1/9
Thomas Jefferson called his election the “Revolution of 1800.” Jefferson’s victory marked the first time that power in America passed from one party to another. Despite the use of the word “revolution,” that transfer, while steeped in bitter conflict, was peaceful. #velshi
2/9
John Adams seamlessly handed the presidency to his number one political rival, Thomas Jefferson, without incident. In his inaugural address, Jefferson, with an interest in national unity, declared, “Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.” #velshi
3/9
Thomas Jefferson had a way with words and knew the country needed healing: a stark contrast from what we heard and saw this week, when Trump, once again, refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. #velshi
4/9
You wouldn’t think something like this would be necessary, but on Tuesday, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution proclaiming support for a peaceful transfer of power. #velshi
5/9
This was 6 days after President Trump was asked if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power and responded, “Well, we’ll have to see.” What happened next in Congress is even more interesting to me: the resolution was adopted with a bipartisan 397 to 5 vote. #velshi
6/9
The opposing votes came from 5 Republicans: Louis Ghomert of TX, Matt Gaetz of FL, Clay Higgins of LA, Thomas Massie of KY and self-proclaimed “Western chauvinist” and accused racist Steve King of IA. #velshi
7/9
This all started when a reporter asked Trump, “Will you commit to a peaceful transfer of power?” The only two possible answers in a democracy are either “Yes” or “Hell yes.” #velshi
8/9
Similarly, when a bill simply reads: This chamber “reaffirms its commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States,” the only two possible responses are “Yes,” or for the traditionalists, “Aye’ or “Yea.” #velshi
9/9
For 220 years, we’ve been doing this. It’s America, and it’s what we do. Without equivocation. Trump was wrong to respond the way he did, and his response may provoke violence. Don’t follow him down a road of anti-democratic, authoritarian impulses. #velshi
You can follow @AliVelshi.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: