Tim Heaphy, the lead investigator for the House Select Committee on January 6 and author of 'Harbingers,' dives into the complex narratives surrounding the Capitol attack. He discusses why some view rioters as patriots and examines the chilling effects of widespread apathy towards government. Heaphy also highlights the emotional toll on law enforcement, particularly following the insurrection, and underscores the critical need for civic engagement to safeguard American democracy against rising threats.
01:10:47
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Charlottesville Parallels
Tim Heaphy recalls watching the January 6th attack unfold from his office at UVA.
The violence immediately evoked memories of the Charlottesville riots, both sharing a disturbing familiarity.
insights INSIGHT
Shifting Narratives & Distrust
The shift in narrative around January 6th, from unified condemnation to downplaying its severity, is rooted in political maneuvering.
This shift underscores a growing distrust of institutions, where documented facts are questioned or dismissed.
insights INSIGHT
Apathy as a Threat
Public apathy, rather than outright anger, poses a significant threat to democracy.
Widespread disengagement empowers smaller, more vocal groups, undermining democratic processes.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Harbingers: What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal About Rising Threats to American Democracy
Timothy Heaphy
In this book, Timothy J. Heaphy shares his unique perspective as the lead investigator into both the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville and the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol. Heaphy details his investigative work, including analyzing hundreds of texts, emails, interviews, and other communications to understand the origins and consequences of these events. The book examines the failures of law enforcement, the role of disinformation and racism, and offers lessons on how to prevent similar episodes of political violence in the future. Heaphy's account is both a historical record and a call to action to preserve American democracy.
Why do so many see rioters as patriots? Has apathy become a bigger threat than violence? The lead investigator in the House Select Committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the Capitol, Tim Heaphy, joins Preet to discuss the evolving narrative around the insurrection, the push for pardons, and how distrust in government has eroded faith in public institutions. Heaphy is out with a new book, Harbingers: What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal About Rising Threats to American Democracy, an insider account of these seminal events and where we go from here.
Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on Threads, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.
Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.