Sedition

 

SEDITION

 

Hey, kids, let’s talk about a useful word you can use in everyday situations in today’s complicated political world, especially after the attack by the Trumpist mob on our nation’s Capitol. Was that attack on the heart of our democracy an act of sedition? You betcha!

 

Some folks have referred to the attack on Congress as it met to perform a crucial legal ritual in the constitutional and peaceful transfer of political authority from one presidential administration to another by different words. Some described it as a “failed coup” or an “attempted insurrection.” Yes, those phrases certainly apply, but it was also an act of “sedition.” But, what does that word mean, exactly?

 

The current federal criminal code defines sedition, in part, as an effort by two or more people “to oppose by force the authority [of the government of the United States], or by force to prevent, hinder or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof.”

 

Does this describe the Trumpist mob’s attack on our Capitol on January 6th in an attempt “by force to prevent, hinder or delay the execution of any law of the United States”? It sure does! The assault was meant to halt the legal and constitutionally mandated counting of the presidential Electoral College vote. That certainly meets the legal definition of sedition!

 

In addition, the Trumpist mob certainly seized and took possession of property of the United States government. It not only seized the heart of our democracy, the Capitol building itself, including both the Senate chamber and the chamber of the House of Representatives, it also seized House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office and walked off with her podium. 

 

Federal law enforcement officers have since arrested the members of the Trumpist mob who occupied her office and stole her podium. Other Trumpist mobsters are being sought, and will soon be arrested, for their actions in seizing the Capitol itself during their assault Congress.

 

In the meantime, feel free to refer to the Trumpist mob’s attack on Congress as an “attempted coup,” a “failed insurrection,” or an act of “sedition,” as it was all of those things… and most specifically an act of sedition.

 

So, there you have it kids! Now you know how to describe exactly, appropriately and legally the actions of the Trumpist mob during its attack on the heart of our democracy. Sedition! Use the word today in your next conversation!