Transcripts For CSPAN Lawmakers 20240705 : vimarsana.com

Started. I am the senior associate and i wanted to thank everybody for coming out today and joining us on this cold morning but the sun is out. I want to recognize two coalitions for helping organize this event. The not above the Law Coalition which is a group of over 150 organizations committed to protecting our democracy and fighting for accountability and the rule of law. I would also like to thank the declaration for american democracy which is a coalition of over 250 organizations dedicated to the passing reforms including the freedom to vote act, the john r lewis Voting Rights act ndc statehood. Tomorrow marks three years since the attack on the very Capitol Building that stands behind us. Not only was it an attack on the building but in a larger sense, also an attack on our democracy. It was an attack on the concept that a free people can elect its own leaders in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness and that that peaceful transfer of power will occur when the time comes. Three years ago, that concept was tested and for the first time in our nations history, the peaceful transfer of power did not occur at its schedule time. Today you will hear from speakers about the intent to whitewash and misrepresent the events of that you will hear from members of congress who i think joining us during their recess. Congress is not in session. And other organizational leaders at the forefront to protect our democracy and Voting Rights, as well as train them and expand them. Thank you again. Im thrilled to bring up representative jamie raskin from marylands eighth district. [applause] rep. Raskin good morning, everybody. Joe biden beat donald trump in the 202 president ial election by more than 7 billion votes. This is the heart and escapable fact that trump has not been able to accept to this day. That was the cause of the attempted political coup that took place on january 6. The hallmarks and authoritarian they refused to renounce where they openly embrace Political Violence. [indiscernible] hold israel accountable. They reject the results of democratic elections that do not go their way. Number two is they embrace Political Violence as an instrument for obtaining political power. Ok. Forgive us for the interruption. These are hard times. We are in defense of democracy and human rights and peace all over the world. That is what we stand for. That is why we are together today. My friends, i want to say this. The struggle that began on january 6 in this building continues to this day. Donald trump is out there saying he will issue a pardon to the more than 700 people who were convicted of participation in the violent insurrection against the union. There are people who have been convicted against assaulting federal officers, people convicted of finishes conspiracy which means conspiracy to overturn the government. Donald trump is saying that he is going to pardon all of these people and he means it. These people form the inner core of the donald trump for President Campaign 2024. What he is saying is he will release and pardon these while president d. C. Residence, a majority of whom were black and brown i had no idea it was real until later. I saw people breaking into the building and starting to hurt people. Multiple officers were injured that day. Five deaths, i think resulted from officers that day. I know that we had serious consequences from that day. We all realize what took place. The congress had hearings on it. He laid out the information extensively. We know the truth out there, the documents, the videos that are out there. I got up today and opened up the Washington Post and saw the 25 of americans believe that the fbi was behind the assault on the capital on january 6. From my perspective, january 6 was a wakeup call. Today, three years later, we need a true call to action to address this. We have got to get back on track with respect to making sure that the big lie that has been told over and over again by donald trump and many of his members of the Republican Party, the public needs to hear the truth. Not to make sure they get that information so they can make the right decision based on the correct information. The other part we need to make sure continues to happen is right down the street. The courthouse between here and the white house have been moving forward with prosecutions for all of these january 6 defendants for more than several years. They are on the process of convicting i think they have convicted over 700 people so far. They are continuing to move forward with that. The sedition prosecution has resulted in jail sentences of over a decade for each of those individuals. I think it is critical for us to make sure that continues to go forward and also, the Court Process to make sure donald trump is held accountable, as well. For example, he is facing the 91 criminal counts. I think it is critical to make sure that goes forward, those cases take place. In addition, i think we have got to make sure that the cases that are here that involve the individuals that broke into the building that day, all of those individuals have to be held accountable. Yesterday, the u. S. Attorneys office held a press conference that said yes, they have dealt with almost 1000 people so far. They potentially have hundreds more to prosecute. We have got to make sure that goes forward so whether the folks that are out there pushing the big lie it held accountable for that are not, the people who broke in that day and caused damage and disruption to the democratic process and actually tried to overthrow the democracy that day, they all have to be held accountable. I want to say this one thing before i go. A couple nights ago, i was watching the Channel Nine News and i saw an individual with us here today. I thought it was important for us to give him a chance to speak about what he with through that day and make sure people here both sides of what happened as he pointed out that day, there are a lot of people who were defendants in these cases who are trying to use their military background to get mitigation, to get leniency from the court of their sentence. He is a veteran. He served, as well. It is important for him to get his story out so people can hear it and make sure they balance out who the real patriots are and the people who are really working for the United States and making a difference. He is definitely in that category. I want to introduce sergeant goodenow. [applause] good morning. Tomorrow is going to be a solemn day not only for myself, but many of my colleagues who almost three years ago, defended the capitol against the mob. I did what i did and my colleagues did what we did, not because we were seeking accolades, awards or metals but because it was our duty, our job to defend the country, defend the capitol. One thing that i have to tell the new speaker of the house, when he tells everyone that rioters, the mob members, they need to be brought out on the videos. Because he does not want the justice to identify and prosecute and prosecute those members of the rioters. In the same breath, in the same sentence, he says he is a member of the party of the law in order and order. In the same breath, he says blur out their faces because he does not want them to be prosecuted. I risked my life. My colleagues wrist their life risked their life on january 6. That is not how you support Police Officers. That is not how you support us, Law Enforcement, all Police Officers. You claim to be the party of law and order, you are not proving that you are. You are not supporting the Police Officers. You are supporting the rioters. When you call on those individuals that came to hunt you guys down room by room and the only reason why they did not make it to you was because the efforts, the Police Officers did that day those people were not patriots. Those people were not hostages. Those people were not peaceful. You see pictures and videos of the fighting, lets walk down to the stairs. I will show you what i did to defend you and your colleagues on that day. When you call those people patriots, what that makes us, the Police Officer then . What does that make us, the Law Enforcement officer . What was our sacrifice for if you keep calling them patriots . They were not patriots. They would try to kill you, your fellow colleagues, and people in line to the secession of the presidency, including mike pence. There was an attack on his own safety, along with his family members. The Nuclear Codes were here. If that was not national security, i do not know what is and i do not know how to convey you that january 6, we almost lost our democracy. If it was not because of the actions of us, the Police Officers did on that day, we would have lasted. Did we accomplish everything that we tried to do . No, we failed. But, that is because we had thousands and thousands of people here attacking us, reaching the capitol. Many of these members behind me probably would not have made it if it was not because of the efforts on january 6. Do not tell me you support the Police Officers. Do not tell me you are the party of law order when you do not want an investigation about what happened. When you continue to support the same person that continue to undermine our Democracy Institution that is able to hold him accountable. Mitch mcconnell, right after the impeachment, he said the former president was responsible for it. Kevin mccarthy said that on january 6. I went home on january 6. At 4 00 a. M. , arriving on january 6 at 6 00 here on the capitol. My day was long. My colleagues days were long. For you, it might have been a few hours that you endured january 6. For us, it was ongoing and still is. Two weeks ago, i was in Court Dealing go round the ramification dealing around the ramification for that day, continuing to fight for eye self and those affected by it. I was assaulted by more than 40 people on that day. Not a single one except for liz cheney and Adam Kissinger have reached out to me. They claimed that they support the Police Officer, each one of them, including the former president and everybody down. Do not tell me, because i do not believe you. I think the American People see that, too. Thank you. [applause] thank you, sergeant. Thank you for your bravery, your courage. Next speaker i went to bring up is mr. Cervantes, president for the american way. [applause] hi everybody, i am president for the people of the american way. We are best known for two things, one is being founded by norman lear over 40 years ago to fight for and protect and expect and protect our democracy. At one point, employing the now honorable congressman jamie raskin. Something we are extremely proud of. He is still teaching us now about what america can and should be. It should be a place for protest. However loud, however boisterous, however disruptive. Protest is ok. We are here to commemorate something that was not ok. Something that went jan annoying, disruptive, something that was lethally dangerous. Equally dangerous not just to the brave officers fighting to protect the heart of our capital but to every american striving to build a life of purpose and satisfaction. I came to this work because i was the mayor of ithaca, new york. Beautiful city in upstate, probably the most beautiful. I was very proud of the work that we were doing. I was very proud of the community that had lifted me up and bolstered me. On january 6, i watched and it occurred to me that there were forces in this country that were left unchecked. Could unravel everything that we have built, that nothing that you worked for, nothing you strive for, nothing you strived to achieve could be sacred. Nothing could be safe if our democracy was not say. I called the founder of people for the american way. Already a friend and mentor of mine, and ask what we could do. He said we could do a few things. He said we could work to make sure the courts protected us. So far in so many ways, they have. He said we have to fight at the state level. So far, we have, turning back hundreds of state bills but 56 of them have gotten through. 12 in the last year alone have gotten through. To restrict peoples right to vote. Norman fought the nazis in world war ii. He came home to fight fascism and extremism. What he told me more than anything is that this fight on january 6 was not the beginning of a fight, and neither was it the end of a fight. If we were committed, we could win this fight over the coming decades or coming years. Last month, some of you might know we lost norman lear. At 101 years old, he passed away. We told him, no more skydiving. He just refused. My last conversation with him was two weeks before he passed, was similar to our first one. He wanted to know what we were doing to defend democracy on the ground. What were we doing in virginia . What were we doing in ohio . What were we doing in wisconsin . I think if more of us woke up every day and asked ourselves what norman asked us, what can we do where we live . What can we do to fight . We would be better off. We believe we are on the right track if we follow what representative norton and representative jamie raskin and those that congress, we are fighting to defend our democracy. If we fight in 2024, we can keep safe everything we hold dear because our democracy is not an abstract thing. Our democracy is key to keeping us all safe. There is one other person im thrilled to introduce now. I hope boy, i tell you i am surrounded by a lot of folks. Whatever internal megaphone he has got is impressive. We need to get him as a quarterback for the giants. I am going to i hope you will welcome the Vice President of Public Citizens, lisa gilbert. [applause] thank you and i will try to project. I am the executive Vice President of Public Citizen and Public Citizen work to protect our democracy, to fight corporate power, to make sure our system is fair and representative. I am honored to be here today with these incredible, congressional champions and these amazing colleague organizations. Public citizen is a leader in the declarations for american democracy and we cochair the knot above the Law Coalition. The not above the Law Coalition is dedicated to accountability and the rule of law and there is no more important day to talk about these concepts. Tomorrow, it will be three years to the date since we faced an unprecedented assault on our democracy. January 6 forever be remembered, the lives and violence three years ago on a more than 2000 rioters entered the capital, they looted and vandalized the building itself. 140 police were attacked. Five people eventually lost their lives. Most americans watched the event of january 6 play out on Television Screens and their twitter feeds, more than four out of every five americans condemned what they saw. The good news is that our system of justice is working. Donald trump is in the midst of being held accountable for his crime in the court. The more stressful news is that it is 2024. We are now less then a year out from the next president ial election. Reasonable people are justifiably worried about whether the will of the American People will actually prevail. As we look ahead to the election, we have to reaffirm our american belief. Our belief in a peaceful transfer of power. Our belief in a legitimacy on our elections and our belief that we live in a nation where we respect the results. The hard truth of the matter is that in the three years since the insurrection, we have not done enough to protect our democracy, to ensure that nothing like this could ever happen again. We need real, concrete action to fix that. We need to adequately fund our elections. We need to protect our election workers on the ground. We need to fight against this information misinformation. We need to hold accountable the perpetrators of the big lie. We must work to uncover the secret corruption in our democracy and eventually passed legislation that enshrines all of this in law in the form of the freedom devote act and the john r lewis Voting Rights advancement act. Together, we can make sure we do not repeat these mistakes, that we have a robust moxie that is backed up by the confidence by the American People, that can hold criminal actors accountable and one where our elections are safe. Thank you, i hope that was loud enough. I am going to hand it to our next speaker. Im honored to bring up the elections commissioner of the county board of elections. [applause] thank you so much. I am honored today to be in our nations capital. I understand but behind me that are personal heroes of mine. We are marking the third anniversary of january 6 insurrection. The big lie that led to the insurrection continues to this day. It is having an adverse impact on election workers throughout the country. The Brennan Center last year released a center that said 45 of all legal elected officials have reported an increase in physical threats and harassment and 20 of those Election Officials have decided to retire before the 2024 election because of that. A report later last year of the shows this problem may be greater than we thought. 40 of the lead Election Officials in those states are going to be new for the 20 election. In big battleground states, his words. Arizona, 14 of 17 counties have new Election Officials going into 2024. Cnn said pennsylvania has 40 of their 70 counties, have new Election Officials going into 2024 and they have all left because of the harassment. Because of the targeting that has happened because of the big lie. We have lost hundreds, if not thousands, of years of experienced Election Officials going into the crucial 2024 election. The big lie continues to this day. It has resulted in Voter Suppression laws across the country. It has resulted in citizen groups, have formed to go door to door to target voters in new york state and harass them, accusing them of wrongly voter fraud. I am honored to come here today to ask for federal legislation to protect election workers that will parent a lot of the state legislation that has happened. We need resources to be able to deliver the vote safely and accurately in 2024 so the voters voices are heard. I believe in the bipartisan board of elections of this country. People that have come to serve the public are not doing it to get rich, not doing it to get famous, they are doing it to serve their friends and neighbors. They deserve the protections of the federal government and their state governments and their local governments to make that job possible. I am hopeful that we can see legislation in this next year in the federal government and resources directed so those boards of election can do their job in an accurate matter and deliver the voice of the American People to the ballot box and give them their choice this election. Thank you very much for having me. Thank you very much for attending. [applause] i would like to secondbest city, syracuse. I would like to introduce donald sherman, executive Vice President and chief counsel for citizens for responsibility and ethics in washington. [applause] thanks for the introduction. Thanks for being here. My name is donald sherman. I am the government ethics lawyer at crew. I am a former congressional staffer who worked in the building behind me. I am a d. C. Resident who watched in horror along with the nation as the place where i once worked in the place i taught my kids how to ride their bikes was attacked in an effort to overturn a free and Fair Election. This was an insurrection. In my own neighborhood. We are a Nonprofit Organization that uses legal and policy advocacy along with Robust Research and communications to promote ethics and transparency in our government and in our elections. Three years ago, a violent mob incited by former President Trump stormed our capital in an attempt to overturn the 2020 president ial election. The insurrection disrupted the peaceful transition of president ial power for the first time in our nations history. The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. But, this is where Section Three of the 14th amendment steps in. A constitutional provision forcing the aftermath of the civil war that disqualifies both breakers who engage in insurrection against our constitution, this disqualification clause is an essential safeguard for our democracy. Inciting a violent mob to overturn an election and disenfranchise millions of americans is exactly kind of undemocratic activity that meets this test. Section three is necessary to protect our democratic process from those seeking to undermine it through insurrection or rebellion. It was literally built for this moment. The only question is, are we . Our our courts . If we do not use this tool to defend our democracy now, we may be facing another insurrection a year from now, or further into the future. Since the reconstruction era, there have only been two successful lawsuits to disqualify insurrectionists from office, both of which were brought by crew on behalf of brave citizens willing to stand up for the constitution. Cruise case representing new mexico residents in wendy 22 moved 2022 removed khoi griffin from office as a county commissioner. Cruz case in colorado on behalf of six republican and unaffiliated voters led the Colorado Supreme Court to hold a month ago that donald trump was disqualified and could not appear on the colorado president ial primary ballot. Former President Trump has tried to muddy the waters to make these issues seem complicated, but they are not. The only factfinders to reach the merits of Section Three issues found that january 6 was an insurrection in that donald trump engaged in it. Section three is a qualification, akin to age or citizenship, enforceable without a criminal charge or conviction. No one, not even popular candidates or former president s, is above the law. But, the accountability effort is not about any one organization, which is why we are glad to receive help in our litigation from groups in the coalition among others, and why we were proud to file and advise the main challengers who secured a decision from secretary follows disqualifying trump from that states ballot, preventing another january 6 requires teamwork. After all, our democracy is on the line. Three years after the tragedy of january 6, 2021, the effort to ensure accountability for the insurrection and related efforts to subvert the 2020 president election remain ongoing. Cruz and leaders across the country are going to continue to do the work necessary to promote that accountability. Now, in my time on the hill, i worked for the late elijah cummings. In 2019, he sat before this nation in a hearing where congressman raskin attended and congresswoman norton attended. He said as he stared death in the face, when we are dancing with the angels, the question will be asked, what did we do to keep our democracy intact . He was in that moment, even as he faced the disease that would take his life. And, we are in that moment now. Section three of the 14th amendment is a crucial defense mechanism to prevent future insurrections from donald trump or anyone else. We hope that our leaders across the street and across the nation are listening and will vindicate the constitution and reaffirm that no one is above the law. Thank you very much. I want to pass the mic to my colleague, who is a political director at common defense. [applause] end the genocide now good morning and thank you for being here. I am the political director of common defense we are a grassroots organization. Im a veteran of the u. S. Army and the war in iraq. When i was in iraq in january 2010, they were holding a second ever national election. For many iraqis, it was the first time they had the chance to cast their ballot. On that day, they were not targeting the american soldiers were providing security for their elections. More than 100 iraqi people were killed or injured that they across the country as they simply sought to cast their ballot and exercise the fundamental right to vote. In that moment, the sanctity of our rights became clear to me and i promised to never take that for granted. When i saw what happened right here on january 6, 2021, i was more than just shocked and appalled. I was scared for what could happen to our country if we allow the big lie to fester and allow insurrectionists to take power. Three years ago on that dark january day, our nation witnessed a terrifying assault on the foundation of our democracy. A mob incited by lies and fueled by a hunger for power stormed the capital, leaving a trail of violence, trauma and shattered trust in its wake. It was not just an attack on a building. It was an attack on every vote cast, every voice, every principal that america was built upon. The scars on that day runs deep. Five lives were lost, hundreds were injured and the fabric of our nation was left in tatters. Let us not forget the true culprit, the poisonous mix of political ambition and disregard for the truth that birthed that insurrection. Donald j. Trump. Fueled by grievance and a hunger for power, weaponize the live about a stolen election and unleashed a mob against our democratic process. While that day etched itself in our history, it was not an isolated incident. The shadows of january 6 linger. Across the country, rightwing politicians continue their assault on our democracy, erecting new walls to hinder our vote, spreading conspiracy areas and targeting election workers with violence. They aim to dismantle the very mechanisms that guarantee our freedom to choose our elected leaders. Turning free and Fair Elections as part of a witch hunt remember this, america has seen darkness before. And each time, we have emerged stronger. This time will be no different. Now is the time for american heroes to stand up for what is right. We the people will not stand by as our democracy is dismantle. We will rise together with our voices a chorus. We demand accountability. Those who incited, aided and a bed in this insurrection must face the full consequences of their actions. We will not let this president for Political Violence stand with impunity. We stand for our election workers. They deserve to work without fear and we will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment that keeps driving them away. We demand action. We urge congress and state legislators to enact democracy reform across the country. We need clear and uniform voting standards and most importantly, an end to gerrymandering that distorts the will of the people. We need to protect our ballots from the nip elation and our elections from interference. When i emigrated to america as a young boy, i took an oath to this country. When i joined the army, i took another oath to protect this constitution and protect it from all enemies foreign and domestic and make no mistake, neither republican today, let this be our oath. We will not let january 6 the finest. We will not let lives so fear within discord of our nation. We will remember the fallen, honor their sacrifices and reclaim our democracy one vote, one voice at a time. We are the custodians of this republic and the future of american democracy rests on your shoulders. Let us to show the world that even in the face of darkness, america remains resilient. Together, we will rise above, rebuild our trust and ensure america is a beacon of hope and liberty for the world, shines brighter than ever before. Thank you. Next is the league of contribution voters. [applause] in the Program Director at league of conservation voters. The will of the people will be protected and respected. For over 250 years, our democracy has been making peaceful transition until 2021. At a time where we have seen the hottest temperatures on record, extreme weather events across the country and across the world, and scientific certainty that Climate Change is human caused, the American People have gone to the ballot box in election after election and have clearly voiced their demands to address our climate. Now, the Environment Movement is a Political Violence that happened on january 6, fully inline with the powerful interests that undermine the world of our democracy. Whether it is a big whether it is oil big spending influencing our elections or individuals storming the capital in order to overturn certified results, the goal is the same. That is why we say that we need to have a healthy democracy in order to address Climate Change. We cant effectively address Climate Change if the pro inviting proenvironmental will of the people is to be respected. We cant fully address Climate Change of our elected officials do not represent Diverse Communities around the country that are affected negatively by our environment. We cant address Climate Change of communities of color who experienced the worst impact are ignored and systematically erased. We cant address Climate Change if we consistently spread lies in person and online that attack the legitimacy of our elections. We cant combat Climate Change of workers are being attacked for doing the right thing and counting our votes in the election. We cant effectively address Climate Change if Political Violence is used to overthrow our system of government. As an environment organization, we support the right to protest. We believe that nonviolent protests can be a tactic in order to impact positive change. January 6 was not a protest. January 6 was in insurrection. It was a violent attack on our democracy aimed at silencing the will of the voters and American People. We cant let january 6 happen again. Our micro secant handle it and our our democracy cant handle it and our climate cant. We are asking congress to do everything in their power to ensure the horrors of 2021 are not repeated again, by fully funding our elections to ensure that every voter can cast their vote freely, fairly, safely and securely in 2024. By holding the perpetrators of january 6 accountable, because we know that no one is above the law. Thank you. [applause] at this time, i am going to bring up the spokesperson for courage for america. [applause] good morning, everybody. My name is jose morales, i am honored to be here today representing courage for america alongside this incredible coalition. Firstly, i want to thank congressman raskin, congressman by the end congresswoman norton for joining us today and marking a somber occasion. A year from tomorrow, january 6, 2025, it will be the First Time Congress certified a president ial election after an instruction. According to recent polling, two thirds of americans think another insurrection is intimate is imminent. That is why we must work to ensure a peaceful certification of the 2024 election. However, that and only start by making sure that every american knows what actually happened. Here is what happened. On january 6, 2021, insurrectionists were incited by maga extremism to attack the capitol, the standing symbol for democracy in our country. The event on that day were horrific, informatics event for all of us. I stand with the vast majority of americans and people around the world who were appalled by what they saw on their Television Screens or at home on their phones. For those who told their stories the days that followed. Captain Police Sergeant canel encouraged are two of the stories by the men and women whose lives were endangered by the insurrectionists and all told 140 Police Officers who stood on the front lines to defend our democracy, were attacked by 2000 rioters who broke into the u. S. Capitol on that day. Five people died. As we reflect on that painful day in american history, we are asking everyone to look forward. Congress has a major role to play in certifying the 2024 Election Results and possibly picking the candidate if no candidate receives 270 votes. Regardless of who is running or where they stand on the political spectrum, ensuring a free and Fair Election should be a nonpartisan issue. Congress must be united in prioritizing the security of our democracy for all future generations. However, as many of us know, today the road to get their fields harder than it should be. Maga extremists have chosen to undermine our democracy at every juncture and will continue to do so by Standing Firm on their decisions to vote against the 2020 election, continuing to spread and perpetuate the big lie that the election was stolen, minimizing what happened on january 6, 2021, condoning the actions of extremists who stormed the capital and even now as we speak, pushing harmful, antidemocracy legislation that makes it harder for Everyday Americans to vote while also defunding Election Security grants. We are beginning a new year and i am asking us to show a resolve to defend against these dangers antidemocracy initiatives pushed by maga extremists. We cannot allow false narratives, misinformation and extremism to win. We simply cannot. We have to tell the truth. Regardless of where we come from, no matter your walk of life, what makes us proud to be an american is our ability to vote for our elected officials. This right is often taken for granted but nevertheless, it is what makes our country a beacon of hope and one that many who come to join. I am so proud to work in tandem with courage for america. We are using every tool at our disposal to inform the American People of what i just spoke about today. And what is at stake is we do not we secure is if we do not secure our democracy, that includes sharing the stories of those impacted by the insurrection, uplifting the needs of Everyday Americans, some of whom have joined me here today for the solemn anniversary, traveling from nebraska, texas, maryland and places all over. They know that securing our democracy is personal to them. I hope it is personal to you. They will share their story in this message about the dangerous precedent was set on january 6, and that we can stop another insurrection. During a time of Great Division in this country, now more than ever, i take a call to stand united against extremism in congress because our democracy as we know it is at stake. Before i go, i want to thank, defense who is here with us today, who marked the solemn occasion a year ago. We Work Together on this and other issues with members not above the Law Coalition and anyone who Still Believes democracy on the line is worth fighting for. Thank you everyone for being here today, in truth and protecting our secure democracy must be a team effort. It is an honor to be on this team with you here. I will now pass it over. Thank you. [applause] thank you for standing out here. I want to mark on all of the comments that happen said. It is clear, accountability is not just slogans. Comprehensive democracy reform is imperative. That means passing the freedom to vote at, passing the john r lewis act. That must happen. I want to thank everyone again. Reporters, if you have questions, please feel free. Come forward. Appreciate everybody and everyone have a good day. Thank you. [applause] thank you. We do not have time, unfortunately. Give me one second. We can do a free question. Sorry about that. [indiscernible] well. Let me digress for a moment here. In case it is not totally obvious, everyone here, there is no one at this event who supports genocide. There is no one at this event who supports racism. There is no one at this event who supports apartheid. There is no one at this event who supports terrorism. I cannot imagine a group of two people who think that somehow to the effect who think that somehow it is an effective tactic to interfere with jeff progressive, Democratic People standing up for our freedom. [applause] so. Back to your question. Section three of the 14th amendment, given to us by the right republicans of the 19th century in 1868, says that no one who swears an oath to uphold and defend the constitution and violates that oath by engaging in insurrection or rebellion, shall ever be allowed to hold federal or state office again. The language is perfectly clear. It is totally unambiguous. We are going to hear from the supreme court. I hope that they are real originalists, they are real textual lists, they accept the language of the constitution as it is written. Some people think that clarence thomas, some people think that sam alito, mrs. Waterford or whatever her name is, will always vote with donald trump no matter what. Perhaps that is right, but i am hoping that there will be a horde of justices who will actually stand by the constitution of the United States, the way we are here to stand by the constitution of the United States today. Justice thomas wife was directly involved in organizing the protest that became the violent insurrection, which backed up donald trump scoop, his attempt trumps coup, his attempt to overthrow the election of 2020. She was directly and integrally involved in those events. I do not think there is anybody in america who can reasonably look at this situation and say a justice married to somebody who is a key participant in these events should not recuse himself. Obviously, under the supreme courts berry lack ethics code that it just adopted for itself a few months ago is going to be up to him. I think he country should stand up and say that justice thomas, 41, must recuse himself because of the involvement of his wife and these events. [indiscernible] the reason that i am so thrilled and excited about the assembly of so many Great Civil Society groups here today is that people understand that the peoples election is actually threatened again by donald trump and his cultish followers. They have never recanted to their claim that donald trump actually won in 2020. He is running around the country saying he is going to pardon the january 6 insurrection us who are in jail, even though the other half of the time, they are saying they are actually antifor fighters and fbi agents, which would make it hard to understand why they are protesting for their removal. In any event, there is no logic over there in the land of conspiracy theory. Yes, we have to defend the election at every level. At the precinct level, ruby freeman and shaye moss defended the election. We have got a defendant at the state level where rad raffensperger, at least last time did the right thing. We have a defendant on january 6 again where Vice President pence withstood incredible pressure to step outside of his constitutional role and declared donald trump the winner. We are going to have to try and mobilize on a cross partisan basis, everybody who supports constitutional democracy to defend the constitution. There you go. [indiscernible] thank you for those questions. Number one, the vast majority of American People believe in Democratic Institutions and believe in free and Fair Elections. It is only authoritarian parties which take the position that they cant lose an election, and if they do come the election was contaminated. That is a hallmark of fascist Political Party they do not accept the results of free and Fair Elections that do not go their way. The vast majority of americans stand on that side. Joe biden won by more than 7 million votes. There are millions of young people coming into the political process who also support democracy and freedom. So, i am feeling good and optimistic about it. As to the clause, it is Section Three of the 14th amend meant itself. It is very clear in the constitution, the president of the United States may not accept a present, a payment, a office or title of any kind, whatever, from a prince, king or Foreign Government without consent of congress. Yet, we showed yesterday, we got the documented receipts that document that donald trump pocketed 7. 8 Million Dollars from Foreign Governments, from china to saudi arabia to the United Arab Emirates without ever coming to congress first. It took us seven years to accumulate all of this information. We got 100 we got a 150 page report and they have not laid a glove on our report. They have not found a single thing that they claim to be factually inaccurate. All they are saying is, donald trump did not take his salary of 400,000. I am sorry. Under the constitution of the United States, that is all you are allowed to take his or her salary. You cannot get paid by Chinese Communist bureaucrats or murderous saudi monarchs. You have to get paid by the American People. That is how the framers designed our constitution. We will do one more, then i think we are done. Yes. Three years out from january 6, a question for any lawmakers here. Are you can student are you concerned about the stemming from this . Rep. Raskin we should not be having tours of the Capitol Grounds in the capital, exactly what took place on january 6. I hope that we will get to a point where there will be an exhibit inside the capitol which talks about sergeant goodale and harry dunn and the Police Officers who put their lives on the line on that day, that talks about the heroes of democracy who stood up for the constitution. Right now, we are still stressed about whether we would be able to get through this election on a free and fair basis. When we defeat trump and we defeat trumpism, we will get to a point where january 6 will be a day or we can celebrate the heroes and the champions of democracy like sergeant caddell. Sergeant caddell has had to leave the capitol because of injuries he received to his shoulder, to his foot, the other parts of his body. He has had to create a new life. He has written a beautiful book called american shield about his journey from being an immigrant to the country to realizing his dream as a capitol Police Officer, to standing up on january 6 and trying to see that justice is done. This is a struggle that is continuing to this very day. My friends, we are in the fight of our lives, but it is a fight that we are determined and resolved to win. Thank you for coming. [applause] i want to say one more thing. I was not born in this country. But, i did take my oath to this country very seriously. When i became a u. S. Citizen, when i joined the military, when i became a Police Officer and when i swore an oath to protect this building. Again, when i got promoted to sergeant twice in the military and here at the capital. I left the Department Almost a year ago. I separated because of the injuries, both physical, mental and also moral. Because what the Republican Party are doing and saying is that my injuries, all those three types, i made up, that i fake those injuries. They do not support what i had done for this country. All the sacrifices that i had done for this country. 23 years of my life as a public servant. I, in no good conscience, can i continue to protect them. That is the reason why i left last year in 2022, i am sorry. I cannot trust them to defend the country. I could not trust them to have my back. If there was an incident here at the capitol, would they be helping me secure the building . Four, would they in no good conscience can i continue to protect them. I cannot trust them to defend the country. I couldnt trust them to have my back if there was another incident here at the capitol, would they help me secure the building or would they be restraining me from preventing from protecting these individuals behind me including themselves and their family. I couldnt trust them and i still dont. Every single time they say they support Police Officers, dont believe them because they dont. Its just made up things they like to say in public but in reality, they have not taken any action to support that. Today, i had the privilege to be in a newsroom with my former colleagues, harry dunn. He made an announcement today because some of the same members who participated in the riot, the mob, they have been running for candidacy to be in a position of power and public trust. They should not be the only one running for those positions. Harry dunn declared today he is a candidate for the Third District of maryland and i will support him. Because we need people like him, someone who will put his life on the line for you, for this country and for this place. Some of the people who i defended, i dont trust them especially from the republicans. They did not have my back and i shouldnt have their back and no longer will i have their back. I think its a shame that they dont see the sacrifices we did on january 6. Not just me but the entire department including metropolitan police. It is in saying that they continue to do this, supporting the same person that sent the mob to kill them and their colleagues. Please support harry, please support harry, get him in office, thank you. [applause]