Impeachment

The most recent President of the United States conducted a full four year term in office breaking nearly every norm possible. In doing so he ruffled feathers and revolutionized how the public came to treat him, listen to him, and be guided – or not – by him. The press became leery of his moods, intentions, and stability. A majority of voters became alarmed at his unusual political statements and policy positions. 

At the end of his term, he claimed phony, fraudulent election shenanigans stole the office from him. He and his supporters claimed this to the bitter end without offering concrete proof. More than 50 lawsuits were filed in various jurisdictions around the country and the Supreme Court. Only one suit prevailed and that in a minor instance. The rest of the court actions ended in a solid rebuff of Trump and his minions. These antics came to be believed as stall tactics to cast doubt on the successor candidate’s election win.

All to no avail. Prior to election day, the President continued to cast doubt on the credibility of the election process. This tactic was designed to build doubt of the results but actually caused state election officials to strengthen their systems and watch them carefully for fraud and manipulation.

In the end, Trump lost by several million votes. Election results were counted and recounted and further tested for missteps. Nothing but credibility of the process and the results were found. Trump lost and Biden won.

During the final days of his term, however, Trump held rallies and gave speeches sparking an outpouring of support for him. Finally, on January 6^th, while the election results of the Electoral College were being reported, an ugly mob attacked the US Capitol Building. They smashed windows and doors, beat police, rioted, looted and caused violence which killed 7 people.

All of Trump’s actions and public statements were viewed as a call to action. What resulted was seditious and a threat to America’s democracy.

This is a serious matter and grounds for impeachment. The House of Representatives has voted such and delivered the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial purposes.

Although Trump is now out of office, the impeachment process was initiated during his term and voted on. The articles of impeachment were not delivered to the Senate to allow time for more preparation and notice to Trump to prepare for a Senate trial. The inauguration of the new President also occurred in this timeframe.

Why impeach a person not in office? Because the charges are simple and serious. Did he or did he not incite insurrection against the Federal Government as witnessed on January 6^th’s attack on the Capitol Building? If the trial produces a yes to that question, then not only is Trump impeached, but also found guilty as charged. That would jeopardize his ability to hold federal office in the future and reduce or eliminate some of his post-presidential perks. History will then present Trump’s service as a negative and behavior to avoid by future Presidents.

The current arguments against impeaching Trump are too late. He already has been impeached. Only action by the Senate as to guilt or innocence is missing. A political argument by a political party does not constitute a credible argument against the procedure.

With a new President sworn into office, we are moving forward. The election results are approved and final. The ex-President should have his day in the Senate's court. The new President should be supported in his efforts to manage the several crises the nation now faces, crises left behind by the loser of the election.

The time for facts and finding of fact in this important matter is now before us. Let it proceed as the Constitution provides.

January 26, 2021