The domestic terrorist attack on our nation's Capitol building was at its core disgusting disrespect. Disrespect for our democracy. Disrespect for our Capitol building that has survived over two hundred years of disagreements between the legislative branches that call it home. Disrespect for the historic possessions housed within its walls. Disrespect for the election process that culminated with the certification of the 2020 election. Total all out disrespect for everything except their cult leader.

I have spent over five years writing about the Trump era, and it is clear that disrespect for everything except Donald Trump himself was fostered by Trump since his first campaign rally. He saw how he could excite the audience and they became his. Then he began the process of indoctrinating his flock to believe that his way was the only way. It was never about make America great again. It was all about himself. But they became believers, and the Trump cult was created. His beloved base is based upon lies, hate and disrespect.

As I watched the rioters, saw their arrogant driven faces and bodies take over the Capitol grounds and break into the building itself coming from a rally held by their leader Donald Trump, I thought about Jim Jones and Jamestown. The domestic terrorists were true believers just like the over 900 souls in 1978 who gave themselves up to a leader who ordered them to drink poison and end their lives. It’s a mentality that buys into toxic thinking perpetuated by a toxic leader. The likes of a man who tells them, “We love you, you’re very special,” as Trump did to rioters, no matter how evil their ways.

Trump has been a toxic leader from day one. We have been witness to how his narcissistic personality has played out, and it’s a picture of tragedy upon tragedy dismissed by those politicians who hung on to his coattails for dear life, and his followers whose minds were open to his continued deception. On January 6, 2021 deception turned into yet more tragic reality.

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