On Jan. 26, Attorney General Philip J. Weiser met virtually with the Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, Fredrick Mayer, to discuss political divisions in the U.S. and how we can move forward to repair government institutions. 

The main focus of the discussion centered on the new goals of American democracy after the attack on the Capitol in early January. The act of domestic terrorism was condemned in a letter signed by 50 state and territorial attorneys general, a course of action led by Weiser.

The Korbel presentation began with Weiser outlining the figurative viruses attacking U.S. politics. America faces harmful rhetoric, private interests, dark influences on our elections and the loss of reliable truth. According to Weiser, these negative influences led to the major pitfalls of 2020, such as polarization and widespread doubt in presidential election results. 

Weiser offered several possible solutions to combat these corrosive obstacles: truth, accountability, empathy and collaboration.

He emphasized that an agreed-upon source of facts is an essential piece to the retention of democracy. He claimed that uncertainty surrounding the truth widens political divides and encourages violence. It was doubt in the vote collection that fueled the insurrection at the Capitol, and this was caused by Republican congressmen fanning the flames of uncertainty. Even America’s once reliable news sources have been soured through baseless accusations of bias. 

Accountability comes up in talks of the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Several political figures have made points on why it would be easier to let his influence on the actions of the American public go, stating that since he has already left office, further congressional involvement would incite unnecessary partisan arguments during a time when Biden must unite the nation. 

However, Weiser argued that the upcoming trial is instead an “opportunity for a reckoning with the truth.” From his point of view, it is the responsibility of the judicial system to correct the wrongs that have been made and demonstrate that illegal actions have consequences. he expressed concern that neglecting the rule of law may incite more chaos than the trial itself.

Weiser used the switch of a few Colorado counties to red in the 2016 election as his example of the failure of the Democratic party in rural areas. Rural counties across the nation voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 because they felt that their problems were not being prioritized by Democratic candidates. As polarization grew, this sense of abandonment only increased in the four years of Trump’s presidency.

Weiser encouraged representatives of all parties to visit rural areas and make a commitment to work with them on the issues they are most concerned about. He recommended that once elected, Democratic candidates stay accountable to all of the Americans they represent and empathetic toward those who walk different paths. 

Only when people of differing ideologies feel accurately represented by politicians on both sides of the political spectrum, may America start to close the gaping separation between our two parties, according to Weiser.

Weiser asserted that in order to avoid the gridlock that plagued the last few years of restricted policy-making, Congress members of all ideologies must embrace an attitude of civility and compromise with the new administration. And not only will collaboration increase the amount of policy passed by our government, but this influx in legislation will also decrease the cynicism towards the value of our government as well.