The Morning Sixpack - January 6, 2025
Four years ago TODAY, the traitors stormed the US Capitol. They will be free soon.
I’m back from a long, much-needed hiatus. Lots happened in the past two weeks, including a massacre in New Orleans, a Cybertruck explosion in Vegas, Jimmy Carter died, and (it seems) the world has gone mad. And they’re taking it out on world leaders.
Four Years After January 6: Lives Forever Changed by the Capitol Riot
The events of January 6, 2021, remain a defining moment for American democracy and the individuals involved. Over the past four years, nearly 1,600 domestic terrorists in the Capitol insurrection have faced legal consequences, with charges ranging from misdemeanors to seditious conspiracy. While some rioters have returned to their lives after serving time, others remain entrenched in their beliefs, highlighting the deep political and social fractures in the country.
As Judge Royce C. Lamberth remarked last year, “I have been shocked to watch some public figures try to rewrite history, claiming rioters behaved ‘in an orderly fashion’ like ordinary tourists… That is all preposterous.”
The attempted overthrow of the US government prompted the largest investigation in Justice Department history, with arrests spanning all 50 states. Defendants have faced judgment at the federal courthouse mere blocks from the Capitol they stormed. For some, like Eric Clark, the aftermath has been a journey of rebuilding. Clark, who served five months in prison for his actions, now works on a drywall crew and has reconciled with his daughter, who had reported him to authorities. Others, like Jacob Chansley, the "QAnon Shaman," continue to frame their convictions as evidence of systemic tyranny.
Even for those acquitted, the scars of January 6 linger. James Beeks, a former Broadway actor cleared of charges related to his participation with the Oath Keepers militia, now lives in a van and struggles to resume his career. The stories of these individuals underscore not only the personal toll of their actions but also the broader consequences of that day on America’s democratic fabric.
Source: The New York Times - The Jan. 6 Rioters, 4 Years Later
In my not-so-humble opinion, each of these shitbags should be in prison for at least 20 years, if not serving life terms for TREASON. I’m against the death penalty; if I weren’t, they’d have been hanged in the public square.
Congress to Certify Trump’s Victory Amid Stark Jan. 6 Legacy
As Congress convenes to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory, the shadow of January 6, 2021, looms large. This year, security is at unprecedented levels, with black fencing surrounding the Capitol—a stark reminder of the deadly attack four years ago when Trump supporters stormed the building in an attempt to overturn his election loss. Now, in a historic twist, Trump returns to power after a 312-226 victory, a moment layered with tension as America grapples with its democratic identity.
Unlike the chaos of 2021, this year’s certification is expected to proceed without violence, protests, or objections. Both Republicans and Democrats appear resigned to the outcome, with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over the session, certifying her own defeat in a ceremony steeped in tradition. Reflecting on the previous attack, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who once supported Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, declared, “Whether we’re in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber making sure this is done.”
This year’s calm, however, contrasts sharply with the volatile aftermath of Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the Capitol, leaving destruction and death in their wake. While some see this moment as a return to normalcy, others caution against complacency. “We should not be lulled into complacency,” warned Ian Bassin, executive director of Protect Democracy. With Trump’s reelection renewing debates over democratic resilience, the question remains: Was January 6 an anomaly, or does this moment signify a deeper reckoning for America’s political future?
How the fuck this dude got elected again, I will never understand. We had a great successor to Joe Biden and we took a pass. As they say, “you reap what you sow!”
Kamala Harris to Certify Her Defeat to Trump: A Historic Moment in American Democracy
Four years after Donald Trump incited the Capitol insurrection to overturn his 2020 loss, Vice President Kamala Harris will preside over the certification of her own defeat to him. In a video message, Harris described her role as a “sacred obligation” to ensure the peaceful transfer of power, emphasizing, “As we have seen, our democracy can be fragile. And it is up to each of us to stand up for our most cherished principles.”
While Monday’s proceedings are expected to be calm, the day is steeped in historical significance and the lingering legacy of Jan. 6, 2021.
Harris joins a small group of vice presidents who have presided over the confirmation of their election losses, but none under such unique circumstances. Trump’s return to power comes after a campaign marred by his refusal to accept his previous defeat and his calls for election fraud conspiracies. Despite the peaceful tone of this year’s certification, Harris has consistently invoked the dangers of Jan. 6, warning voters of the risks posed by a leader she described as a “petty tyrant” and “wannabe dictator.”
This moment reflects the resilience of American democracy while highlighting its vulnerabilities. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who resisted Trump’s demands to overturn the 2020 election, reflected on the riot's impact: “I had no right to overturn the election… His reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day.”
Source: Harris will oversee certification of her defeat to Trump four years after he sparked Capitol attack
BONUS: All Americans Know January 6th Was An Insurrection. Decent Ones Care.
Justin Trudeau to Step Down as Liberal Leader Amid Growing Pressure
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to announce his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party during a press conference at Rideau Cottage this morning, sources have confirmed to CBC News. Trudeau will remain in his role until a new leader is chosen, marking the end of an era for the three-term prime minister. This decision comes amid mounting calls for his departure from within his own party, with an increasing number of Liberal MPs and regional caucuses, including those from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario, urging him to step aside.
The announcement caps a challenging period for Trudeau, whose leadership has faced criticism from members of his party. At least two dozen MPs have voiced concerns publicly, calling for a fresh direction ahead of the next election. Trudeau, who has led the Liberal Party since 2013 and served as prime minister since 2015, will address the nation at 10:45 a.m. PST, according to a release from the Prime Minister's Office.
This pivotal moment underscores the shifting dynamics within Canadian politics. Trudeau's decision to resign signals a turning point not only for the Liberal Party but also for the political landscape he helped shape during his nearly decade-long tenure as prime minister.
Source: CBC News - Trudeau to announce he's stepping down as Liberal leader
Canada, UK, France, and Germany: All your leaders may be gone before long.
Keir Starmer’s Speech: A Bold NHS Vision Overshadowed by Controversy
In a pivotal NHS speech, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined a partnership-driven approach to healthcare reform, sparking debate over his embrace of private sector collaboration. Describing this shift as “the new paradigm in health,” Starmer brushed aside criticism from the left. However, his handling of contentious issues, including Elon Musk’s attacks on his safeguarding minister Jess Phillips and public outrage over grooming gang scandals, has drawn sharp criticism. While Starmer initially dismissed Musk’s “increasingly unhinged criticisms,” he later launched into an impassioned defense of his record and Phillips, steering the conversation away from public demands for accountability in the handling of grooming gang cases.
Starmer’s response to the grooming scandal, described by some as deflection, has fueled public frustration. Critics argue that dismissing concerns as “far-right rhetoric” undermines valid anger over systemic failures. “It was not the ‘far right’ who betrayed these girls,” the article asserts, condemning officials who prioritized political correctness over justice. By framing the issue in polarizing terms, Starmer risks alienating the public and diverting attention from the institutional accountability many demand.
Despite these missteps, the speech did highlight key NHS reforms. Yet, the Prime Minister’s strategy of framing opposition as extremist has overshadowed his vision for progress. As public anger grows over unresolved scandals and perceived government inaction, the legacy of Starmer’s leadership may hinge on whether he can address these concerns directly rather than dismissing them as partisan noise.
Source: Keir Starmer’s speech may be the last gasp of a floundering Government
Trump’s Tariff Plans May Shift Focus to Key Sectors
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly revising his ambitious tariff strategy to target specific goods and services rather than imposing blanket tariffs on all nations. According to sources cited in The Washington Post, this narrower approach could include industrial metals, medical supplies, and energy, potentially reshaping global commerce while avoiding the sweeping inflationary risks of universal tariffs. “The plan would still cause major changes to global commerce,” the report notes, though it may lack the broad impact of Trump’s original proposals.
The news comes amidst concerns over inflation and trade deficits. Economists caution that, unlike during Trump’s first term, current economic conditions may amplify the effects of tariffs. The U.S. trade deficit, which ballooned during the COVID-19 pandemic, stands at $74 billion per month, underscoring the financial pressures influencing Trump’s policies. While tariffs imposed during his first presidency had limited inflationary effects, analysts worry that a repeat strategy could disrupt already fragile supply chains.
As Trump prepares to take office, the question remains: Which sectors will bear the brunt of the tariffs? While the details remain uncertain, the focus on select industries signals a shift from the universal approach that has characterized Trump’s trade philosophy. The global economic landscape is bracing for potential changes as the administration’s final plans come into focus.
Source: Trump reportedly considering important alteration to tariff plans
All y’all who voted for Trump: When will you accept that he lied to you AGAIN?
NOTE: I think broad tariffs are BAD. And most “targeted” tariffs are ineffective. But this is BETTER than his original verbal diarrhea.
BOTTOM LINE: Trump doesn’t think. He reacts with vengeance. Then smarter people talk to him and he changes his mind. I just hope we have some smart people inside that White House. I really fear we don’t.