‘Patriots’ are undermining American democracy | Michael Harriot

The people who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January don't understand that nationalism is not the same as patriotism

There is a more accurate term than insurrectionists to describe the people who stormed the US Capitol building on 6 January, forever smearing the seat of the American republic with fear and fascism.

Although their activities inspired terror and were planned in part by members of white supremacist groups, they object to being labeled as terrorists" or white supremacists". Calling them rioters" doesn't quite capture the political motivations of the pro-authoritarian mob of Maga fanatics. Perhaps we should view them as historical re-enactors. After all, they were only recreating the effort to undermine democracy, freedom and the US constitution that has repeated itself for centuries. Yet, if you asked them, they would undoubtedly say they were patriots".