Trump did plenty to incite violence on the Capitol

To the Editor,

     In response to Donald W. Bohlken’s Jan. 20 Letter to the Editor…

     Yes, you’re correct, the anarchists came equipped to attack the Capitol Jan. 6, 2021. They had been hearing the inciteful rhetoric (to encourage or stir up, violent of unlawful behavior) of their President’s guidance for weeks and months.

     You are correct to say, “Obvious they planned to attack long before…” Yes, of course they did; anyone who paid any attention to the rhetoric or former President Trump for weeks and months knew this was going to happen, instigated, incited, and encouraged by Donald Trump.

     The time table Bohlken set up is meaningless and amusing and amazing! The rioters were acting on what their President had been saying (to them) for a long time, long before the elections, and after!

     Yes, even if they were not at the location of the President’s rally the morning of Jan. 6, to hear his sorry speech that morning, they all could listen on their phones as they proceeded to the Capitol.

     (Also, a few weeks earlier when former President Trump called the Georgia official and told him to “find 11,780 votes,” that should tell any thinking person, former President Trump was attempting to force this election official to cheat and abuse all that makes America’s voting system admirable and special. The only voting abuse that was promoted was by former President Trump.)

     Former President Trump has instigated, incited, and encouraged his followers for months. They had plenty of time to set up, make a plan of action, prepare pipe bombs, signs, sticks and flags, fire extinguishers and flagpoles all to be used as weapons.

     This is the obvious case. There will be an opportunity during the impeachment hearing to defend himself, if there is any defense for the above!!

M.J. Gray

Onslow, Iowa