Impeachment 2.0 Conclusion: Where Do We Go from Here?
Today concluded the impeachment trial that included the prosecution and defense’s closing arguments and an about-face for the Senator’s request for calling witnesses. A rather predictable outcome from the Senate to acquit former President Donald Trump came in the late afternoon on Saturday. Some are disgusted with the result and the process and some relieved that their idol remains unscathed. It ultimately seemed like a waste of our time and taxpayer dollars, especially dollars some of us don’t have amid an economically devastating pandemic. The impeachment is over, but the real work is just beginning. The question is: where do we all go from here?
I’ve talked ad nauseum about accountability relating to Donald Trump in the past, whether it be about the pardons that he used during his term or just general consequences to his rhetoric. The insurrection was the worst thing he could have done as leader of the free world, and he still comes out of it unscathed. No lessons are taught as he still believes it is a witch hunt. The accountability from the House and Senate is nowhere to be found as well. It’s hard to teach kids about accountability when it doesn’t come from the top leaders in the world.
The blame going back and forth whether it was timely enough to bring this case to the House and Senate is semantics at this point. It wouldn’t have mattered whether the articles of Impeachment got to the Senate sooner; the trial ultimately wouldn’t have started until after Trump was out of office anyway. It was a lose-lose situation and stupid to sit and point fingers for something that was completely out of control for either party.
Donald Trump is now trying to get back into the political scene, whether that be assisting Republicans to win back the House and Senate in 2022 or his run for president in 2024. Unfortunately, I’ve mentioned before that there is a black cloud looming over him that may seal his fate and end his political career as we know it. Every election year is different, and many factors may contribute to who will be elected (or reelected) to the White House. One thing is for certain: his tainted legacy isn’t going to do him any favors.
Mitch McConnell made a speech after his vote to acquit Trump in which he condemned him for his influence in the insurrection on January 6 thin addition to the fact that Trump will feel an effect from this, whether it be in a criminal court or otherwise. People are angry at him for making these comments after the vote and think that it would have been more helpful prior to voting in the first place. I agree with Mitch to a certain point and I still stand by the fact that he would have easily convicted in a regular court of law. I’m not a lawyer nor do I claim to be, but if it were attempted that he was tried again, I’m not sure if it would happen due to double jeopardy.
Where do we go from here? The hope is to get this COVID-19 relief package passed and sent to the American people. This claim that the Senate can walk and chew gum at the same time is a farce. We’ve lost five days that we will never get back with a continuing pandemic that is still out of control. There is still hope on the horizon that some will start to reject Trump’s type of politicking in the GOP and become real conservatives again. Truth and the American Way will make us a more perfect union. Self-serving tactics to remain in power must also be denounced to lead us into a better place. It will take time but we will get there.
Originally published at http://mypanoramicperspective.com on February 14, 2021.
