trump criminally engaged in a ‘multi-part conspiracy’ to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election and failed to act to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol.” The result jeopardized our democracy and the lives of lawmakers and law enforcement officers. Five were killed, and 140 police officers were injured.
Four years later, January 6 looks very different. Despite the snow and heavy security fortification around the U.S. Capitol, Vice President Harris will fulfill her duty to preside over a Joint Session of Congress to certify the election results. As Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Friday – at the beginning of the 119th Congress – Democrats recognize that Trump won the 2024 election because there are “no election deniers” on our side of the aisle.
The same cannot be said of Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans, who egregiously still deny the outcome of the 2020 election and would no doubt deny the outcome of our most recent election had Trump lost in November.
Earlier today, Vice President Harris shared a video where she reiterated her staunch commitment to a peaceful transition of power. She affirmed, “as we have seen, our democracy can be fragile, and it is up to each one of us to stand up for our most cherished principles.”
We each have a role to play in defending our democracy, including participating in elections, ensuring every vote is counted, and respecting the outcome of elections, especially when they do not go as we had hoped. Throughout this process, JDCA will ensure that the voices of Jewish Americans are heard, our views are known, and democracy is defended against Trump’s continued attacks.
Join us in signing a petition opposing Donald Trump’s stated plans to pardon the approximately 1,000 people convicted of crimes associated with the January 6 insurrection. Trump has referred to these criminals as his “hostages,” but our hearts are with the 100 actual hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, as well as with their families. They are not election deniers or criminals. Actual hostages are victims, unlike those responsible for crimes on January 6.
OPPOSE PARDONING INSURRECTIONISTS
Today, we’re drawing on the strength demonstrated by Vice President Harris and Democrats and recommitting to preserving democracy at the ballot box and beyond.
Democracy was the number one issue for Jewish American voters in the past two elections, and we will continue to defend our democracy today, tomorrow, and always. Thank you for supporting and being a part of these efforts.
In solidarity,
Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America