Mitt Romney: Trump Impeachment Trial Important For 'Unity,' 'Accountability'

I suspect that's certainly a better argument than whatever nonsense they are likely to bring up opposing the actual Article... like trying to parse the "legal" meaning of incite, which has no bearing whatsoever on an impeachment situation.

I agree they wouldn't be able to impeach him from scratch today, but since the impeachment and trial are paired in the Constitution, and there is nothing in there about the timeframe allowed between the 2 events, I think the better case is a trial is allowed, if still desired by the actual leaders in Congress. It is.

The trial needn't go forever. It could consist of a single day effort, if both sides think that's all that's required. Then 1 vote, then potentially a 2nd vote.

 

~ Biden's impeachment is even more important for "unity".

 

Joe has neither incited an insurrection or abused power to get an ally to help his reelection efforts...

Keep diggin'

 

"We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs [of those that believe both me (President Obama) and Secretary of State Clinton violated our oaths of office to protect the Constitution, which by wording includes the First Amendment RIGHT to denigrate false prophets like MoHamMad and the beliefs of Al Quacka]." (Obama)

Obey your treasonous Masters like Clinton and don't denigrate anything I say, ever:

 

And let's not forget to impeach the TERRORIST Maxine Waters too, so we can get gas and eat in peace; no march peacefully call there, like with Trump, what she said was a clear call to violate civil and human rights. People exercising their First Amendment rights to an opinion also includes Trump on whether the election was stolen...; whether I believe there was enough fraud to change the result is irrelevant, the ability to speak one's conscience, without intimidation by government or a party faction's monopoly in social media, is more important.

 

Don't recall that...source?

 

I think you're missing his point. If the republicans regain the house in 2022, if they want political revenge, they can impeach Biden for whatever reason they want. It will be the house that defines "Or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Spitting on the sidewalk, jay walking, anything. Of course it wouldn't go anywhere, the senate wouldn't convict.

But perhaps we've entered an era of our politics to go along with the polarization, divisiveness and mega, ultra high partisanship of impeaching sitting presidents whenever the house falls under the control of the opposite party of the president.

This madness must end, but I don't see it ending anytime in the near future. We've gone way too far, become way too divided as to whether impeaching and trying to remove Trump after he left office to have any effect on enhancing unity or dividing us further. Only our elected officials and major party leaders can try to heal, but so far neither is willing to even try.

 

Doesn't excuse his attempt at insurrection. And, he was impeached a second time while he was still President. The Senate is just finishing the process.

 

There is precedent (and logic) behind making the impeachment power extend to political figures (not just the President) who are not currently in office. Conservatives for example were arguing in 2016 that Clinton needed to be impeached. That they are now trying to argue the reverse is little surprise; it won't spare Trump the trial, of course, but would give Senate R's all the cover they need to vote to acquit. One big question pertinent here: Will Roberts preside? The text of the Constitution implies (or potentially implies) that the Chief Justice will only preside in the case of a sitting President.

 

Well Ol mitt is a friend of the left now! Wasn't that long ago the left had him pinned as a religious nut job and a racist with an adopted black child..

The left are SO obvious

 

Mitt is a patriot. Honestly it comes as a bit of surprise; the guy is such a cut-out of a personality it is easy to imagine him as a just another lickspittle for Trump. Lindsey Graham by contrast, bosom-friend of John McCain, one would expect to have been an implacable foe of Trump and Trumpism; but Oh the Irony. There really is a point to the question of how you will act when you are really tested. When faced with the choice to support or repudiate an anti-American, Authoritarian demagogue, too many Republicans disgraced their citizenship and voted for Fascism in America.

 

There is a fine lines between Patriot and Opportunist... Politics corrupt because politician are corrupt..

 

Like I said, what the senate does is irrelevant. Trump's gone. Outside of the avid pro and anti Trumpers, I don't thing the rest of us care much what happens. I think the federal court system is the way to go, but that's me. Even if convicted in the senate which I think is now impossible, their power is removal only and Trump is gone, the election removed him. Now if a federal prosecutor has the evidence and a federal grand jury agrees, there's punishment upon conviction. Were as impeachment is purely political. The Constitutions states this emphatically. "Impeachment shall extend no further than removal from office." Although if convicted the senate could then bar Trump from holding any future office. But conviction of sedition and insurrection by a federal court would do the same thing along with jail time and possible other penalties.

What happens, happens. But I think it would be better to take this out of the political arena into the judicial. Just my two cents.

 

I, also, agree that there is no way that Trump gets convicted.

Not a chance that 17 GOP Senators will Do the Right Thing.

Of course, if the rationale for convicting Trump is "to prevent him from running in 2024", that goal has already been reached.

After what happened on 1/6, a GOP Re-Nomination of Trump would lead to a Landslide Defeat for the GOP (up and down the ballot).

 

The House with the majority has the ability to impeach... His "point" was that Biden should be impeached now or eventually scheduled for impeachment, which is beyond ridiculous now...

 

Doesn't preclude criminal charges subsequent to the Senate trial. In fact that's specifically noted in the Constitution. Impeachment, conviction and removal from office (present and future) are political acts which may be entirely political, criminal or both. I agree that criminal prosecution is probably appropriate as well. Not going to look good, if Senate Republicans vote against conviction and then he's subsequently indicted, tried, and found guilty of crimes in the judicial system.

 

If the GOP were to nominate Trump for 2024, then they deserve to be wacked.

 

Exactly.

And, for their sake, I hope that they realize that

 

By the time 2022 rolls around, all of this will be ancient history to most Americans. Americans are famous for their short memory. Impeachment, trial, perhaps even Trump will be replaced by other hot issues and events.

I think those who aren't avid pro or anti Trumpers are losing interest in the senate trial already. Trumps gone, that is what they wanted. All the polls have dealt with immediate removal, none on the trial itself or impeachment after Trump left office. So I just gave this a SWAG.

 

Sedition or insurrection are serious charges. If convicted in a court of law, Trump could be fined and sentenced to imprisonment for up to 20 years. I suspect you are taking the Capitol break-in too lightly. It was an attempt to stop the joint session by violence. Not ALL of the rioters will be charged with sedition or insurrection, but will receive lesser charges for breaking and entering. A few of them are going to learn their civics the hard way. Hopefully, they'll be offered a course in civics during their imprisonment.

 

It's now being reported that Pat Leahy, new President Pro Tem of the Senate, will be the Presiding judge over the impeachment trial.

I find that a bit weird, since he's a sitting Senator, and thus also a juror, finding me in the amazing position of being in agreement with John Cornyn on something...

https://news.yahoo.com/politics-live-updates-impeachment-article-151020769.html

I would have thought they could have found a retired judge, or even a retired Senator, to preside.... somebody like a Joe Lieberman or a Max Baucus...

It's 98% ceremonial anyway....

 

Or going for unity by agreeing with the Dems social theory that "equity" of outcome is very important. Everyone should get same outcome, regardless of effort. Including presidents!

 

Poor Mittens trying to be relevant.....sad.

 

Leahy is the majority party's President pro tempore of the Senate...oldest serving Senator of the majority party. He would the next in line, if for some reason Chief Justice Roberts could not serve. One possible reason he could not would be, I believe, if he were to be a witness. That would be possible IF Trump attempted to interfere in the Court's ruling on the election issues. Leahy would be a witness as well...but there are others who could be called. It would not be necessary to call ALL witnesses.

 

I could be taking it all too lightly. But whenever and where ever you have violence, death, destruction, it should be dealt with harshly. It may seem we have good riots with death, violence and destruction and bad riots with death, violence and destruction which all depends on location, location, and location.