Former President Donald Trump and his supporters continue to defend the actions of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Trump has called the individuals charged with storming the United States Capitol to stop the transfer of power “hostages†and “patriots.†He has said he will pardon the rioters “the first day we get into office.â€
As long as Trump and others continue to whitewash the horrors of that day, it will be necessary to review what really happened. The most recent reminder comes in a superseding federal indictment released this week against Kevin G. Moore, 51, of Logan, West Virginia.
Moore, along with associate and former Logan resident Bart Gore, 51, now of Dandridge, Tennessee, each face multiple charges in connection with Jan. 6. The superseding indictment contains transcripts of Facebook Messenger and text messages between Moore and Gore leading up to the 2021 attack on the Capitol.
Here are some examples:
On Nov. 4, 2020, Gore posted, “I know violence is a last resort, but controlled violence is very effective. I believe in our country and I believe in all of you that have a spine. There’s plenty of us out here. We just have to form a union of believers. It’s time for action.â€
On Dec. 12, 2020, Moore messaged Gore, “It’s past time people got to fight back.†Later in the same conversation, Gore stated, “I think we go for the head of the snake. The FBI, the CIA, Obama, Clinton, Barr, and anyone else.†Moore responded with a thumbs up.
On the same day, Gore messaged, “I’m so ready to kick the lungs loose in these mfers.†Moore responded, “They all need to go down.â€
On or about Dec. 21, 2020, Gore messaged Moore about attending the Jan. 6 rally. “I’d love to be the one to capture Obama or Hillary,†he said. “I’d strip them naked and beat them with a belt and switch. Then I’d rest and beat them some more.†Moore responded, “Me too it will be a beautiful day.â€
The following day, Gore texted a friend, “The only way to solve this is for all those crooks to be tried and convicted and executed.â€
On Jan. 2, 2021, Gore and Moore messaged about their trip to Washington for the rally. “Dude, do you realize we may be a huge part of history,†Gore said. “Just like in 1776. I want to do my part.â€
According to the indictment, the pair attended the “Stop the Steal†rally and then headed for the Capitol, where they joined with those who stormed the building. A week later, Gore messaged Moore that he wanted to go back. “I wasn’t satisfied. I would have been satisfied if they brought Nancy’s [Pelosi] head out on a stick.†Moore responded, “I think so [sic] of the people were looking for her.â€
Trump and others can try all they want to sanitize the events of that day, but facts are stubborn things. There will always be a debate about Trump’s role in Jan. 6. The initial federal indictment against him was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court, but special prosecutor Jack Smith has filed a superseding indictment.
That case will not come to trial before the election, but one day a jury might decide to what degree Trump attempted to subvert the election results and interrupt the certification of the election. In the meantime, the allegations against Bart Gore and Kevin G. Moore and the conversations between the two are chilling reminders of the true intent of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol.
