Corky,
I'm convinced that if it hadn't been for COVID and the sudden, widespread use of mail-in ballots rolled out through inconsistent and largely untested procedures and processes, we wouldn't have seen the Capitol break-in. The voting changes created massive doubt and suspicion.
It was a perfect storm. There was pandemic panic, rushed election processes, and a public on edge. But it wasn't a planned coup. If someone genuinely thought that stealing Nancy Pelosi's gavel or kicking their feet up on her desk would somehow transfer power, they clearly mistook Congress for a game of capture the flag.
Yes, some will say it was planned by groups like the Proud Boys or Oath Keepers, and sure a few came looking for trouble. But a handful of extremists with radios and zip ties doesn't equal a coordinated takeover. A real coup requires military backing, and a plan to actually hold onto power and not a bunch of face-painted livestreamers wandering between the velvet ropes.
Most of them were just angry, directionless, and caught up in the moment. It was chaotic, reckless, and a mistake, But calling it an orchestrated overthrow gives it far more credit than it deserves.
Truth,
No BS deflecting like so many are good for.