The Only Way Forward for the GOP: Impeach and Remove Trump

“To go forward you must go back” – Quaithe, A Clash of Kings

America suffered a trauma on Wednesday, a trauma inflicted on its body politic. Democracy in America was attacked at its core, incited by a president who made it clear he has no concern for the republic, no concern for democracy, and no concern for the American people.

Within hours of the horrific attack, a majority of the Republican congressional caucus delivered a second, psychic blow to democracy by voting to overturn the election results. Republicans can argue amongst themselves all they like about how much they’re willing to “fight” supporters of the president without even attempting to criticize him by name. The rest of us will pay little to no attention to the waves of words without actions.

However, the Republicans do have an opportunity to begin the very, very long road back to respectability and trust, an opportunity handed to them – ironically enough – by the Democrats (Politico).

The House will vote Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week…

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team informed members on a private call Monday they will need to return to the Capitol — for many, the first time since the Jan. 6 attacks — on Tuesday night. Impeachment is scheduled for consideration at 9 a.m. Wednesday, if Trump refuses to resign and Vice President Mike Pence won’t initiate other procedures to remove him.

For Republicans who are truly looking to put Donald Trump in the party’s rear-view mirror, this is a heaven-sent gift.

The Democrats can impeach Trump by themselves, but removal from office requires Republican support in the Senate. A Republican Party that wishes to re-establish itself as defenders of democracy, of truth, and of the rule of law will quickly join with Democrats to make the removal of Trump from office a bipartisan and universal principle.

It should surprise no one to learn that they are already preparing to fail the test (Washington Post).

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) declared his opposition Monday to impeaching Trump, arguing that members of Congress should refrain from doing so for the sake of national unity.

I’m sorry, but I can not fathom how allowing the president to avoid any consequences for incitement to insurrection is “for the sake of national unity.” Senator Romney had the far better prescription (Congressional Record).

The best way we can show respect for the voters who are upset is by telling them the truth. That is the burden. That is the duty of leadership. The truth is that President-Elect Biden won the election, and President Trump lost.

That is the truth that so frightened Donald Trump that he preferred an insurrection to it. That is why he must be impeached and removed from office.

That is why the Republican Party must join the Democrats in doing so.

Already, a majority of Americans hold Trump responsible for the carnage at the Capitol; a majority of Americans want him removed from office; a majority of Americans believe the aforementioned Overturn It Caucus were undermining democracy (Quinnipiac). If the party follows McCarthy, the already deep stain of authoritarianism will be impossible to get out.

The only way forward – for the free world, for the nation, and for the Republican Party – is to impeach and remove Trump.

America is watching.