Via The Hill: Hope Hicks to aide on Jan. 6: ‘We all look like domestic terrorists now’
Former White House aide Hope Hicks told a fellow aide in text messages during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that “we all look like domestic terrorists now” as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
Texts released by the House select committee investigating that day show Hicks texting with Julie Radford, former chief of staff to Ivanka Trump, as the violence unfolded.
“In one day he ended every future opportunity that doesn’t include speaking engagements at the local proud boys chapter,” Hicks said, apparently referring to former President Trump.
Radford responded, “Yup,” seemingly agreeing.
“And all of us that didn’t have jobs lined up will be perpetually unemployed,” Hicks said, also saying she was “so mad and upset,” adding, “We all look like domestic terrorists now.”
“Oh yes I’ve been crying for an hour,” Radford replied.
First, yes, the January 6th insurrection did make the Trump administration look like “domestic terrorists” or, at least, domestic terrorist enablers.
Second, what is really telling about this text exchange is that in the moment, they all understood what was going on and how bad it was. Just like Mitch McConnell knew and Kevin McCarthy knew (and why Josh Hawley felt the need to run for cover). That most of them fell silent or took up residence in rationalizationville doesn’t erase their honest, first reactions.
Third, being associated with an insurrection-encouraging, democracy-damaging president rather properly should lead to difficulty in securing employment, especially in anything near or even adjacent to governing.
