We’re hearing the first calls to action, and they aren’t the guarded whispers that preceded Jan. 6, nor are they coming from the common crowd.

Led by the former president himself, Republicans are falling in line, promising revenge on Democrats to assuage Mr. Trump’s wounded ego at finally being caught — found guilty by a jury of his peers with the possibility of more to follow. Indeed, many high-ranking Trump supporters are currently under indictment for charges involving election interference.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump’s potential choices for VP are sounding their call for a peaceful transition of power in the coming election, but only if the election is fair and honest, they say, leaving ample space to cry “Rigged!,” as Mr. Trump did when he lost the first time around. Add to this the Republican outcry that the weaponization of the Justice Department has provided sufficient grounds for payback in the event of another Trump presidency. The anger is clear enough to establish the intent, even if the language remains somewhat hazy. Here is Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas not exactly saying it: “President Biden should just be ready because on Jan. 20 of next year, when he’s former President Joe Biden, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

John Forssen
Kennebunk