Dear Editor,

EPIPHANY: January 6th is observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the gentiles, or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ. What occurred on January 6th in America instead, was a last manifestation, perhaps, of the departure of a demon. The day was plagued with turmoil and troubles by Biden’s adversaries and, not until midnight did a shaken and stirred US Congress confirm and certify Biden’s win and victory. A dark day for democracy in the USA when America was under siege. A coup incited, influenced, inspired and instigated by outgoing President Trump, in a “Desert Storm” fashion, pro-Trump mobs, gangsters, thugs and anarchists staged a violent insurrection to bulldoze their way and physically stampede all over Capitol Hill.

A day when America ceased to be the icon for the “Beacon of Hope”, and became a sore for the “Symbol of Despair”. Two women and two men died, 52 arrested, dozens of people hurt in an unruly crowd, and many Capitol Hill police officers injured in the line of duty. Republicans who voted for the destructor who wanted to make America great again are now angry and rebuffing Trump as the destroyer who is tearing America apart. When the oxygen is being taken away from supporters, this day has become a turning point, and Republicans have come to realise that might is not right, and they were not going to protect America by attacking Capitol Hill. Trump encouraged and urged the organised gatherers to walk down together on to Capitol Hill and take back America, not by weakness, but in strength and by being strong, to prevent VP Pence from discharging his legal duty, allowing the smooth process of the counting of the certification of the electoral college votes.

A stomach-turning and gut-wrenching day, protesters then turned rioters, goons looted and vandalised Capitol Hill, engaged in criminal activities in order to disrupt a constitutional process. It was not dissent, but disorder and lawlessness orchestrated at the behest of President Trump, nursing a selfish man’s injured pride; a man who had abandoned his post and chose to wax his time gulfing and instructing the rolling of heads of non-supportive Republicans in any official office, and insinuating his rebels to revolt and help him not to abide in any peaceful presidential transition. Donald Trump wanted his VP Pence to overturn the results of the election which show that Joe Biden was legally elected as the next President, and Kamala Harris was lawfully elected as the next Vice-President. As the sitting president, Trump tried numerous legal petitions, challenging the results, and all were dismissed or retracted. Many were appealed and treated indifferently by the Courts in various districts.

It was really surreal, and this infamous caucus saw the end of an era of an erratic Trump endangering the lives of members of Congress, who had to dive to shelter for safety; security officers drawing guns to prevent them from being physically attacked. Shocked, surprised and sad, President Elect Joe Biden painstakingly addressed the nation, saying, “Democracy is under an unprecedented assault,” requesting Trump to address the despicable situation, and go on national television to call off this unlawful act by his supporters, and ask them to vacate the premises and go home peacefully. Biden asked Trump to perform his presidential duty, and defend the Constitution. Donald trump allowed the unruly crowd to conduct their illegal and criminal activities the whole day, and it wasn’t until almost the end of the day when the 6PM to 6AM curfew in the State of Washington DC was about to kick in, did he, in a one-minute address video-tape, tell his rowdy men and women to go home peacefully. But he also reminded them that the election was a fraud, lying to them, and saying that he loved them. His words would support the violent behaviour and the repercussions. Thus, the call for accountability, impeachment, sanction, a Commission of Inquiry and also the enactment of the 25th Amendment. This Amendment can pave the way for VP Pence to become the President for the remaining period until the 20th of January, Donald Trump being deemed incompetent to occupy the seat as reigning president.

The Mayor of Washington DC adumbrated that it was a cold and horrible day when the assault on democracy was unbelievable shameful, unlawful and unpatriotic. Trump’s violation of duty, his abuse of power and Wednesday’s fiasco was something that happens only in a Third World country as acclaimed by Trump’s once-close Republican senators and friends. His supportive allies, including Graham and Pence, departed from his company, rebuked his actions, and asserted that such revolting actions were tantamount to a revolution, and attested to a civil war, a Davis vs Lincoln. It was an active, domestic terror, committed by white supremacists. Two pipe bombs, one from the DNC and one from the ANC and other weapons were found. These groups are related to the KKK, perpetrators of white racism. The troubled and trembling Republican senator, Mitt Romney, in his address to the floor, pleaded with Trump to desist with his lies and tell the truth, reminding the world that what they witnessed does not represent America. Disgusted and disturbed by Trump’s devious and devilish diabolism, his display of arrogance, pompous false ego and bombastic sagacity, staff from his administration resigned, and his closest allies abandoned him in frustration and embarrassment.

The rest of the world was shocked and appalled at the tyranny, as they witnessed the shame and disgrace executed by Trump and his advocates. Guyanese were reminded of the APNU+AFC’s vulgarity displayed by senior members of the party during the counting of the election votes last March. Guyana was also held under siege by the Coalition, as they attempted to rig the election and refused to concede to a PPP/C victory, as confirmed by a CARICOM recount result. The APNU+AFC humiliated Guyanese at home and abroad, and now, as if tutoring Trump, Trump duplicated the Coalition’s nescience to paint a day of doom and gloom, tarnishing the image of America at home and abroad. A desolate day that began shakily for the Democrats, ended on a solid foundation, as they sealed control of the Senate as they won both of the senate seats in the State of Georgia, thereby securing command of both the House and the Senate. Not until the wee hours of Thursday morning did Trump pledge an orderly transition to a Biden’s Presidency, but still not conceding. He remains isolated in his lonely world, just as Granger remains hiding in his palace. It is humiliating as the world notes that Twitter and Facebook have blocked Trump’s account indefinitely.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall