Jan. 6 insurrectionists seek protection from the Constitution they tried to destroy – The Arizona Republic

Its an irony those caught up in their alleged participation in the Jan. 6 insurrection either wont admit or, even sadder, dont even recognize.

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Trump supporters and members of Trumps inner circle are actively proclaiming their love and appreciation for the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the one that protects individuals from having to testify if they believe what they have to say might incriminate them.

Its a shame that many of them didnt show the same love and appreciation for the other nine amendments in the Bill of Rights, or the other 17amendments to the Constitution, or the original seven articles, or the lovely preamble.

But, that is the irony of the Jan. 6 insurrection, something that those caught up in their alleged participation either wont admit or, even sadder, dont even recognize. Its coming out more and more as the House committee investigating the events of Jan. 6 issuesmore subpoenas to potential witnesses.

We live in a country where those suspected of attempting to destroy our Constitution have the ability to seek and receive the protections afforded there.

This is why America is great.

I wonder if any of those who stormed the Capitol in January, or any of those who attempted to overturn the results of the election, understand that.

I doubt it.

And even if they did, I doubt theyd admit it.

Theyd invoke their right to ignorance.

Most recently it has been former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark and lawyer and Trump confidant John Eastman who have said they will take the Fifth.

Trumps longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone also announced that he would be invoking his right against self-incrimination.

There already have been many others, and there most likely will be more to come.

The attack on the capital left a police officer and four others dead.

The attacks on the Constitution also included attempts by elected officials to overturn the election. Arizona Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar and Debbie Lesko voted to decertify results from Arizona and Pennsylvania. Arizona Rep. David Schweikert voted to decertify Pennsylvanias.

What would they say under oath about their behavior in the dark days leading up to the insurrection?

Or would some of them also seek refuge under the blanket of protection provided by the Constitution?

And what about Trump himself?

It doesnt seem that many of his friends or followers share the former presidents opinion of the Fifth Amendment.

He said of it, You see the mob takes the Fifth. If youre innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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Jan. 6 insurrectionists seek protection from the Constitution they tried to destroy - The Arizona Republic