American Versus American

Editor’s Note: Lou Correa is a businessman and politician who is the U.S. representative for California’s 46th congressional district, in Santa Ana. A Democrat, he previously served as a member of the California State Senate, representing the 34th district. Before his career in politics, Correa was an investment banker, a real estate broker and a college instructor.

The peaceful transition of power, from one president to another, is the hallmarks of American democracy.

When President-elect Donald Trump was certified as the new president, I was there. In January 2017, as a newly sworn-in freshman, I witnessed a historical event, namely the certification of the electoral college ballots.

I got to the Congressional House chamber early and took a seat next to the center hallway, where beautiful wooden boxes, with electoral college votes, were transported into the House chamber. To see folks carrying the wooden boxes, containing electoral college votes, was a true honor.

Four years later, Jan. 6, 2021, I was there again to witness the solemn ceremony, the certification of the electoral college ballots. This time it was for President-elect Joe Biden’s certification. This time, there were no “front-row seats.” Due to COVID-19 protocols, my colleagues and I were sent to the “second-floor gallery.”

Earlier that day, I’d walked across the Capitol lawns, walked among the sea of Trump supporters who completed their pilgrimage to the Trump rally. I saw a lot of energy, but no animosity.

Inside the Capitol, I watched the process unfold from above. The electoral college count went through its habitual certification alongside laughter in the gallery. Suddenly, Capitol Police charged into the chambers and “grabbed” Vice President Mike Pence, and the entire Democratic and Republican leadership team.

“Please don’t panic, all is under control … we are taking precautionary actions,” said the Capitol Police.  Above in the gallery, we looked at one another and immediately knew that there was a problem.

Then, the alarms went off. Tear gas began to permeate the chamber. We could only hear loud screams, blasts, and gun shots! Up in the gallery, two visibly shaken Capitol Police officers were shouting contradictory orders. We all moved the best we could, as fast as we could, to one side above the Republican chamber sitting area. I was helping a few of my colleagues make way.

I saw my colleagues, both Ds and Rs, visibly shaken, some in open panic. Some ran, some in tears. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw some of my colleagues on the floor, on their phones texting and calling loved ones. I got a call from my daughter back in California.  I told her, “I’m OK, tell all that I’m OK, love you gotta go,” and hung up.

My colleague Jason Crow (D-Co), a military veteran, suggested we take our congressional insignia pins off our coats. We did. We aided each other as much as possible. We were on our own.

Next to my position were gallery doors. I could hear a mob banging on the gallery doorway, trying to breech the doors and force their way in. Below me, I could see the main entrance of the chamber, barricaded with beautiful antique furniture, and three guards with their weapons drawn and pointed at the doors. I saw my colleague, Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) standing a few feet behind the guards, necktie off, ready to battle with his bare hands.  

We had nothing but our hands and fists. We were on our own. I mentally prepared to meet the first wave of invaders. I had one advantage; I knew the terrain. I had a few split seconds to “disable” one or two, maybe throw them off the balcony, and then be overrun. But I wasn’t going down without a fight.  

Later, a voice from behind the gallery doors next to me, from a Capitol Police officer, “Follow me quickly,” he instructed.  As I helped my colleagues exit down a corridor, I looked to my right and saw many individuals face down in the gallery hallways, while Capitol Police pointed A-4 (automatic weapons) at their backs.

 We were being led to a “safe room.” “Not me” I said. “I’m not getting trapped again.” Instead, one of my Republican colleagues and I decided to go help the Capitol Police in any way we could.

Hours later, and into the early hours of Jan. 7, as the electoral college vote certification resumed, I saw one of my female colleagues next to me. I had seen her earlier in the gallery on the floor texting/calling. I asked her what she’d been doing. She showed me the text that she had sent to her family, “Want you to know I’m here … love you … the last thing I will do tonight is stick this pen in someone’s neck … love you all.” I asked her what she’d done before coming to Congress. She said, “CIA.”

Jan. 6, 2021, I remember every day. I feel it. I saw an attempt to stop the peaceful transition of power from one president to another. I witnessed Americans defending our Capitol from a mob that carried the same flag that I pledge an alliance to every day. They entered the Capitol, looking to arrest and hang Vice President Pence and our congressional leaders. Their goal, to stop the certification of the presidential election.

Since 9/11/01, we’ve prepared ourselves against foreign enemies that seeks to harm our nation and fellow Americans around the world. Yet, 1/6/21 has awakened us to the fact that the real enemy is among us.  

It is now American versus American.  Never in my life that I imagine that I would, in those few moments, be emotionally preparing myself to fight and battle another American, that carried that same flag that I have sworn an oath to protect.  

Today, it is clear that January 6th is a symptom of something much worse, a cancer that eats at our nation’s soul, a divided nation that is losing trust and faith in our democratic electoral system. If we fail as a nation, it’s not because of a foreign attack. It’s because we have forgotten whom we are.

The greatest generation fought the Great War, won the war and came back and built the greatest nation ever. We inherited that great Nation.

As I return to Washington in 2022, I can’t help but think of the incredible responsibility we have, to restore faith in America, our Constitution, our democracy and our electoral system. Our children and grandchildren deserve to inherit a great nation, just as we all did.

God bless our great nation.