To me anyway. And probably to the majority of Americans following the story.
It doesn't matter where one stands on the Jan. 6th riot at the capitol. I think the issue here is the conduct and actions of a police officer using deadly force and the decision of the DOJ to dismiss any criminal charges against him.
Officer Byrd claims he was doing his job. That he saved lives and countless jobs. What the hell is he talking about? There were police officers on both sides of that barricaded door. Some of them were directly behind Ashlii Babbet. He could have easily killed a fellow officer or a rioter by his reckless action.
No other police officer used their weapons in trying to subdue and control the rioters. They used courage and restraint as is expected. Drawing their weapons was the last resort.
The DOJ and Officer Byrd maintain that the shooting was justified. If we apply this same logic and assume every officer feels that way, there would have been dozens of rioters shot that day on Jan.6th or hundreds of fanatical looters and violent protestors during the summer riots that happened in Portland and other cities in 2020. But no. The police used extraordinary restraint and courage.
There were other officers with him on that side of the door. They could have restrained Ashlii. It's not like he was on his own defending against the hordes. The fact that this same officer showed lack of responsibility by leaving his service weapon in the restroom on one occasion and showed arrogance that nothing will happen because of it due to his rank and position shows a part of his character that should have drew a red flag.
And the DOJ exonerating him only fuels more distrust in everything associated with government.
I'd like to know how others on this forum feel about this subject. Please share what you think about Officer Byrd's actions and the DOJ's decision to pardon and condone his shooting of an unarmed rioter.
"And the DOJ exonerating him only fuels more distrust in everything associated with government."
No shit. The biggest threat to our health, safety, and welfare is the Democrat infested Federal government. It practices no oversight of Democrats
or RINOs operating in the Democrat Party's interests. But won't hesitate to destroy Americans.
I maintain that modern "progressive" Democrats are not Americans.
As much as I despise police, I resist "Monday morning quarter backing" them. That being said, I don't know if
Democrats are capable of impartial investigations of their members, especially when one of those members is of their
"protected class".
When I concealed carry in WA state. I took that responsibility seriously. I doubt that I would have pulled
my weapon out in the conditions those cops were in. But then again citizens carrying guns are held to
a higher standard than highly trained professional cops are. We are not allowed to make mistakes.