Trump Impeached Again

This time, there were no witness interviews, no hearings, no committee debates and no real additional fact finding beyond the public record and the plain facts of the brutal attack and Mr. Trump’s words.

I won't provide an in depth discussion here but think the House Judiciary Committee Report (some love to Nadler, who was wrongly belittled last time over Schiff) provides a good summary. The ultimate votes were comparable number-wise, basically the seats the Democrats lost balanced off this time with ten Republicans joining (including Liz Cheney, who has a high position in the caucus). Four did not vote. All Democrats (three in some fashion did not join in either or last time) voted to impeach.

I saw one law professor very concerned about the trend of the debate including not enough focus on the Georgia call. We can't focus on minutiae in that fashion. The actions on 1/6, a good basic summary provided in the report, is obviously what is most blatant. Plus, the impeachment count itself covers that. A single phone call, which the report underlines isn't even the only thing he did regarding Georgia, is not the money shot here.

Also, immediate action is appropriate. If anything, I rather they have started last week, but government is often about delay. So, we delayed for the weekend, starting the process on Monday. Tuesday provided a chance to formally ask Pence and the Cabinet to use the 25A (Pence said "no" before the vote, mixing somewhat credible with partisan shots) with only one Republican going along with that. It is fine to put that on the record. This set up the impeachment vote the next day.

McConnell won't bring the Senate back early to basically give Democrats a shot to ask for a quickie conviction. So, basically, we will have to worry about what Trump will do for another week or so. I question, though sure go ahead and look into it, if any actions can retroactively be blocked via the 14th Amendment insurrection provision. But, with the Democrats soon to be in control of the Senate, and the different situation as a whole (not sure how much that would have affected things, but it might have even with Republican control), an actual full trial is possible.

I think more could have been included last time in both an "impeachment investigation" and the counts specifically. It still bothers me. But, this time the count to me is okay. Could you have a second count tied to the Georgia call, basically a catchall perhaps for all the election related stuff since the election? Sure. Still, I think this way factors that in too while focusing thing on what everyone really cares the most about. It is not ignored. The trial can and should address it. But, this is fine for me.

There is a long way ahead, including trying to investigate just what happened. The early returns are very troubling. This includes this quick look at multiple actors, inside and out of Congress, who helped incite the rioters. It include at least acts of negligence by members that should factor in when censure, fines (including for refusing to follow new rules involving metal detectors) and yes even expulsion votes. I doubt there is a supermajority to do that, but it should be on the record. People and businesses already are starting to strongly distant themselves from those involved, including with serious financial penalties. Just moving on, even if Biden rather it be so, cannot be the watchword.

Also, ultimately, we must focus on promoting policy and alternatives means of government. The majorities might be thin, but the cause is just and wind on our backs.