Three years after the Capitol Riot on January 6, 2021, American politics remains deeply divided. The events of that day resulted in the loss of five lives and left hundreds injured or traumatized, highlighting the stark polarization within the nation.
Recent surveys indicate that nearly half of Americans believe democracy isn't functioning effectively. The Public Religion Research Institute's 14th Annual American Values Survey reveals that 23% of Americans agree with the use of political violence, a figure that has increased by eight points over the past two years. Additionally, a poll by The Navigator finds that a staggering 83% of Americans are concerned about the threat of political violence.
Peter Eisler, an investigative reporter at Reuters, observes, \"We are in this incredibly divisive period right now where you have political opponents who are no longer just divided by their positions on particular issues. Now you have people in each party sort of demonizing the other, characterizing them as enemies of the people, as traitors against the country.\"
As America approaches another election year, the political landscape continues to unravel even before voting begins. Last December, the U.S. House of Representatives initiated an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, accusing him and his family of profiting from his vice-presidential role under former President Barack Obama. When questioned about the motives behind the inquiry, Republican Congressman from Texas, Troy Nehls, stated, \"All I can say is Donald J. Trump 2024, baby.\"
However, Donald J. Trump faces challenges as Colorado's Supreme Court and Maine's Secretary of State have declared him ineligible to run for the presidency again, citing the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. This amendment prohibits officials who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding future office.
Darrell West, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, remarks, \"It revealed the strains in American politics. We have a high level of polarization, hyper-partisanship is out of control. And so, the mob violence was just a reflection of some of the underlying problems that we have in American democracy.\"
Adding to the dysfunction, the House of Representatives in 2023 saw an unprecedented 749 votes yet only successfully passing 27 bills into law, marking the least productive Congress in decades. The White House continues to struggle with low approval ratings, with President Biden entering 2024 with a net approval of just 38.9%.
With another vote looming in 2024 and certification scheduled for January 2025, hopes remain that history does not repeat itself.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
