Sunday, August 1, 2021

Sunday Best: How close was America to a coup?

Getting to the truth about the insurrection.

After a day wrapped up in U.S. news, I usually like to start my evening in London by ceremoniously shutting my laptop and blissfully ignoring any news alert that comes my way.

But on Jan. 6, my dad and I spent the night in front of the TV, stunned by what was happening on the other side of the pond. Yes, the presidency of Donald Trump was full of surprises. What was once deemed shocking eventually felt quotidian. But no one expected this to happen in a democracy like America's.

Which in some ways makes the House committee's investigation into the Capitol attack all the more crucial. "Were we really that close to a coup?" Christopher Caldwell asked this week. "The most dramatic and disruptive episode of Mr. Trump's resistance to the election was Jan. 6, and that day's events are ambiguous." But the investigation, which kicked off on Tuesday, could offer insight into what really transpired, given that there are two different narratives about that day — one based in fact and the other in myth.

As Adam Kinzinger, a Republican representative from Illinois who is serving on the committee, put it, "We need the facts." The inquiry needs to be nonpartisan, he said. "In order to heal from the damage caused that day, we must acknowledge and understand what happened, hold the responsible people accountable, learn from our past mistakes and move on — stronger and secure in knowing that we as a nation will never let this happen again."

— Jennifer Brown

Article Image

Guest Essay

How Many People Are at Risk of Losing Their Homes in Your Neighborhood?

Evictions are returning, and more than six million households are behind on rent.

By Sema K. Sgaier and Aaron Dibner-Dunlap

Article Image

Illustration by The New York Times; Photographs, via Mongkol Chuewong/Getty Images

Guest Essay

The Little Symbol Triggering Men in South Korea's Gender War

Fury over pinched fingers and a sausage is putting women's rights in danger.

By Hawon Jung

Article Image

She Changed Astronomy Forever. He Won the Nobel Prize for It.

In 1967, Jocelyn Bell Burnell made an astounding discovery. But as a young woman in science, her role was overlooked.

By Ben Proudfoot

Article Image

Joy Yamusangie

Guest Essay

What Should I Do With My White Privilege at Work?

My employer paid lip service to equality. Then it promoted me while displacing several highly qualified and experienced Black women. What should I do?

By Jenée Desmond-Harris

Article Image

Illustration by Erik Carter

guest essay

A Smarter Way to Make Decisions About Your Kids

What parents can learn from the strategies of well-run companies.

By Emily Oster

ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe Today

New York Times Opinion curates a wide range of views, inviting rich discussion and debate that helps readers analyze the world. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. Please consider subscribing to The Times with this special offer.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for Sunday Best from The New York Times.

To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebooktwitterinstagram

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

No comments:

Post a Comment