Conservative radio host Erick Erickson is no stranger to controversy, but his recent comments denying the January 6th attack on the Capitol was an insurrection landed him in hot water once again.
After dismissing the violent riot as not rising to the level of insurrection, the right-wing pundit got dragged on social media for contradicting his past statements, calling it exactly that.
Erickson’s Backtrack After Fiery Rhetoric
Right-wing pundit Erick Erickson ended up with an egg on his face after claiming on social media that the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, wasn’t an insurrection.
Numerous people pointed out that Erickson had called the events an insurrection in the aftermath and blamed then-President Trump.
Where It All Started
Erickson’s revisionism began after he reacted to legal journalist Jeffrey Toobin’s tweet noting Justice Clarence Thomas was “minimizing the severity of the 1/6 insurrection.”
Erickson insisted “there was no insurrection” and called it a “left/media talking point.” However, Erickson’s claims contradict his fiery rhetoric from January 2021 when he called January 6 “a dark day in America” and an “assault on democracy.”
Social Media Mockery and Calls for Accountability
Erickson’s flip-flop led to mockery on social media, with many calling him out for gaslighting and rewriting history.
Some argued Erickson’s initial stance was the correct one, and his revisionism showed his partisan biases. Others pointed out that the footage and photos from January 6 clearly showed an insurrection, not just a mere “riot.”
Twitter Users Provide Receipts of His Previous Comments
Erickson’s claim that there was “no insurrection” on January 6 was swiftly contradicted by people on social media pulling up his own words from the day after the attack.
On January 7, 2021, Erickson tweeted that what occurred was “an insurrection” and even went so far as to say that Trump was “responsible” for what happened.
An Attempt to Rewrite History
Many were stunned by Erickson’s attempt to rewrite history and categorize the deadly riot as something other than an insurrection, especially given his forceful statements immediately following the events.
Several people shared screenshots and links to Erickson’s January 7 tweets to highlight the inconsistency in his claims.
A Habit of Revisionist History
Erickson appears to frequently engage in revisionist history, changing his stance to suit his current political arguments.
While Erickson may wish he hadn’t been so loud in calling January 6 an “insurrection” and blaming Trump at the time, his words are hard to erase – and continue to undermine his latest attempts at narrative creation.
The January 6 Attack on the Capitol Was an Insurrection
The evidence is clear that the events of January 6 fit the definition of an insurrection: “a violent uprising against an authority or government.”
The rioters sought to overturn the results of a free and fair election, violently storming the Capitol building, injuring police officers, and chanting “Hang Mike Pence.”
Erickson’s Views Reflect on The Happening of Right-Wing Media
Numerous hosts and commentators have downplayed the attack, spread misinformation about who was responsible, and attempted to cast blame on everyone from Antifa to the FBI.
While some Republican politicians continue to recognize January 6 for what it was, an alarming number have followed the lead of pundits like Erickson in whitewashing the events of that day.
This Isn’t Erickson’s First Hot Take Gone Wrong
Last September, in a bizarre attempt to criticize Democrats, Erickson compared outrage over Senator John Fetterman’s casual dress to anger about the Capitol riot.
The absurd false equivalence made Erickson a laughing stock, showing how far he’s willing to go to lambast political opponents.
A Self-Appointed Intellectual Amongst Conservatives
Erickson fancies himself an intellectual in conservative circles but, time and again shows a tendency to prioritize bombast over accuracy.
For someone who positions himself as a thought leader, Erickson shows a glaring lack of care for consistency or truth. The radio host may wish to reflect on why his attempts at punditry so often end in humiliation. His readers seem to have longer memories than he does.
A Dark Day in America
The events of January 6, 2021, sent shockwaves through the nation as supporters of former President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.
The symbols of democracy under siege by a violent mob seeking to overturn the will of voters were scenes more reminiscent of a banana republic than the bastion of democracy America has long seen itself as.
Why Downplaying January 6 Is Problematic
Downplaying the severity of the Capitol insurrection is deeply problematic for several reasons. Referring to these events as anything less than an insurrection also spreads misinformation.
The facts clearly show that this was a coordinated attack, not just an unruly protest that got out of hand. Continuing to spread lies about January 6 will further divide the country and damage trust in democratic institutions.
Accountability is Necessary to Prevent Future Attacks
Accountability is critical to preventing future attacks. Downplaying the insurrection makes it less likely that the perpetrators will face consequences for their actions.
Without consequences, it signals to extremists that violence and illegal activity are acceptable ways to pursue political goals.
Erickson’s Social Media Amnesia
Erickson’s social media amnesia about the insurrection shows how some pundits will twist the facts to suit whatever argument is convenient at the moment.
The receipts don’t lie – Erickson clearly called the events of January 6 an insurrection soon after they happened. Now, he wants to rewrite history to defend Justice Thomas. But the internet never forgets.
