Democrats and some Republicans were moving on several fronts on Monday to try to punish Donald Trump for promoting the mob of protesters who took over the Capitol last week and left five dead, including a police officer.
The first step was taken in the House of Representativesit is, where an article for the purpose of dismissal against the president was introduced for “inciting insurrection.”
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At the same time, Democrats tried to table a resolution in that same chamber calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke Amendment 25 of the Constitution. This amendment can be used to disqualify a president if at least half of his cabinetand considers that the incumbent president is not in a position to govern the country.
The resolution, which required unanimous consensus to move forward immediately, was blocked by Republican lawmakers. But it goes without saying that it will be passed this Tuesday, when it is put to a vote, as Democrats have a majority in this Legislature.
To the extent they give Pence a 24-hour deadline to disqualify Trump. If the vice president does not agree, then they would proceed to vote on the dismissal article in the lower house plenary this Wednesday or Thursday. If that happens, the way would be open for the Senate to start the political trial.We invite you to read: Melania Trump laments deaths at the Capitol and ‘gossip’ against her
The situation, however, remained very uncertain and generated divisions between both Democrats and Republicans.
Pence has not yet ruled on the matter, most likely ignoring the request and the deadline given to him by the House. Iamong other things because it is not clear if it has at least the support of more than half of the cabinet.
But the fact that he has not come out to rule out the use of the amendment is in itself a testament to the delicate situation Trump faces. According to various sources, the two officials have not spoken since last week and Pence in the opinion is still shaken by the actions of the president that day, when the mob – by instructions of Trump – was looking for him inside the Capitol to collect -his lack of loyalty by not opposing the certification of President-elect Joe Biden (which he had no authority to do).
It is speculated that the vice president’s silence is a latent threat that could be invoked in Amendment 25 if Trump continues to promote the insurgency. Especially in light of possible new riots planned for the day of the possession of Biden on 20 January.
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Nor is there much clarity about the commencement of the dismissal trial once the article is approved. This is a very complex procedure that could not be advanced in the few days left for Trump in the White House, and the Republicans, who still control the Senate, anda have said they would not move forward until January 20th.
But from that day on, Democrats take control of the upper house and it is they who will decide dates and procedures for the trial.
On the other hand, there are many doubts about the inconvenience that Biden – and the Democrats – is ripping off his government with something as controversial as a dismissal process. Particularly, because one of the messages of the president-elect for the day of his tenure is that the country must unify.
Republicans, in fact, have begun to unify around this idea.
In a statement issued Monday, the Republican National Committee of Congress argues that while last week’s events “have no place in American democracy” and be a “dangerous and unfortunate spectacle,” efforts to oust Trump they will only further divide the country.
“It is time to unite to heal our country,” the Committee said.
In addition, there are other strategic factors that are under consideration. The top priority for Biden, once he takes office, is for the officials he has appointed to his cabinet to be confirmed quickly.
Also, push a new package of economic stimulus to Congress to deal with the coronavirus. But both issues would be affected if the Senate is distracted in a dismissal trial against Trump because, by law, it is the upper house that approves the appointments and its competition is necessary for the authorization of funds.
One proposal, aired by Democratic lawmaker James Clyburn, is not to send the impeachment article to the Senate immediately, but to wait 100 days for Biden to have time to form a government and execute part of his agenda.
While Trump will no longer be in the White House, the trial would still be relevant because if convicted, the former president would be disqualified for life from holding public office.
And that would block his possible candidacy for the 2024 elections.
But the idea has been widely criticized by other members of his party who believe Trump’s punishment is urgent given the risk it poses to democracy, both now and in the future.
They also believe that if they wait too long, Republicans will no longer feel as much pressure as there is today for the president to be sanctioned. Which in itself is not easy as it requires two-thirds of the Senate, 67 votes to remove a president.
And Democrats only have 50, plus about five Republicans who have so far indicated they would vote in favor.
Additionally, there is a risk that a new impeachment trial could give Trump more oxygen and harden the supporter base.
“Many, including Republicans, know that Donald Trump is a problem they must contain. But no one knows what the best path is. If they exaggerate in the rebuke, they could become a martyr. And if they do nothing, cancer, before dying, it could metastasize as this type of behavior normalizes, ”says Edward Foley, director of Ohio University’s election program.
Trump, isolated
Trump, isolated in the White House, expelled from Twitter and other social media who sought to avoid further incitement to violence. The Republican president plans to travel to Texas today to celebrate his immigration policy and the construction of the border wall with Mexico.
Silently since the riot at the Capitol, First Lady Melania Trump finally spoke Monday about what happened, condemning the violence, but also denouncing being the target of “attacks” that she did not specify.
“I find it shameful that around these tragic events there have been lewd gossip, unwarranted personal attacks and false and misleading accusations against me, of people who seek to be relevant and have issues in which they want to move forward,” he wrote in a statement. White House website.
The Capitol, the seat of the U.S. Congress, was under tight security measures Monday, with a metal fence about two feet high erected around the building. Extremists have threatened new actions in the coming days in both Washington and state capitals.
SERGIO GÓMEZ MASERI *
EL TEMPS correspondent in Washington
On Twitter: @ sergom68
* With information from AFP