In a commentary headlined “Biden deserves credit for errors” (Sept. 12), the writer mocks our democracy by spreading lies — and once again, as usual, with no proof. Those of us who understand President Donald Trump and his allies were staging a coup on Jan. 6 have all heard Trump’s speech calling on his goons, his fellow domestic terrorists that included murderers of police members, neo Nazi groups such as Oath Keepers, to march on the Capitol.

No Democrat and no Republican in the House or Senate is responsible for the safety of the Capitol. The United States Capitol Police are responsible for protecting our Capital, are responsible for the day to day operations of the Capital Police — not the Democrats and not Pelosi. Supporters of trump have spread lies on social media in their attempts to divert blame from trump. Here is the official response to that lie, given by Bee Barnett, director of communications and programs for the U.S. Capital Historical Society:

“No one person oversees USCP — the oversight apparatus includes representation from the Architect of the Capitol, the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms, as well as committees from both Houses of Congress.” (https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-afs:Content:9909210228)

On the website page for the USCP this statement may be found: “The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is overseen by the Capitol Police Board and has Congressional oversight by appropriations and authorizing committees from the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. This oversight affords the Department the support and opportunity to continually ensure that the USCP meets the safety and security needs of the Congress, the staff, and the many visitors who come to the United States Capitol each day.” It goes on to list the Board and Congressional Committees that authorize appropriations and rules and administration for the force–including both democrats and republicans. (https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/oversight)

Following the attack by traitors and insurrectionists spurred by Trump, three security officials in positions of leadership controlling day to day workings of the security force resigned due to their serious mishandling of security. Congressional leaders including Pelosi exerted pressure that caused those resignations. Those resigning were Police Chief Steven Sund, Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger, and House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving.

Here is a report from Politifact, a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others: “There is no record of former President Donald Trump authorizing or requesting thousands of National Guard Troops for the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“Several Trump administration officials who have testified before the House select committee investigating Jan. 6 said they never heard Trump request National Guard support before or during the attack.

“Congressional Democrats did not deny a request for troops. The D.C. National Guard reports only to the president. If such a request had been made, they would not have had the authority to deny it.” [https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/aug/10/facebook-posts/no-proof-trump-asked-troops-jan-6-or-democrats-den]

There is a difference between an opinion and a lie. I think it is time the OBSERVER held its writers accountable for what they know to be lies and insist on evidence and sources of their facts. My sources are noted in my letter.

Diane Andrasik is a Dunkirk resident.