The reasons for yesterday’s criminal assault on our Congress and election process are many.  But foremost among them is the sad reality that President Trump and other officials have repeatedly compromised our principles in pursuit of partisan advantage and personal gain.

Those who engaged in disinformation and demagoguery in pursuit of self-interest abdicated their responsibility to the American people.  It was, in every sense of the phrase, a dereliction of duty.

The good news is that our institutions withstood this latest stress test.  We should celebrate the fact that all have a say in how we are governed.

It is time to educate ourselves about the gifts our republic bestows, recognize our republic requires continuous nurturing, bolster our democratic institutions and processes, and reject conspiracy theories and false narratives designed to polarize us and pit us against each other

We must demand more from our political parties and elected officials, and work together to restore our confidence, self respect, and respect for our fellow citizens.