Sasse, in fiery editorial, says QAnon destroys GOP

In one fiery editorial for The Atlantic released Saturday, Sen. Ben sasseBen SasseSasse: Rioters on Capitol Hill ‘came dangerously close to triggering a bloody constitutional crisis’ McConnell set to listen to Trump on political power for the last time McConnell: Trump impeachment trial set to begin after Biden has taken the oath MORE (R-Neb.) Said the QAnon conspiracy theory is “destroying” the GOP and urged fellow Republicans to reject it.

Sasse’s editorial comes less than two weeks after a violent mob of President TrumpCIA chief threatened to resign for pushing to install Trump loyalist as MP: Azar report in departure letter says riot on Capitol Hill threatens to ‘tarnish’ administration achievements Justice Department Says Trump Should Get Trial Immunity For Rape Accusor MOREPolice supporters raped the U.S. Capitol which left five people dead, including a Capitol Hill policeman. Rioters stormed the Capitol with the intention of stopping congressional counting of the Electoral College vote that erupted for the president-elect Joe bidenJoe BidenAzar in departure letter says riot on Capitol Hill threatens to ‘tarnish’ administration’s accomplishments House Democrats introduce measures to oppose Trump’s bombshell to Saudis On The Money: Retail sales drop, latest sign of weakening economy | Fast food workers strike for minimum wage | US officials concerned about Mexico’s management of energy permits READ MORE, claiming that the election was fraudulent.

Many of the members photographed during the riots could be seen with references to “Q” or “QAnon” on their clothing, including a man wearing a horned helmet and face painting colloquially known as “QAnon Shaman”.

Believers in the theory allege, without evidence, that President Trump is working to “expose the capture of the US government by a global ring of cannibalistic pedophiles.” Several newly elected lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) Have been associated with the theory, although she later returned his support because of “misinformation”.

In Sasse Editorial, titled “QAnon Destroys GOP From Within,” Lawmaker Says Riots on Capitol Hill Were Not the Result of “A Few Bad Apples”, Rather a “Seed” in which Republicans have grown the party over time, including these theories.

Sasse mentioned that Officer Eugene Goodman, who was seen on video leading a crowd away from the Senate chamber during the riots, was being chased by a man wearing a shirt with the QAnon theory logo on it. The FBI said the man, identified as Douglas Jensen, “wanted his T-shirt to be seen on video so ‘Q’ could ‘get the credit’.”

“This is the bloom of a rotten seed that took root in the Republican Party some time ago and has been nurtured by betrayal, bad political judgment and cowardice,” Sasse wrote.

Sasse said that when Trump leaves office, the GOP has a choice of upholding the Constitution or “becoming a party of conspiracy theories.”

“When Trump leaves office, my party is faced with a choice: we can devote ourselves to defending the Constitution and perpetuating our best American institutions and traditions, or we can be a party of conspiracy theories, of fantasies. cable TV and the ruin that goes with them, ”he said. “

“We can be Eisenhower’s party, or the party of conspirator Alex Jones,” Sasse continued, referring to Jones, who is a conspiracy theorist.

Sasse also accused some of his Republican colleagues of “winking” at conspiracy theorists while continuing to “preach” the Constitution.

“Until last week, many party leaders and consultants thought they could preach the Constitution with a nod to QAnon. They can’t, ”Sasse wrote. “The GOP must reject conspiracy theories or be consumed by them. Now is the time to decide what this holiday is all about.

Sasse also criticized the House minority leader Kevin mccarthyKevin McCarthy GOP split over Liz Cheney’s future Democrats points out if Capitol rioters had inside help Pelosi suggests criminal charges for any lawmaker who aided the Capitol riot MORE (R-Calif.) For not disavowing Taylor Greene’s campaign and calling the freshman lawmaker “hi for Cocoa Puffs.”

“During his campaign, minority parliamentary leader Kevin McCarthy had a choice: disown his campaign and potentially lose a Republican seat, or welcome him into his caucus and try to stay the course on his ridiculous ideas. McCarthy failed the leadership test and sat on the sidelines, ”Sasse said.

Taylor Greene said this month that she plans to lay articles of impeachment against Biden the day after his inauguration.

Sasse acknowledged his plan, hitting the Republican of Georgia: “She will continue to ridicule herself, her constituents and the Republican Party, ”he said.

The Nebraska lawmaker concluded, stating that in order to play a “constructive role” in America’s future, the GOP must “repudiate the nonsense that set our party on fire” and “rebuild itself” by offering a “real answer to the frustrations of the past decade. ”

“In a stalemate between the Constitution and madness, the two men have chosen a side,” says Sasse. “It’s the GOP’s turn to do the same.”

The editorial comes as the Senate begins Trump’s impeachment trial this session.

The House impeached the president for the second time during his presidency this week, accusing the president of inciting the violent mob that attacked the Capitol. Ten Republicans as well as House Democrats voted to impeach the president.

Before the crowd stormed the building on January 6, Trump made remarks on the National Mall, telling his supporters he would never concede and encouraging the crowd to march to the Capitol and demand that Congress ends the certification of victory of the Electoral College of Biden.

Sasse spoke about the events that took place on Capitol Hill, issuing a statement this week urging Americans to consider the seriousness of the events on Capitol Hill.

In addition, he called on the efforts of fellow Republicans, including the senator. Josh hawleyJoshua (Josh) David Hawley Cruz and Cornyn to attend Biden inauguration Former McCaskill aides launch PAC seeking to thwart Hawley Former GOP congressman says quitting party: ‘It’s become a cult ” MORE (R-Mo.) To oppose the “really stupid” election results.