Ambassador Mondello: US democracy ‘should not be defined by these moments’


 

“[…] We know that our democracy has been tested in the past, and it will be tested in the future. Nevertheless, we should not be defined by these moments.

“Instead, we should be defined by how we bounce back…”

The following press statement on yesterday’s ‘unrest’ at the US Capitol Building, during the confirmation of president-elect Joe Biden, was submitted by Joseph Mondello, the United States ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago:

Photo: Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the US Capitol on Wednesday 6 January 2021, in Washington.
(Copyright AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

On 6 January, we watched with shock, sadness, and dismay the deadly scenes of unrest at the US Capitol Building in Washington DC. We saw individuals abuse their first amendment right to protest peacefully as afforded to them by our sacred US Constitution, threatening to obstruct the certification of electoral votes—while putting elected officials, federal employees, Capitol building staff, and law enforcement in harm’s way.


Thankfully, despite yesterday’s horrific events, the US Congress and vice-president Mike Pence dutifully fulfilled their constitutional responsibilities and certified the electoral votes to confirm that president-elect Joe Biden and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris will be the next president and vice president of the United States.  

It shows our determination to get democracy right and to achieve a more perfect union. It shows our resolve to display the true essence of who we are as Americans.  

We know that our democracy has been tested in the past, and it will be tested in the future. Nevertheless, we should not be defined by these moments.

Instead, we should be defined by how we bounce back. As so many of our friends, allies, and colleagues around the world have expressed in the wake of this incident, America is better than what we witnessed yesterday.

Photo: Supporters of US president Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, as Congress prepares to affirm president-elect Joe Biden’s victory on 6 January 2021.

We remain confident in, and fully supportive of, our work as the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago. The values we espouse in the promotion of democracy, security, human rights, good governance, trade and investment, and health remain as true as ever.  

Thank you to those who have supported us and sent their wishes of encouragement, resolve, and good faith in this difficult time. Brighter days are surely ahead.

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3 comments

  1. They keep saying this is not who we are, this is not us, but it is U.S., the United States.

  2. I call an urgent meeting of the OAS. Mr Almargoro. we the countries of OAS that want to over throw Maduro of Venezuela now also side with Donald Trump we do not recognize Biden as the incoming President and would like to put sanctions on the USA . With a show of hands how many members will vote for this motion. Canada, Colombia ,Jamaica, Haiti,Bahamas, Brazil, St Lucia El Salavador we will give you a moment to decide .HAHAHA.
    Ladies and Gentlement we would like warmly welcome the newest member to the great nations of the Banana Republics the USA. Later this month at Port au Prince Haiti will be official ceremony where the USA will receive the prestigious Golden Banana(Chiquita/Dole)award and also you will be inducted into the Cesspoll hall of fame ( some countries are shit holes but you all are the cesspoll that the shit from the shit holes wind up in).

  3. Since “America is better than what we witnessed yesterday”. What about removing the economic sanctions against Venezuela?

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