MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In 1973, the country was transfixed by Senate hearings into the 1972 break-in of Democratic campaign headquarters at the Watergate building in Washington. I was a 20-year-old college student in ’73. And that summer, I worked at The Commercial Appeal as a copy clerk – a job that afforded me an up-close look at how the newspaper covered one of the most important political stories in American history.
While partisan politics dictated how a few members of Congress reacted to the scandal, in the end there was little doubt in the minds of most lawmakers and the public about the truth. Then President Richard Nixon was involved in a cover-up of the break-in and did indeed try to obstruct justice. Nixon eventually resigned rather than be removed from office.
Now, the country is again captivated by another congressional hearing – examining former President Donald Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. After just two days of hearings, the evidence seems abundantly clear that Trump deliberately tried to overturn the results of his 2020 election defeat – through lies, intimidation and finally by force – when his supporters stormed the Capitol.
The difference between now and 1973 is that today, the truth is being rejected by millions of Americans. But the truth is coming out. And the only question is, will Trump be held accountable. For America’s sake, let’s hope that he is.