Dear Congress,
Since the CIA concluded Russian interference occurred in the 2016 American election to help Trump, I’ve been on edge, consuming every bit of information relevant to this topic only. My Twitter has been nothing but John McCain’s interview on Face the Nation, Lindsey Graham’s abrasive tone of voice discussing opening an extensive investigation. My search history is fraught with repeated searches for new information on Trump’s press releases on the CIA statements, which always results in the same information: “I don’t believe they interfered…It could be Russia. And it could be China. And it could be some guy in his home in New Jersey,” he said in his Time’s Person of the Year interview.
I’d like to come forward and tell you I’m terrified of the silence. The CIA’s release statement on Friday, first covered by The Washington Post, and the responses it has garnered reveals a true disconnect in America’s respect for democracy and all-around political fairness, especially after an election openly riddled with deception and dishonesty on both sides.
Twitter had a lovely trend, #RussianHackers, going on Friday but it has since dwindled in the ranks to nothing; overshadowed by #TheWalkingDead and, the Monday favorite, #MondayMotivation, it is a scandal that could collect dust until after the intelligence community has finished an extensive review of cyber activity which is timed to be due before Trump is inaugurated; but, it will mean nothing if no one does anything about the pending review.
Congress, I don’t want another Watergate.
The 1970s groundbreaking investigation on President Richard Nixon was both too little and too late. Though beautifully executed and resulting in the American people saying adios to one of the most corrupt presidents since the country’s creation, Nixon was still in office long enough to create a real, tenacious effect on the lives of non-whites in America (i.e. The War on Drugs).
Yes, it is true President-elect Trump isn’t the President yet and that the scandal was announced before he even set foot inside the White House with the title, but it’s more than clear that he will become President whether or not the scandal withstands time.
However, I want Congress to uphold a sense of duty and discuss this corruption instead of ignoring it. When political groups caked in white supremacist ideals like the alt-right support Vladimir Putin’s agenda and, more unreassuring, his efforts to hack our election, our government has a job to protect America’s democratic integrity.
Congress, I don’t want a Watergate repeat.
