Column: Why’s it so hard to do the right thing and honor the true heroes of Jan. 6?

Los Angeles Times ^ | Jan. 19, 2025 3 AM PT | Mark Z. Barabak

[E. Pluribus Unum]

• House Speaker Mike Johnson has thwarted the installation of a plaque, approved by Congress, honoring officers who protected the Capitol.
• It is vital that partisans aren’t allowed to whitewash history simply because it makes some people uncomfortable.

On Monday, Donald Trump will visit the scene of a crime, laying his hand on a Bible and vowing to preserve and protect the Constitution as he swears a formal oath to become the nation’s 47th president.

The bloodstains of the Jan. 6 insurrection have long ago washed away. The shattered windows of the Capitol are mended, the broken doors replaced. You’d never know the terrible mayhem that was visited on the seat of our national government, or the way our country and democracy were defiled that pitch-black day.

Which is exactly how some would like it.

Trump and his acolytes have spent years rewriting history and burying the uncomfortable truth — the lies about a stolen 2020 election, the violent attempt to overturn the result — beneath a reeking blanket of deception, misinformation and falsity.

The attempted cover-up is so total it extends even to the physical premises, where House Speaker Mike Johnson has single-handedly thwarted legislation calling for installation of a plaque honoring the law enforcement officers who battled pro-Trump rioters to protect the Capitol and its inhabitants — including one Mike Johnson.

Disgraceful doesn’t even begin to describe the affront to their bravery and sacrifice.

“What they went through was just horrendous,” California Rep. Zoe Lofgren said of the men and women who threw their bodies into the breach to protect lawmakers, staff members and reporters covering Congress. “Honestly, they saved us. They saved my life and they saved democracy.”

Trump has said he plans to pardon some of the rioters...

[BenLurkin]

It is vital that partisans aren’t allowed to manufacture history.

[lurk]

How many people actually harmed property or people? Do we know?

[Jim Robinson]

I don’t know but it sure is easy to spot the true villains IE, The bad cops, the statists, the leftists, The Communists the media, Democrats but I repeat myself.

[AndyJackson]

You lost AHs and your guys are about to get what they have been preaching good and hard. Oh, and you need to get a clue. We all assume that anything your write is a damned lie. If you don’t want us to disbelieve whatever you say it is real easy. STFU for a long long long long time.

[mabarker1]

nazi propaganda in action.

If one tells a LIE often enough it becomes the “truth”.

[pollywog]

Anyone purchasing and supporting the L.A.Times needs to have their head examined!!!!.. PURE garbage!

[Dick Bachert]

[Cowgirl]

They will sue for millions and win.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

The bloodstains of the Jan. 6 insurrection have long ago washed away.

Seems to me the only "blood" that was spilled was when the JBTs attacked the unarmed protestors.

[Dick Bachert]

Cowgirl, From your lips to God's ear!!

[AmericanMermaid]

When it’s a liberal, the new boss is always the same as the old boss.

[captmar-vell]

The whole thing was a manufactured Psyop.

[allblues]

Somehow the white hot loathing I have for these minions of Satan seems so inadequate.

[dead]

[wardaddy]

I imagine this writer is on borrowed time since the papers new owner is changing the course of the paper