I took a look at the Federal Code as it bears on recent and current efforts to destroy the government in the United States. I find that our democracy does, in fact, have the means to defend itself. All that is required is the ruthless enforcement of the law on all offenders.
§2383. Rebellion or insurrection
Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrectionagainst the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
§2383Is applicable to all who participated in any way in the Jan. 6 Rebellion.The small fry are being prosecuted, but there seems to be a reluctance to prosecute the big bugs, the politicians and their camp followers who instigated, abetted, and perpetuate the Rebellion.
§2384. Seditious conspiracy
If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
§2384 seems applicable to those who tried to interfere with the lawful transition of power, to those who conspired up to Jan. 6 as well as those who continue this conspiracy by promoting the Big Lie. Support for the Big Lie is not a mere difference of opinion. For some of Trump’s jihadists this may be due to invincible ignorance, but for more it is complicity in support of a pernicious falsehood that is in an attempt to hinder the lawful processes of government.
§2385. Advocating overthrow of Government
Whoever knowingly or willfully advocates, abets, advises, or teaches the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying the government of the United Statesor the government of any State, Territory, District or Possession thereof, or the government of any political subdivision therein, by force or violence … Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both, and shall be ineligible for employment by the United States or any department or agency thereof, for the five years next following his conviction.
§2385 is applicable to public figures, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, slap-stick politicians, et al., and to organizations like the various militias, clubs like the Proud Boys, and to politicians who lie to these people, encouraging their belief that they have a right and duty to rebel against the American government.