On January 6th, I watched with disgust, though not surprised, as the US Capitol became overrun by rioters, and those insurrectionists intent on achieving an overthrow of the government. Not all rioted; some just wanted to be there, and some peaceably protested. However, many engaged in acts of rioting and violence.
On this day, Congress had the constitutional duty to open the Certificates of Ascertainment, the official documents from each of the sister states to enter into the congressional journals as the final determiner of the presidential election of 2020. The rioters interrupted the count of electoral votes in the early afternoon, which reconvened around 8 PM after police agents cleared the building. As the Senate took cover, the certificates were secured.
Fortunately, the Senate and House worked together through the night and ultimately certified the election. But not without ridiculous objections, especially in the wake of all that had just happened. That notwithstanding, Biden and Harris will be inaugurated on January 20, 2021.
A Stark Revelation
Ironically, January the 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany. We celebrate the arrival of the wise men. We acknowledge God’s earthly manifestation in the birth of the Christ Child. Epiphany serves as the church’s season of making new discoveries and experiencing revelations. The undeniable revelation last week underscores how sick American democracy has become. We need to properly label what happened in order to address it with the full force and effect of the law.
Definitions
Insurrection:
An act or instance of rising in revolt, rebellion, or resistance against the civil authority or an established government.
Likewise, Trump engaged in inciting an insurrection. The crowd, especially those who entered the Capitol Building engaged in an insurrection against the USA.
Protest:
The expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid. Protest occurs through a peaceful redress of grievances or complaints.
What occurred on January 6th cannot be defined as merely a protest because it was not peaceful and actually resulted in the deaths of 5 people, the malicious destruction of government property, theft, and invasion of private workspaces.
Riot:
A noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons, as by a crowd acting against another group, a government policy, etc., in the streets…through disruption and tumult. (Synonyms include outbreak, brawl, fray, melee, uproar, fight, carouse)
Trump incited a riot. Not all present at the Capitol rioted, but many did, especially by breaking into the Capitol and committing vandalism.
Sedition:
Incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government.
Trump’s rally prior to the overrun of the Capitol Building by the attendees constituted sedition. He emboldened these supporters to march to the Capitol to stop a constitutionally mandated certification of the electoral college through a show of force.
Terrorism:
The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.
Trump and those who entered government property to halt constitutional business engaged in acts of domestic terrorism.
Treason:
The offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
Trump fomented treason against the US government and its citizens and residents.
Whatever noun the House chooses in its wording of the articles of impeachment, ample evidence will prove the allegations. My favorite is treason, the highest crime possible.
Insurrectionists: Loved by Trump yesterday and condemned today
After telling this same group of trespassing marauders that “they are loved and special” Wednesday afternoon, on Thursday, Trump condemned them. That’s because the outcry, debates, and discussions on the Hill and in the media have grown fast and furious.
Although sounding more presidential than perhaps he ever has, the 20,000+ lies Trump has told make anything that comes out of his mouth suspicious at best. He said what he should have said on November 7, 2020, when Biden-Harris were declared the winners of the election.
Trump has failed to address the nation other than through two recorded 2-minute remarks. He did not check on the well-being of his vice president, Mike Pence. Trump also delayed calling in the National Guard although he lied about this in his second recorded statement.
LIAR, LIAR, HIS PANTS REALLY ARE ON FIRE!
More concerning than anything else, after inciting his rally attendees yesterday morning to go to the capitol and take their country back, now he pretends to be surprised and postures to condemn it all. He is lying through his teeth. As he watched the mob overtake the Capitol, Trump was pleased. When aides pleaded with him to call off the onslaught, he complained, “But these are my people.” That means the rest of us don’t count in his eyes.
Trump lied once again because he is terrified he will be held accountable by removal through impeachment or the exercise of the 25th Amendment.
So, not to put too fine a point on all of this,
POTUS incited a mob to stop the Constitutional process for the peaceable transfer of power. People died. The Capitol was breached and damaged. The Electoral process became temporarily suspended until Capitol police secured the building. This could have been so much worse.
Impeachment (my preferred course of action)
It seems the House has enough time to present articles of impeachment, vote, and actually impeach Trump. The Senate is in recess, why, I don’t understand under the circumstances. However, impeachment provides a space where Republicans and Democrats can work together to hold Trump accountable for his outrageous behavior across 4 years.
The devastation from January 6th occurred because of Trump’s unbridled lying about the election. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Whip Clyburn plan to secure the impeachment and perhaps hold off on forwarding it to the Senate until Biden has an opportunity to address the pandemic and the flagging economy. The trial must occur once the articles of impeachment are presented to the Senate.
Galvanizing a divided Congress provides a critical bridge to working for the good of the country, especially in the immediate future. Hopefully, it would keep Trump focused on his defense versus doing something far worse.
Let’s bar Trump from ever holding office again!
Perhaps the happiest by-product of holding Trump accountable stems from a major remedy of impeachment. Were the Senate to convict, and growing sentiment in that chamber supports the probability of conviction, Trump cannot run for office in the future. What an excellent idea!
Invoking the 25th Amendment
VP Pence must catalyze the removal process under the 25th Amendment whether via the Cabinet or a panel by Congress. As of this writing, Speaker Pelosi and Leader McConnel have contacted VP Pence’s office to encourage him to begin the process. Pence has not spoken with the Cabinet at present. It’s doubtful that a majority would support this right now, but things could change quickly. Two secretaries in the Cabinet, Chao and DeVos, have already resigned. I’m sure this is a tactic to dilute the Cabinet majority so that they cannot form a quorum.
While invoking the 25th Amendment would be a quicker option than impeachment, Trump has a right to rebut his alleged incapacity or unfitness, and Congress must issue an override. This could get sticky as Trump and Pence spar over who is the president or interim president.
Accountability and healing, it’s not “either/or”
Arguments have been made that because we are so close to the end of Trump’s term, either action could further our profound division. I suppose that could happen, but frankly, I think the country is already quite divided.
As a nation, and for the sake of our future democracy, we will make a huge mistake by not finally holding Trump accountable. People call for us to heal as Americans. But my experience with human nature shows that healing requires accountability, and better to establish accountability before trying to heal.
Contact your representative and senators and demand accountability so that America can begin the healing process. Need to find contact info for your congressional rep and senators? Don’t wait another minute. Go to Common Cause to learn how you can take action now.
