Ray Buursma: What should we call Trump supporters?

Yes, Trump committed treason

The Jan. 6 hearings are completed (maybe). Anyone with a smattering of gray matter between the ears recognizes Donald Trump did the following:

1. Rejected the results of a legitimate election.

2. Made illegal, immoral and unethical attempts to maintain his presidency.

3. Gathered supporters for a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021.

4. Encouraged those supporters to preempt the proceedings which would announce the next president.

5. Took no sincere action for three hours to end an attempted insurrection at the Capitol, but instead attempted to contact senators so they would halt constitutional proceedings.

6. Chose to sacrifice the well being and even the life of Vice President Pence, if necessary, so Pence would not declare Biden to be America’s next president.

None of this is new, and we need not rehash specifics of Trump’s misbehavior. His offenses have been presented over and over, culminating with the last bipartisan Congressional hearing less than two weeks ago.

What of those who still support Trump?

Today we address not Trump, but those who still back him. Let’s start by defining two terms.

Treason is attempting to overthrow a nation’s government.

A traitor is a person who commits treason.

Based on these definitions and his actions above, Trump is clearly a traitor, but what of the tens of millions who still condone him? What do we call those who committed no overt treasonous act but still stand behind the orchestrator of Jan. 6?

Well, what do we call one who condones a wife beater, a child molester, or a thief? He is not guilty of a crime, but is he an enabler? A facilitator? A booster? An ally? He certainly is reprehensible, but for now, let’s call him a “supporter.”

Trump supporters come in two types. Some blatantly and overtly endorse the usurper. They still wear MAGA hats, fly Trump flags and display his yard signs and bumper stickers.

Others are closet supporters. They side with Trump but seldom announce their backing, for doing so would appear morally awkward. They are like KKK supporters who do not don pointy white hoods, but still urge their buddies to “Have fun at the cross burning and lynching!” When asked to justify their approval for Trump, most say, “I don’t like Trump, but I like his policies.”

“Liking policies” might cover a few sins, but ”liking policies” can never, ever justify an attempter insurrection or coup, and Trump did nothing less. Atonement is impossible without repentance, and Trump, clearly, is unrepentant. There is no way around this.  Remaining a Trump supporter makes one vile to America, vile to the Constitution, and vile to American values.

Jesus, in Matthew 5: 27-28, stated he who lusts after a woman has already committed adultery in his heart. That being so, why should those who condone the traitorous leader of an insurrection not be called traitors?

Calling out a local traitor

We can easily unmask Congressman Bill Huizenga as a turncoat with a few simple questions.

Congressman, do you dispute Trump took the six actions listed above? If no, please explain.

Second, do you consider those actions treasonous? If no, please explain.

Third, do you still support Trump? If so, please explain.

I’ll go one step further.

Congressman, I accuse you of treason to America by supporting and condoning the actions of Donald Trump on and around Jan. 6, 2021. Here is the evidence.

First, you voted to not impeach Trump for his failed coup attempt. Second, in March of this year, you stated you were “honored” to receive Trump’s endorsement. Third, you mailed to residents of Michigan’s 4th congressional district a reelection brochure showing you and Trump posing together.

Congressman, explain how you are not a traitor to America.  Or will your cowardly silence speak for itself?

One more thing

The traitors who attacked the Capitol carried hundreds of flags and banners. Among these streamers were a Christian flag and banners invoking God. This display was an abomination.

To date, I have not witnessed a single Christian leader, or layman for that matter, repudiate the use of the Christian flag during that ungodly attack. Since no one else has offered condemnation, I do.

I, as a follower of Christ, hereby denounce those who, in person or spirit, carried the flag of the Christian church into last year’s attack on the Capitol. I also denounce any who still support that action.

The Christian flag, like Christ himself, represents love, compassion and integrity. Its presence and use during the insurrection are antithetical to Christ and his church.

May God forgive his church for its silence.

— Community Columnist Ray Buursma is a resident of Holland. Contact him at writetoraybuursma@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ray Buursma: What should we call Trump supporters?