One of the most frequent defenses I encounter regarding the seditious events that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 is the classic “But what about the BLM protests?” This is a prime example of whataboutism, often conveyed not through words, but through images of buildings ablaze.
Another common retort is, “It wasn’t us.” (This is often followed by claims that it was Antifa, BLM, radical socialists, or a cast of paid actors.) A variation of this argument insists, “Those individuals don’t reflect the majority of Trump supporters.”
Let’s briefly set aside the fact that Black Lives Matter protests were aimed at addressing systemic violence against Black individuals in this country, perpetrated by those sworn to protect them. We are expected to believe that Trump supporters are generally decent individuals with whom we merely have differing views on minor political matters. We are meant to accept that the Capitol chaos was an isolated incident caused by a negligible number of “bad apples,” all while liberals are painted as the villains.
First off, anyone paying attention with even a modicum of informed reasoning saw this coming for years. We’ve been anxiously anticipating this outcome since before Trump even took office. His rhetoric and the reactions of his supporters were clear indicators of a looming crisis.
Claiming that the “bad apples” among Trump supporters absolves us of concern does not hold water, especially considering Trump’s dismissal of police violence against unarmed Black men as merely a few “bad apples.”
The full saying is, “A few bad apples spoil the bunch.” Take, for example, the Minneapolis officer who killed George Floyd; he had numerous complaints against him yet remained in a position of authority. If we’re going to talk about bad apples, we need to show a willingness to remove the rotten ones. Otherwise, the logical conclusion is that the entire bunch is unsalvageable.
The “bad apples” who stormed the Capitol and those who continue to plot insurrection? If you identify as a Trump supporter, it’s important to acknowledge: These individuals are part of your community. You’re all in the same barrel, whether you care to admit it or not.
You might not condone their violent actions, but by supporting Trump, you are also endorsing his most zealous followers. Trump thrives on the chaos of the Capitol riot; it feeds his massive ego and allows him to distance himself from the consequences.
If you doubt that Trump backs those who stormed the Capitol, look to his own words. His reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests was, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” Yet, during the Capitol insurrection, he needed to be persuaded to address his supporters and urge them to stand down.
His weak statement of “We are the Party of Law & Order” pales in comparison to his previous declaration. While Black Lives Matter protests faced harsh rhetoric, the insurrectionists received a pat on the back with Trump saying, “We love you. You’re very special.”
This discrepancy shows where Trump’s true loyalty lies. He revels in the idea that these “bad apples” could spoil the whole bunch. Imagine if all 74.2 million of his voters were as fervently supportive of his false claims of power as those who stormed the Capitol—he would be elated.
This is Trump. This is his base. They are interconnected; they form their own political entity. Supporting him means supporting those who commit acts of sedition. Whataboutism won’t change this reality. Denying the connection between the insurrectionists and Trump supporters doesn’t alter the facts.
Trump is the epitome of a bad apple, and it’s time we remove him from the equation.
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In summary, while some may try to distance themselves from the violent actions of a few, supporting Trump means being part of a larger narrative that condones such behavior. It is essential to recognize the connections and implications of such support.