Suzanne Mettler and Robert C. Lieberman, both political scientists, submitted a statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. They argue that four historical threats to democracy—political polarization, conflict over who belongs, economic inequality, and executive aggrandizement—combined to fuel the attack. These threats have long been present in American history, but their convergence in 2021 marked a critical moment. Political polarization has grown significantly, with Americans increasingly sorting themselves into ideological groups, leading to a “us versus them” mentality. This has made compromise and negotiation difficult, and political leaders more willing to prioritize winning over governing. Conflict over who belongs has also been a persistent issue, particularly regarding race and immigration. In the 1890s, for example, Democrats in the South sought to exclude African Americans from full political participation, a pattern that has reemerged in recent years. Economic inequality has also risen, with the wealthy gaining disproportionate influence over politics. This has led to a concentration of power among the wealthy, who support politicians who prioritize their interests over democratic norms. Executive aggrandizement, the expansion of presidential power, has also been a threat, as seen in the 1970s when President Nixon used expanded executive powers to advance his agenda. The authors compare the 2021 attack to the 1898 coup in Wilmington, North Carolina, where Democrats used violence to suppress Black political participation. Both events were driven by a refusal to accept election outcomes, with political leaders using violence and manipulation to regain power. The 2021 attack, however, was more national in scope, with the president at the center of the effort to stay in power. To protect democracy, the authors recommend updating the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to clarify the role of Congress in certifying electoral votes and passing legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act to ensure fair and uniform ballot access. They emphasize that unless these measures are taken, the U.S. risks backsliding toward authoritarianism.Suzanne Mettler and Robert C. Lieberman, both political scientists, submitted a statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. They argue that four historical threats to democracy—political polarization, conflict over who belongs, economic inequality, and executive aggrandizement—combined to fuel the attack. These threats have long been present in American history, but their convergence in 2021 marked a critical moment. Political polarization has grown significantly, with Americans increasingly sorting themselves into ideological groups, leading to a “us versus them” mentality. This has made compromise and negotiation difficult, and political leaders more willing to prioritize winning over governing. Conflict over who belongs has also been a persistent issue, particularly regarding race and immigration. In the 1890s, for example, Democrats in the South sought to exclude African Americans from full political participation, a pattern that has reemerged in recent years. Economic inequality has also risen, with the wealthy gaining disproportionate influence over politics. This has led to a concentration of power among the wealthy, who support politicians who prioritize their interests over democratic norms. Executive aggrandizement, the expansion of presidential power, has also been a threat, as seen in the 1970s when President Nixon used expanded executive powers to advance his agenda. The authors compare the 2021 attack to the 1898 coup in Wilmington, North Carolina, where Democrats used violence to suppress Black political participation. Both events were driven by a refusal to accept election outcomes, with political leaders using violence and manipulation to regain power. The 2021 attack, however, was more national in scope, with the president at the center of the effort to stay in power. To protect democracy, the authors recommend updating the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to clarify the role of Congress in certifying electoral votes and passing legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act to ensure fair and uniform ballot access. They emphasize that unless these measures are taken, the U.S. risks backsliding toward authoritarianism.