Senate Republican says Washington Post suggested 'open rebellion' against US

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) announced Wednesday that he sent a letter to officials demanding answers to an op-ed published by The Washington Post that he said suggested “open rebellion” against the US.

Vance sent the letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a response to a Nov. 30 column written by Post contributing editor Robert Kagan that warned readers, “A Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable” and: “We have to stop pretending.”

“Based on my review of charging documents the Department of Justice has filed with the courts, I suspect that one or both of you could characterize this article as an invitation to 'insurrection,' a manifestation of 'conspiracy.' criminal or an attempt to provoke civil war,” Vance's letter said.

Kagan argued that former President Trump will be the Republican nominee for president, and Republicans who disapprove of her will fall in line.

“Votes are the currency of power in our system, and money follows, and with these measures, Trump is about to become much more powerful than he already is.” Kagan wrote.

Kagan argues that a second Trump presidency is likely and the path to dictatorship is possible.

In an announcement, Vance argued that Kagan's piece said another Trump presidency would justify succession, betrayal and political violence.

“According to Robert Kagan, the prospect of a second Donald Trump presidency is dire enough to warrant open rebellion against America, along with the political violence that would inevitably follow…” the announcement said Vance.

Vance asked Garland and Blinken to answer several questions by Jan. 6. He asked whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) would open an investigation into Kagan and whether the department agrees with the author that blue states like California and New York can “be free to outwit the federal government.” Vance asked how the DOJ distinguishes between heated political rhetoric and evidence of a conspiracy and whether Kagan's words could intimidate voters in the upcoming election.

The Hill has reached out to Vance for further comment on his letter.

According to a Post spokesman, the organization stands by Kagan's “thoughtful essays.”