---

 [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  GOP Calling Trump Coup Effort 'Legitimate Political Discourse' Should Still Be Frontpage News

February 14 2022

Written by PETER CERTO.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

JAN 6 - If you're the sort of person who follows the news, you've probably heard a good bit lately about podcaster Joe Rogan, Neil Young's fight with Spotify, and maybe a little about Russia and Ukraine.

All that's good grist for the mill. But did you also hear former President Trump admit that he'd intended to have Mike Pence [**overturn the 2020 election**](https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/30/politics/trump-pence-2020-election/index.html)? In a statement, Trump asserted that Pence had the power to "change the outcome" and should indeed have "overturned the election."

Or, here's a bad one: Did you hear that the Trump administration actually drafted orders for federal law enforcement [**to seize voting machines**](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/21/read-the-never-issued-trump-order-that-would-have-seized-voting-machines-527572) before his loss could be certified?

It's true—[**Trump personally called Rudy Giuliani**](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/us/politics/donald-trump-election-results-fraud-voting-machines.html) to see if the Departments of Justice or Homeland Security could seize the machines before votes could be counted in key swing states. A [**draft of an executive order**](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/21/read-the-never-issued-trump-order-that-would-have-seized-voting-machines-527572) to do just that was published in full by Politico. It bears Trump's name.

What about this: After years of making hay over Hillary Clinton's emails, did you hear that Trump himself illegally removed or destroyed thousands of official documents?

That's right—Trump personally took [**at least 15 boxes worth of material**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/07/trump-records-mar-a-lago/) with him to Mar-a-Lago, while at least three of his former staffers said [**Trump ripped documents apart**](https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/politics/trump-rip-documents-white-house-national-archives/index.html) right in front of them. National Archivists have recovered as many as they can, but they literally have to tape the destroyed documents back together.

Finally, did you hear anywhere that one of America's two major political parties just endorsed the January 6 coup attempt? That's true, too.

You may remember January 6 for the rioters who smashed public property, viciously assaulted police officers, built a gallows outside the Capitol, and chanted for the execution of elected officials. [**At least seven people died in connection with the attack**](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/us/politics/jan-6-capitol-deaths.html), while hundreds of rioters now face federal charges.

But in a recent statement, the Republican National Committee called these despicable acts "[**legitimate political discourse**](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/us/politics/republicans-jan-6-cheney-censure.html)" and officially condemned Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Liz Cheney (R-WY), the two lone House Republicans helping to investigate the attack. (For good measure, Trump also personally promised to pardon January 6 rioters if he's reelected—something [**two-thirds of Americans say they oppose**](https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/593442-two-thirds-in-new-poll-oppose-trumps-idea-of-pardons-for-jan-6).)

Every single one of these stories broke in late January or early February this year. All were diligently reported by committed journalists. Yet in the broader media, not one of them—much less the bigger story they tell together—has enjoyed anything like the shelf life of another culture war story about an irresponsible podcaster.

So it's sadly unsurprising that [**majorities of Republicans report believing**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/03/trump-voter-fraud-birtherism/) the ridiculous lie that the 2020 election was stolen—something not even [**GOP-led investigations**](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/gop-investigation-finds-no-michigan-vote-fraud-deems-many-claims-ludicrous) have found [**a shred**](https://www.businessinsider.com/arizona-officials-rebut-election-fraud-claims-ahead-of-trump-rally-2022-1)of [**evidence**](https://www.newsweek.com/gop-aligned-group-finds-no-evidence-wisconsin-voter-fraud-after-10-month-investigation-1657112) for. And an [**alarming 40 percent of Republicans**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/01/post-poll-january-6/) now say violence against the government is justified.

If you ask me, it's extremely dangerous that the GOP is now officially sanctioning a violent coup attempt, a likely GOP contender in 2024 is openly committed to overturning elections and destroying the evidence, and a disturbing minority of the party's faithful seem ready to endorse violence to do that.

Meanwhile even Republicans like [**Mitch McConnell**](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-calls-jan-6-violent-insurrection-breaking-rnc-rcna15404) and [**Mike Pence**](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pence-defending-actions-jan-rebukes-trump-wrong/story?id=82679131), who rather bravely spoke out against the RNC's recent action, have shown themselves to be [**perfectly comfortable**](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/05/mitch-mcconnell-personally-going-to-bat-for-voter-suppression-for-the-people-act) with the voter suppression laws the party is propagating all over the country in service of the very same lies.

We live in interesting times—there's always news to cover. But these threats to our democracy need to stay top of mind all year, and every politician needs to be repeatedly asked about them. Voters deserve to know about this crisis and where their leaders stand on it.

So tell your favorite outlets: If they value the democracy that makes their work possible, they'd better park all this on page one.

**(*Peter Certo*** *is the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) editorial manager. He also writes for Common Dreams where this article was first published.)*

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/reitano%20vertical%20rework.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Website

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4d/073e-4dc54bff.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

### [May Day/International Workers Day, a Major US Holiday Ignored By The Media](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - Monday, September 7, 2026, was Labor Day, a holiday only celebrated in the United States and Canada as…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/12/073d-1253ced3.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33338:quid-pro-no&catid=378)

### [QUID PRO NO](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33338:quid-pro-no&catid=378)

MY VIEW - Quid pro quo: Latin for “this for that.” English for “bribe.” In Assemblymember Schiavo-speak: quid pro no—“N…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/09/073i-0998df2d.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33330:cd3-doesnt-need-another-promise-it-needs-a-councilmember-who-can-deliver&catid=401)

### [CD3 Doesn’t Need Another Promise It Needs a Councilmember Who Can Deliver](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33330:cd3-doesnt-need-another-promise-it-needs-a-councilmember-who-can-deliver&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles voters have heard the promises before: safer streets, cleaner neighborhoods, more housing…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/c8/073m-c88ccd9b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33339:from-democrat-to-independent-one-voters-break-with-las-left&catid=396)

### [From Democrat to Independent: One Voter’s Break With LA’s Left](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33339:from-democrat-to-independent-one-voters-break-with-las-left&catid=396)

FRED TALK - There are 4 Democratic Socialists of America on the Los Angeles City Council--Eunisses Hernandez, Hugo Soto…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/3a/073j-3a85fc78.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33333:venice-beach-keep-the-cool-lose-the-filth-and-the-blight&catid=327)

### [Venice Beach: Keep the Cool, Lose the Filth and the Blight! ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33333:venice-beach-keep-the-cool-lose-the-filth-and-the-blight&catid=327)

WESTSIDE - Let's be honest, Venice Beach is not failing because it lacks interest or visitors. It is failing because t…

---

##  [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/074g.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33346:before-we-ask-god-to-judge-us-the-jewish-people-must-judge-ourselves&catid=375)### [Before We Ask God to Judge Us, the Jewish People Must Judge Ourselves](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33346:before-we-ask-god-to-judge-us-the-jewish-people-must-judge-ourselves&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/074e.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33350:ai-has-no-conscience---so-why-are-we-giving-it-power&catid=375)### [AI Has No Conscience — So Why Are We Giving It Power?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33350:ai-has-no-conscience---so-why-are-we-giving-it-power&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/074f.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33353:common-sense-inconvenient-truths-history-lesson&catid=375)### [Common Sense--Inconvenient Truths--History Lesson](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33353:common-sense-inconvenient-truths-history-lesson&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/072d.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)### [When the Last-Minute Power Play Failed: Sacramento Finally Ran Out of Time](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/073g.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33332:the-masses-are-asses&catid=375)### [The Masses are Asses](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33332:the-masses-are-asses&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>