The Capitol riot is a godsend for America’s critics

FOR THE many regimes around the world that resent being lectured by America about human rights and democracy, the overrunning of the Capitol by rioters on January 6th at the instigation of President Donald Trump is the gift that keeps on giving. The State Department at first ordered its diplomats not to make any public comment “out of respect for the unacceptable events that occurred on January 6th”. This prompted dozens of them to draft a formal cable of dissent. The department’s staff have since been equipped with guidance on how to respond to awkward questions. The bromides include: the events “show once again that there is a right way and a wrong way for the citizens of a democracy to express themselves.”