Columnist Dave Baumeister asks whether removing Trump from office is really the best option. I say, heck yes! Dave says…
GREETINGS BLOGOPHILES!
In the Tuesday, Jan. 12, issue of that Sioux Falls paper, ace reporter Joe Sneve did a quick interview with former Senator Tom Daschle concerning his thoughts on impeachment.
Like the wise and practical Senator he was, Daschle took the common sense approach to the argument, as opposed to what would have been popular with current member of the Democratic party.
Now, I point out the Democrats, but there are a good number of Republicans who are also thinking favorably toward impeachment at this point. And there are also some Republicans in the Senate leaning toward conviction.
To be fair, Sen. Daschle and I didn’t have our lives threatened in the Capitol on Jan. 6, and those who did may have a different opinion about what should be done.
And while I am not a court, personally, I’d say Trump is definitely guilty of an impeachable offense for inciting an insurrection on the United States of America, which he swore an oath to protect.
And if this had happened several months ago, I believe both Sen. Daschle and I would have a different view, but with the timing of Trump’s last few days in office, we have to ask, “What’s the point?”
Is the point to cement Trump’s legacy as the only President to be impeached twice? I strongly feel that his legacy as the worst President in American history is already set in stone.
Is the point to keep him from running again? Despite what you may have read on Internet memes, just because a person is impeached doesn’t mean that person can no longer run for public office.
The Senate won’t even be back from recess until January 19, so the timing to get Trump convicted for impeachment is just not there.
Even if the 25th Amendment were invoked, Trump can still fight it, which would push it past the inauguration, thus rendering its enaction moot.
A Senate impeachment trial could keep going into the Biden Administration, but why?
Even if Trump were found guilty by 67 Senators, all that would happen is that he would be removed from an office he no longer held.
Being convicted of an impeachable offense does not bring any jail time. Since the U.S. Senate is not a court of law, there are no legal ramifications of a trial there.
Like Sen. Daschle said, “It’s important for us now to rebuild our democracy and focus on important questions involving governance.”
In other words, we need to look to the future.
When Joe Biden takes the Oath of Office at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 20, I am hoping never to hear or write about Donald Trump again.
Again, had Sen. Daschle or I been in the Capitol on Jan. 6, we might have a different opinion on what actions should be taken, but, sometimes, the most punitive solution is not always the best.
Trump is going to want to keep himself in the public eye as long as possible, and an impeachment would keep him there much longer than President Biden would like.
However, whatever happens, it doesn’t mean that those of us in the media have to give him the means to stay relevant.
The worst thing a narcissist like Trump could ever experience is to be ignored.
I, for one, plan to give him just what he doesn’t want, and instead spend my time writing about those, like some of South Dakota’s major elected officials, who have gotten where they are on Trump’s coattails and, even now, have continued, against all reason, to enable him and spread his lies.
What did Daschle say?!
You know when I went back to school at USD to get my graduate degree in sculpture, I was holding my boy over my head at the Dakota day parade and Daschle came walking by, he was running for the Senate, first time. For some reason he engaged me in a conversation for over five minutes, while an aide kept trying to move him along. I voted for him but I always wondered if the aide had it correct. Nice guys finish last, thank God they impeached Trump again.
Mr. Anderson, I love that you have a graduate degree in sculpture.
Mark Anderson, do you think Sen. Daschle was wrong for engaging you, one of his constituents, in conversation? It’s sad you don’t value what you have to say more. Daschle obviously thought you had something good to say. The first time I met him is when he came to our front door in Yankton when he was campaigning for the House of Representatives in 1978. As I have had many conversations with him over the years, I don’t exactly remember how long that one lasted, but from then on, I would always be impressed by that man.
I sort of agree. Impeach him and then IGNORE him. If he’s convicted, does he not lose his perks, security detail, pension, etc? To not provide a consequence is like allowing the bank president who embezzled $1M keep it and not prosecute because he is going to retire on Friday anyhow and won’t be hired by another bank. No, just NO MORE Republican, “Now we all just have to get along.”
Yes, Loren, IF he is convicted he will lose his perks. And if I knew for sure he would be convicted, I would have tempered my comments. However, when I originally sent this to Cory, I had no reason to believe he would. Today, though, there seems to be more of a possibility of a conviction, although 17 votes in the Senate is still a stretch. Whatever happens, only the future will tell us if impeachment and a trial will bring positive results. I have just never been much of a gambler, so when I wrote my op-ed. I thought it best to look at the opposite of popular sentiments on this blog. As a good debater, Cory can tell you that for good argumentation people always need to look at both sides of any issue.
Sorry Mr. Baumeister, trump needs his arse impeached and convicted. You cannot direct an attack on government and not be punished without a conviction. If you don’t impeach and convict, then you must release all the prisoners in Gitmo for doing the same thing
I have no positive opinion of the GOP et al. if being a sycophant to a demagogic dirt-bag is a desired position for some, who am I to say?
I believe the blood is on the hands of the Republican senators because we would not have been in this situation if they would have at least made the effort to investigate the first time. They also have allowed the lies and conspiracy theories be continue. They ignored the country for the benefit of a political party and a man.
There has to be consequences for what Trump did. Impeachment in itself is not much of a consequence. Conviction takes away retirement perks and he goes down in history as the only president to be impeached (twice) and convicted. And take away his ability to hold public office again. There will be on-the-ground perpetrators who will probably spend time in prison for what they did, but not the mastermind of the insurrection itself.
And they say conviction will be divisive. Give me a break. The whole Trump strategy has been to divide because he and his minions knew that was his only chance. He does not deserve to get away with this. Don’t take the “divisive” bait.
Unite behind the 80 million that voted for Joe Biden.
Impeachment is a remedy designed to inform the public that the people they elect as public officials will face severe consequences in addition to, or other than, applicable criminal or civil penalties, if they violate their oath of office. Impeachment is extremely important to remind the public that public officials are accountable; here to make it crystal clear that encouraging insurrections is not acceptable and will have extreme negative consequences. Even without a Senate conviction, impeachment alone constitutes the most severe public censure available out side the judiciary. The public condemnation of an official by the people’s House of Representatives is a badge of shame and infamy.
A decision to impeach should have little or nothing to do with the odious personal characteristics of an individual like Trump, rather it serves the purpose of providing an extreme public sanction for activities by any public official that are determined by the House of Representatives to have violated the oath of office. To ignore such behavior based on the belief that the Senate will not convict completely misses the whole point of an impeachment. It is a political scarlett letter “I,” much like Hester Prynne’s scarlett “A,” designed to make it clear to the public that anyone chosen to hold public office who is caught violating the oath of office will be met with public condemnation.
While a conviction and sanctions following the impeachment will increase the penalty, impeachment alone is an important public sanction designed to clarify to the public that misbehavior by a public officials is not acceptable and carries consequences.
I want him convicted by the Senate and the 14th Amendment invoked.
I want to see his taxes and then have him jailed for the rest of his life pitiful life.
I don’t want to see his face or ever hear his name again.
We all knew who Donald Grump was before he ran unvetted for office.
And if anyone was listening during the Kavanaugh hearing, sexual misconduct was really the focus.
Most women I know are repulsed by these types of men.
Unfortunately, some women I know were gang raped in small towns in South Dakota, especially rampant in the 70’s.
For five years, I’ve watched the Overton Window expand to the point of no return.
And although I’m proud to be an American and a Christian, thanks to Trump, there is no longer a clear cut definition of what those are anymore.
I believe the gates of hell have been opened by Trump for giving thugs like QANON national recognition and that he was preparing for a real civil war that is still fueled by Limbaugh, Hannity, and Fox News.
I miss my brothers who no longer communicate with me because I don’t adore Trump like they do.
I miss my friends, relatives, and neighbors who see themselves as victims and will always fly the Trump flag because he is their Chosen One.
I miss civility, security, justice, and calm soothing voices.
Just a woman’s perspective.
Trump is as possible to ignore as George Washington.
A fact about impeachment is that like any other court, the Senate, in addition to removing a President from office, has the option of setting other terms of his/her “sentence”, including prohibition from running again receiving a pension, receiving the standard $1MM/year travel expense account, Secret Service protection and so on. The specific language of the constitution contains the terms “profit” (monetary benefit) and “privilege” (travel and protection for example) as things that are removed. They are prohibited from jailing or EXECUTING a president or former president, but that’s about it
BTW – Trump has never availed himself of the polite “rules’ of debate around looking at both sides. Let us engage him with his own approach.
Well said Richard.
As long as Trump continues to claim fraud and that he won, he’ll still suck up all the oxygen and his followers will still worship him.
Former Sen, Bob Kerry points out that Trump clearly and undeniably violated the Sedition Act. The question is how that violation can be part of the impeachment process, or must be pursued on a separate track.
Kerrey.
Look at the bright side of impeaching this criminal twice…. there are now 2 Is in drumpf and none in team.
Counterpoint: When someone commits high crimes and misdemeanors, impeach and convict him. This isn’t a difficult philosophical question, people.
(It’s also a Constitutional duty, in case anyone cares about that quaint historical document.)
[insurrectionists shooting, bullets whizzing past people’s heads]
Savvy Take: “Just ignore them, everyone! Rise above it!”
Once again Moscow mitch ignores the will of the people, the gop controlled senate goes into hiding, while the clock ticks down on the opportunity to send a message to future dictator wannabes, in a democracy the people rule.
Dave, I suppose my only question would be: how has ignoring President Trump’s bad – even criminal behavior – worked so far? Did ignoring this megalomaniac demagogue, con man curb his bad behaviors in the past? Did it make him go away?
Ignoring him emboldened him and his followers.
I make the same argument toward this President I have made toward Wall Street criminals and white supremisist rioters: this nation has to show that the rule of law applies to its gilded citizens just as it applies (and has been HARSHLY applied) to its poorest. This is not a political issue; it is a fundamental civil rights issue. Rich, white men do not get a free pass in this nation because of their race and status.
Sorry, Trump and Republican Senators and Congresspersons must be held accountable, at long last. Impeachment is not enough. He must be convicted. It’s a question of when.
There is more and more stuff coming out about how this was planned, and there was active help by some officials. Since Moscow Mitch refused to take immediate action, and we can’t walk the perp out of the White House as we all want to see happen, we do have to consider various strategies. With more time, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we uncover that Trump was in on the planning of this insurrections. And that would be treason, not just an impeachable offense.
I’d hold onto the Articles of Impeachment for month or two, maybe longer. Let the truth all come out, because the truth isn’t going to be kind to the Republicans. Allow time for Biden to establish his administration and enact parts of his agenda. Move the Articles of Impeachment and convict the SOB when the time is more appropriate. He’s gong to have to deal with the New York indictments, and federal indictments as well. He’s going to be in hot water for a long time. The Republicans will be wanting to show their disdain for the creep after all the criminality is exposed.
I keep hearing the call for unity and reconciliation from Republicans that don’t want to accept responsibility and suffer the consequences. Law and order without the justice. How can we move on when this is not over? They need to admit that Biden won and that there was no voter fraud. No negotiating with terrorists. Zero tolerance!!!!
They still harass Hillary Clinton for Benghazi. Where was the unity and reconciliation. then? How long ago was that?
Isn’t there a commission to investigate Hunter Biden? Where is that heading and why?
Republicans are such hypocrites.
drumpf says he will leave Washington the morning of the Inauguration and move permanently to Mara Sicko, where he has been informed he has a contract that will not allow him to live there as a permanent residence.
drumpf plans to live out his final years breaking the laws without fear of consequences, just as he has done most of his life.
NRA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York and will reorganize under the loving protection of sfw in Texas.
Why would Trump need to pardon himself if he did nothing wrong?
Donald, I think we will find some of the same things that Mueller found: that the President wanted to coordinate and plan these events, but he and his closest minions are so inept, that collusion is difficult to prove — even with CLEAR intent. To be a criminal mastermind, one needs to be a mastermind. I do not mean to imply any defense for this deplorable human, but he is a child, a selfish child with no real grasp of the real effects of the great power he has been given.
o, Yes he is deplorable human being, but he’s not child, and neither are the Republicans who have protected him. I’m not saying he is capable of planning the details. Mafia dons stay away from the planning or the wet work, but they put the thing in motion.
drumpf’s official first term approval rating is the lowest ever…33% with 60% disapproval rating. Have no idea why, guffawwwwwwww!!
Speaking of Trump. . .1. does anyone think he’s busy tonight signing pardons for terrorist thugs with names he doesn’t even know, but aides have put in front of him? I mean besides Ivanka and Don Jr. and Jared, of course. And 2. will they ever be able to pin any of the physical danger to congressional reps on the persons of other congressional reps? Or are we just supposed to choke that possibility down?
BTW, mfi, Brian Williams said last night that T’s approval rating was down to 29%. However, Republicans still gave him 57%. I’m guessing in 2024 he’ll run Don Jr. or Ivanka. Probably Ivanka because she wants to be America’s first woman president. Never mind she has no more integrity or smarts than her dad, and that’s pathetic.
29% is better than 33% anyday for drumpf’s approval rating. I will gladly take it.
Now is the time for healing…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=9W90TVuw-Ao
Less than a minute of your life you can probably get back if you try.
I think the “point” is accountability. But since I expect that there will be no accountability from anything Trump or McConnell or the Republicans do or don’t do, I expect no satisfaction from, as you say, removing him from an office he no longer holds. On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind seeing “GUILTY” branded across his forehead.
“When Joe Biden takes the Oath of Office at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 20, I am hoping never to hear or write about Donald Trump again.” Me too, but don’t hold me to it. I’m just glad he’s gone. And I hope we never see Ivanka or Jared or Don Jr. again, either. The only innocent is Barron.
Do unto him what he would surely do unto you if the table were turned..
LOCK THE SEDITIOUS SOB UP.
Mr. Baumeister, I loved that Tom Daschle talked with me, asked who I was and was interested. In the long run, Democrats need to get much tougher. For instance,, McGovern never once ran using his historic WWII record. Imagine that? Republicans have won using the low road for a long time. Now they have a party of mob rule and with Bidens victory, Democrats winning both the House and Senate many of their leaders say it’s time to unite. Well apparently only Democrats are supposed to turn the other cheek to get clobbered on that side too.
Gruds, I actually have the first graduate degree in sculpture given in South Dakota. I’m a regular Kamala Harris of firsts.
tRump called the mob storming the Capitol “low class” as he watched on TV. He did not and does not give a s**t about them. They’ll learn soon enough.