Trump now has more impeachments than any other president. Way more than Obama. He has the greatest and most tremendous impeachments. He is the impeachment winner.
Okay, I’ll get serious. What’s next is a trial.
You may have heard that McConnell says no trial until after January 20. Here’s my thoughts about that.
If McConnell did hold a trial immediately, I doubt it would result in Trump being removed much sooner. Trials take time. Clinton’s lasted a month, and Trump’s term ends on Wednesday at noon (Seems like years away, right?)
The underlying crime in this case is complicated and will take time to present. (Of course, Clinton’s trial was filled with annoying Republican grandstanding about how shocked they were—shocked, I tell you—at Clinton’s immoral behavior.)
These are different kinds of proceedings. Even if you could conclude the trial in a week, you wouldn’t actually be removing Trump any earlier than the end of his term. Moreover, rushing a trial seems silly. We need all the evidence presented.
It’s important to (1) secure a conviction and (2) make sure the public understands exactly what happened. A trial will have opening statements, witnesses, exhibits, etc. Trump is allowed to present a defense. It’s important that the trial is done right. It will be a good chance to educate the public.
All indications are that the story is much worse than we know (and what we know is horrific.) Investigations also take time. A week has the advantage of allowing investigators to assemble the evidence.
Rushing the trial only makes sense if you know you have the votes to convict. If Senators need to be persuaded, rushing is risky. The gain (if you COULD rush it and not risk an acquittal) obviously getting Trump out sooner is better.
I understand the desire for speed. Who the heck knows what he’s going to do, right? He could decide to lay low. Or he could try to steer the conversation to something else by issuing pardons. Or something else.
A big advantage to starting next week is that the Republicans won’t be running the show.
With McConnell no longer in charge, the GOP won’t be able to do things like vote to have no witnesses. (Remember that?) At first I was surprised that McConnell ducked the trial. I would have thought he would want control.
Most likely, yes. The whole thing is so toxic to the Republicans, McConnell might not want his fingerprints on it.
Some questions from my “Ask Teri” Tab:
Teri, Multiple choice, if you were in DC/politician, which route do you think is best?
a) censure
b) 25th amend (apparently off table now)
c) 14th amend
d) impeach
e) all of the above
–From Katie (Go bears! Cal class of ’94)
The best is to impeach and convict followed by a vote forbidding Trump from holding office again. The Fourteenth Amendment option needs to be explored. (If you wonder what I’m talking about, see yesterday’s Over the Cliff Notes.) Censure is weak, but better than nothing. Andrew Jackson was enraged and horrified when he was censured for making war in Florida without Congressional approval (when he was a general, before he was president). I think Trump would also be angry, particularly if the vote was bi-partisan, but the best option is to keep him from running again for office.
And go bears.
Questions or comments about the upcoming trial? Use this tab.
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