I agree with this, and it's causing me to tilt against pushing for impeachment on Monday. Snuffing out the big lie is the far more important objective at this point. https://twitter.com/RubenGallego/status/1348072857947934720
Here's what I'd suggest Democrats in Congress do over the next week instead of trying to get Trump out of office a week early. Start by opening up a major investigation into what happened on Wednesday, with particular focus on communications between the WH, DoD, and Cap Police.
Who came up with the plans that left the Capitol almost completely undefended? Who made the decision to let them thru the gates? Why was there no backup called for inside once the perimeter was breached? Why did it take so long to clear the building? Why no immediate arrests?
Second, censure (not expel) Cruz & Hawley in the Senate. Goal is to do something that will pick up lots of Republican votes and gives the pro-democracy camp in the GOP an opportunity to demonstrate they're in charge. Think this should be possible with McConnell in that camp.
The other benefit of this is that it solidifies those Republicans in the pro-democracy camp so that it will be easier for them to stay there in the future. Once Rs transgress against Trump there's usually no going back.
Third, pass a series of resolutions designed to put pressure on the 100+ House members who voted to challenge the electoral results. Really basic stuff like a resolution condeming the attack that even Taylor Greene and Boebert will have to vote for.
Here, McCarthy is a big problem. As minority leader, he was in that group of 100+ (disgraceful). He needs to say out loud that the results were legit. No "moving on" until he does this. This should be the one hard line Democrats take next week. Use whatever leverage they have.
As the investigation proceeds, more and more information will come out that will likely make Trump look worse and worse. If he committed a crime, then let him be tried in the courts. That way he faces accountability but it's not partisan and can't be spun as such.
Trump won't be removed from office early through impeachment, and can face accountability through trial. Only other reason to impeach is to ensure Trump can't run again. If that's the goal, then do it AFTER he's been convicted of a crime - best chance of picking up R votes.
Bottom line is that we have to provide an escape route for Republican electeds to reject Trump while saving face. These people aren't going anywhere for the next 2+ years. If you back them into a corner you just make Trump into a martyr. Bipartisan show of force much better.
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