Bestselling author Elizabeth Graham has criticized former President Donald Trump for accusing Senator Mark Kelly of sedition, calling the allegations hypocritical given Trump's documented role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. In a recent Substack article, Graham referenced the official January 6 Report, which describes rioters "believing Mr. Trump's lie of a stolen election" as they stormed the Capitol building, beat police officers, and chanted "Hang Mike Pence." The report's introduction, written by eyewitness Luke Broadwater, notes the presence of a constructed gallows during the attack.
Graham contrasts these events with Trump's current accusations against Senator Kelly, whose background includes service as a decorated U.S. Navy pilot, NASA astronaut, and Arizona Senator focused on issues like gun safety and veterans' affairs. According to Wikipedia, Kelly flew combat missions in the Gulf War and commanded Space Shuttle missions before entering politics. Graham describes Kelly as a "national hero" similar to other military veterans, highlighting his public service record in response to Trump's allegations.
The author points to Trump's own history with military service, citing a Military Times article from February 27, 2019 that identifies Trump as a "five-time draft dodger." She references Politico reporting from June 28, 2024 that quotes Trump describing those who died in service as "losers and suckers," and a Threads post from August 29, 2024 where Trump allegedly commented that Arlington National Cemetery "was a waste and could have made a wonderful golf course." Graham argues these statements demonstrate Trump's lack of understanding of service and dedication to the country.
Graham's analysis extends to Trump's relationship with Russia, suggesting in her upcoming book 'Survival: Democracy's Struggle To Survive' that there exists "deep, dark, clandestine linkage between Trump and Putin" that has affected world politics since 2015. The book, scheduled for release in 2026, features contributions from authors including Craig Unger, Charlie Sykes, Steven Beschloss, David Adelman and Dr. Sanford Mayer, examining current political realities and global challenges.
Readers interested in Graham's perspective can find her full Substack article at https://substack.com/@elizabethgraham and her current book 'From Democracy To Democrazy: A Warning To All Americans' available at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elizabeth-Graham/author/B0CMY189NT?. Additional information is available through her website at https://democrazy2020.org/.
The implications of Graham's critique extend beyond political rhetoric to questions about accountability for the January 6 insurrection, where approximately 1,600 individuals were convicted with many charged with sedition. Graham notes that Trump pardoned 1,500 of these insurrectionists after being re-elected. Her analysis raises concerns about the normalization of accusations against public servants with distinguished records and the potential erosion of trust in democratic institutions when such allegations come from figures implicated in the events they condemn.
