Once again the Democratic controlled House of Representatives has impeached President Trump. As all can recall, the first one ended with Trump’s acquittal by the Senate, and if another trial would be held the same result would occur. More than one Republican Senator would probably vote to convict, but not the 17 needed to remove Trump from office.
What are the accusations this time? One week ago an unruly mob charged the Capital building, resulting in some damage and five people being killed. The charge, mostly written by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, was “inciting an insurrection”.
To better understand what is being attempted, we must define what an insurrection really is. Several dictionaries use this as a definition: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government.
So, was this an insurrection or not? Given that fewer than 25 people have been arrested, among some few thousands, perhaps not. We are a nation of over 300 million citizens, and the number who rioted was a small percentage of that number. This is not to minimize the action, but to try to put it into perspective. And no widespread looting was seen.
During the long, hard summer of 2020, several riots have exceeded that Capital riot in number and intensity. A few cities come to mind: Minneapolis, Kenosha, WI, Chicago, Seattle Atlanta and Portland among others. Yet Democratic governors and mayors not only did not see fit to hold leaders accountable, sometimes they even seemed to encourage the looting, burning and destruction of property. Several people were killed during these riots, and few, if any, persons have been held responsible.
In addition, our history is replete with instances in which more serious violence occurred. In my lifetime, the riots, killings, and looting associated with the Vietnam War happened, and even though Lyndon Johnson bears much responsibility for the conflict which claimed over 58,000 American lives, he was not held to the standard today’s Democrats claim for Trump.
During the turbulent ‘60s, assassinations were carried out, almost with regularity. Malcom X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert Kennedy, and John Kennedy. In 1970, four people were killed at Kent State University in Ohio. Areas of cities went up in flames and looting, shootings and destruction took place. Remember Los Angeles, Detroit and Chicago were sites of such riots. After the Rodney King incident in L. A., parts of that city were destroyed.
Who can forget the violence during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago? Mayor Daley’s police force used violent tactics to subdue the rioters, inflicting many injuries on the not so peaceful demonstrators. And in 1969 there were the “days of rage” in early October, three days of violent demonstrations on the streets of that same city. It seems as if those who demonize Trump are forgetful of our nation’s penchant for violent protests, riots, lootings and destruction.
Other examples can be found where authorities either instigated violence or increased its likelihood, but no action was taken against them for their decisions. Perhaps one of the most egregious of these was the Pullman Strike of 1894 when then President Grover Cleveland, against the advice of the Illinois governor and local officials, sent federal troops to Chicago and only increased the violence. No “punishment” was given to the President and he served out his term with no adverse consequences for his unwise action.
Other incidents of Presidential failures can be cited, also. In Bill Clinton’s tenure, the Rwanda massacres took place. Even he admitted failure on his part; though not a part of the United States, to not act was to betray the high regard for human life we hold dear in our nation. Ronald Reagan had his Iran-Contra controversy, which arguably damaged our prestige and helped continue civil wars in Latin America. Yet neither of these Presidents, who failed to do their duty, were called to account like Trump has been.
Next, did Donald Trump “incite” this riot? By most standards, he did not. He cannot escape some responsibility (he even admitted some culpability) but his calls were for a peaceful demonstration in defense of challenging a tainted election. He did not lead a mob, he did not arm any of them with what the police have found. After five years of demonizing the man, the Democratic Party feels as if this is the way to punish him for being President.
And what good will another trial for Trump do? In less than a week, Donald Trump will be a private citizen. At 12 noon on January 20, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President. Impeachment, according to the Constitution, is for those in public office, as prescribed in that document. Can a private citizen be impeached? To me, any action taken after 12 noon on January 20 is moot.
The Constitution also addresses this issue. It is called a “Bill of Attainder”, an act of Congress (or any legislative body) which punishes a private citizen by a majority vote of the body’s members. Bills of Attainder are denied to any Congress of the United States. It seems that the Democrats, now in power again, only want to punish Trump, even after they have defeated him in the election and in the courts.
It is a waste of time and energy to continue with this obvious farce. The incoming administration will need all the focus on building their team to serve the country, and this will unnecessarily impede this process. By far the majority of the 74 million plus who we know voted for President Trump, are convinced that the election was stolen by the Democrats through fraudulent counting and vote harvesting, and the impeachment of the man they believe was the true winner of the election is going to further solidify their anger, causing an even deeper rift in this country. That rift will take years to heal.
Leaders of both parties, no matter their private sentiments about Trump, need to step in and end this charade. Perhaps the lessons of Watergate should be remembered here. After Richard Nixon was forced to resign, we had, in the words of his successor, come through a “national nightmare”, and began healing the rift caused.
Virtue signaling may make lawmakers feel good, but doing this is really a disservice to America’s political values, the American public and the rule of law.
A postscript is just a question: Since Donald Trump was President, how can he incite an insurrection against himself?