As Biden Seeks to Bolster Democracy Around the Globe, U.S. Confronts Jan. 6 Fallout at Home

President Joe Biden must acknowledge U.S. shortfalls on democracy, including the events surrounding the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, when he meets with world leaders this week to push for democratic reforms globally, former U.S. officials say.

Biden should denounce the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and acknowledge that the United States also has areas of weakness that must be strengthened, they say, in order to credibly lead the coalition of countries he is bringing together virtually with the intent of bolstering democracy around the world. The two-day summit comes amid increased concern about a military buildup of Russian troops along Ukraine’s border and a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics by the United States and other nations over human rights abuses.

...

For Biden to effectively unite democratic governments against Russia and China, he must emphasize that the events at the U.S. Capitol are not consistent with American ideals, experts say.

“That’s got to be the focus of the summit,” said Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security. “We’re not leading this because we’re perfect or that we don’t recognize the flaws at home, but rather because we see the challenges to democracy around the world, including at home, and that makes this an urgent task.”

Read the full story and more from McClatchy DC.