So, naturally, they are using whatever talking points they have at their disposal, which is why they continue to yammer on about how horrible J6 was. Daniel Hodges, a D.C. Metropolitan police officer who was present on that day, wrote an op-ed in which he recounted his experience sustaining injuries during the fracas and insisting once again that it was an insurrection orchestrated by none other than the Orange Man What Is Bad™.

However, just as with others on the left peddling the “insurrection” narrative, Hodges’ arguments fall apart quite easily.

In the piece, Hodges says he “never imagined” that he would “be one of a few dozen officers standing in between former President Donald Trump’s fascist dreams and American democracy.”

The line is so self-aggrandizing and dramatic that one might be rightly tempted to think Adam “Crybaby” Kinzinger wrote it for him.

The officer goes on to characterize the riot as an “attack on the Capitol, perpetuated by a mob commanded by Trump” and “an existential threat to both my city and my country at large.”

The author describes some of the violence he saw and experienced on that day and recounts his testimony given before lawmakers. He boasted about the part he played in helping Democrats use the 14^th Amendment to remove former Otero County, New Mexico, Commissioner Couy Griffin from office.

Then, he makes the ultimate claim: “It was clear the mob that Trump assembled and directed forcibly attempted to stop the peaceful transfer of power.”

There was nothing new in Hodges’ rant – it was the exact same empty talking points used ad nauseam by folks on the left and anti-Trump Republicans. Unfortunately for this crowd, the arguments haven’t gotten any stronger.

Let’s start with the depiction of J6 as a bona fide insurrection. The claim was always easily debunked, except for those who already wanted to believe it in the first place. The notion that right-wingers would plot an insurrection to topple the most powerful government on Earth using nothing but sticks and fists is laughable – especially considering that the federal government has been cautioning against the dangers of armed conservative domestic terrorists.

If this were truly intended to be an insurrection, there would have been no shortage of guns and people willing to use them. Yet, the only shot that was fired came from a Capitol police officer who killed an unarmed woman. Nevertheless, the same people who claim we don’t need guns because it wouldn’t do anything to stop our tyrannical government are the ones who want us to believe a group of MAGA folks punched their way into dominating the state.

Secondly, the footage clearly shows that most of those who were present on that day peacefully strolled around the building. These were not rioters but people who were caught up in the moment. They likely believed they were allowed to enter the building because police officers opened the doors and ushered them in. None of these people were dangerous, yet our so-called justice system has targeted them for punishment as if they were actual foreign invaders.

Lastly, Hodges’ assertion that Trump “assembled and directed” the mob is one of the most absurd claims he makes in the piece. There is absolutely no evidence that the former president orchestrated the attack or even co-signed it. In fact, during his speech leading up to the march to the Capitol building, he clearly told his followers to “peacefully and patriotically” protest at the scene. Why would someone tell people to do a peaceful and patriotic insurrection?

The reality is that the riot was a spontaneous occurrence, not some intricate plot cooked up in a smoke-filled room of undercover forces trying to overthrow the government while sipping bourbon. But, given the precarious political situation in which Democrats find themselves, it is no wonder they continue trying to squeeze the J6 fruit for all the juice it is worth.