Read on Twitter
Donald Trump is, and always has been, a danger to American democracy.
But attempts to remove him from office before his term is up are likely to fail—and could easily backfire.
Another attempt to impeach him would be a big mistake.
Me @TheAtlantic.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/just-run-out-clock-trump/617606/
But attempts to remove him from office before his term is up are likely to fail—and could easily backfire.
Another attempt to impeach him would be a big mistake.
Me @TheAtlantic.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/just-run-out-clock-trump/617606/
[Takes a moment to brace for incoming ratio. OK, here we go.]
Trump staged an unprecedented attack on the transition of power. The case for removing him is strong.
If I could wave a magic wand which ensured that we would never hear from him again, my arm would be in need of urgent medical attention.
But such a magic wand does not exist.
If I could wave a magic wand which ensured that we would never hear from him again, my arm would be in need of urgent medical attention.
But such a magic wand does not exist.
Trump’s opponents could try to remove him through the 25th Amendment.
The first step would be taken by his own appointees. This would have the advantage of reducing the risk that this turns into a purely partisan (and ineffective) affair.
But it’s both unwise and unrealistic.
The first step would be taken by his own appointees. This would have the advantage of reducing the risk that this turns into a purely partisan (and ineffective) affair.
But it’s both unwise and unrealistic.
Using the 25th Amendment is unrealistic because his cabinet just won’t go for it.
“Critics” like Elaine Chao and Betsy DeVos have instead chosen to resign. And while Mike Pence defied his boss by voting to certify the election, he has ruled out making use of the 25th Amendment.
“Critics” like Elaine Chao and Betsy DeVos have instead chosen to resign. And while Mike Pence defied his boss by voting to certify the election, he has ruled out making use of the 25th Amendment.
Using the 25h Amendment is also unwise because it would violate its spirit.
After JFK’s assassination, LBJ proposed “laws to insure the necessary continuity of leadership should the President become disabled or die.”
Trump simply does not fit that criterion.
After JFK’s assassination, LBJ proposed “laws to insure the necessary continuity of leadership should the President become disabled or die.”
Trump simply does not fit that criterion.
Trump is morally unfit for office. He should never have been elected. But he is neither mentally nor physically incapacitated.
On the contrary, he remains what he always has been: an authoritarian populist who is unwilling to tolerate constitutional constraints on his power.
On the contrary, he remains what he always has been: an authoritarian populist who is unwilling to tolerate constitutional constraints on his power.
This leaves one more avenue: impeaching Trump again.
This would have the advantage of focusing proceedings on the key question: Does his refusal to accept the outcome of the election qualify as “high crimes and misdemeanors?”
The answer, in my mind, is clearly yes.
But…
This would have the advantage of focusing proceedings on the key question: Does his refusal to accept the outcome of the election qualify as “high crimes and misdemeanors?”
The answer, in my mind, is clearly yes.
But…
As I argued the first time around, impeachment is a political tool. It should only be wielded if it's likely to contain the damage Trump is able to inflict.
And like the first time around, I simply don’t believe that this is likely to be the case. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/impeach-trump-bad-idea-trumpism-dolchstosslegende.html
And like the first time around, I simply don’t believe that this is likely to be the case. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/impeach-trump-bad-idea-trumpism-dolchstosslegende.html
Before the first impeachment, many predicted that conservatives would finally recognize Trump’s misdeeds. Republicans would desert the president. The country would unite in disgust.
None of that happened. And, sadly, I don’t see a reason why things should be so different now.
None of that happened. And, sadly, I don’t see a reason why things should be so different now.
The best way to get rid of Donald Trump has always been to beat him in free and fair elections.
Against the odds, Americans pulled off that momentous feat.
Against the odds, Americans pulled off that momentous feat.
Some 81 million people voted Trump out of the White House.
When Americans look back at the end of Trump’s tenure in power, this is what they should focus on: not the machinations of congressional leaders in Washington, but rather the will of the American people.
When Americans look back at the end of Trump’s tenure in power, this is what they should focus on: not the machinations of congressional leaders in Washington, but rather the will of the American people.
We have survived 1,449 days since Donald Trump took office.
Scary though the next days may prove, we can survive another 12.
Scary though the next days may prove, we can survive another 12.
I know many of you will disagree with me on this. Some of my closest friends do, too.
But please take a moment to read the full case against another impeachment. Because I really fear that we are about to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
END https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/just-run-out-clock-trump/617606/
But please take a moment to read the full case against another impeachment. Because I really fear that we are about to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
END https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/just-run-out-clock-trump/617606/
