Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have all been outspoken against the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, and now 97-year-old former President Jimmy Carter has publicly joined with A piece for The New York Times.
“One year ago, a violent mob, guided by unscrupulous politicians, stormed the Capitol and almost succeeded in preventing the democratic transfer of power,”Carter wrote.
“…There followed a brief hope that the insurrection would shock the nation into addressing the toxic polarization that threatens our democracy. However, one year on, promoters of the lie that the election was stolen have taken over one political party and stoked distrust in our electoral systems.”
The violence at Capitol was the result of a rally by Trump who refused to concede his presidential loss, and encouraged his followers fight for him. According to CBS News.
Four of the rioters who stormed the Capitol were killed, and one Capitol Police officer was assaulted by the crowd later died.
Four officers who responded to the incident committed suicide in the months that followed.
Carter spoke out about this result and stated that “violence has no place in politics,” and wrote about disinformation having a direct correlation to destruction.
“This great nation is on the edge of an ever-widening abyss.” Carter said.
“We face a real danger of civil conflict and the loss of our democracy if we do not take action immediately. Americans need to put aside their differences and work together before it’s too late.