A Capitol offense: Undemocratic Jan. 6 break in weakens our security, violates American core ideals and exposes hypocrisy within policing

The+events+at+Capitol+Hill+on+Jan.+7+demonstrated+an+attack+on+American+democracy%2C+Rida+Zar+writes.

Ngan Dang

The events at Capitol Hill on Jan. 7 demonstrated an attack on American democracy, Rida Zar writes.

By Rida Zar, Sunny Hills High School

In 1801, on the eve of his last day in office, John Adams — the second president of the United States — appointed a total of 58 “midnight” judges to the Federal Circuit courts.

He hoped to maintain a Federalist influence as political power shifted for the first time to another party under the next president, Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson.

Adams’ actions demonstrated an undemocratic abuse of power. Judges who were appointed to the Supreme Court such as John Marshall served life terms upholding Federalist values without having gone through the proper approval process, even when their rulings went against the popular opinion of the people.

America yet again endured another undemocratic stunt Wednesday after some radical supporters of President Donald Trump, geared up in Make America Great Again merchandise and American and Trump-labeled flags, plundered the Capitol building.

The violent siege of a historic building cost the safety of the lawmakers, police and Trump supporters involved, and went against basic democratic ideals of popular sovereignty by opposing the 2020 election results.

“I know your pain. I know you’re hurt.”

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