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

There are sometimes thin lines between legitimate protest, civil disobedience and criminal mob destruction and violence. Legitimate protest is coordinated in advance with local government, in accordance with local ordnances, generally specifying location, estimated time, length of protest, route of march, etc., etc. civil disobedience would be a step up from that...and may or may not be formally coordinated with local authorities. In an act of civil disobedience, local ordnances may be broken (usually trespass), but the participants expect to be arrested and jailed, to be released after a reasonable fine and imprisonment after pleading guilty and peacefully resisting arrest. Mob violence, the third step up, is generally accompanied by breaking and entering, destruction of property, and/or inflicting personal harm and avoidance of arrest (by physically resisting or running from law enforcement) and are indicted and punished depending on the outcome of a plea or trial accordingly. Dos location play a part? Probably. A violent demonstration culminating on private property and with minor destruction and personal injury would probably NOT be as severely charged as an attack on the national Capitol building, with breaking and entering, theft and injury (from minor injury to murder). But, then, we'll see how the latter plays out. According to law, even a conspiracy to commit sedition may be as mild as the intent to prevent, hinder, or delay by force the execution of any law of the United States is a crime, punishable by a fine and a maximum prison sentence of twenty years.

 

From what I understand, CJ Roberts doesn't believe it's his job to preside at the Senate hearing. The Constitution says the Chief Justice will preside over a Senate impeachment hearing when "the President of the United States" is tried.

Biden is the President. Roberts has other, more important things to work on since the President isn't under trial (yet).

 

That is a valid argument. Besides, this really isn’t a trial or a legal issue. It’s a purely political issue.

 

The sequel of a performance is never as good as the original. I've got a live feed on where the House managers are about to "march" the impeachment article over to the Senate. I remember the "first movie". Close to a million people were watching. Right now about 25,000 are watching the Democrats' performance of The Return of the March of Shame. lol

"Impeachment" is sort of like Monty Python's Flying Circus now.

 

That's possible. It's just being broadcast on CNN. Roberts wouldn't preside over any other type of impeachment trial...such as a federal judge's trial. Probably means little to Democratic voters, including a few Republican Senators. But, if it fails and then the President is convicted in a court of law, following an indictment and trial, it won't look good for Republicans in the Senate who voted against Trump's conviction.

DoJ announced this morning that they were opening an investigation on attempts to overthrow the election - of course that could mean voting fraud...but unlikely since Barr stated there was no significant voting fraud found. More likely that the new AG will be investigating those who have attempted to overthrow the election in Trump's favor.

 

There they go. The House managers walking the impeachment article to the Senate.

 

The Article is being walked down the hall now... an hour later than advertised... typical Congress...

 

Right...I meant the presiding official...don't think that's been officially announced yet. However, I believe he's in the chair now...so looks like CNN is right.

 

Hour late or an hour early it makes no difference. It’s still a sham.

 

The Constitution only specifies the Chief Justice to preside at an impeachment trial of "the" President. He may sit over another in a couple years.

 

I believe it has beef announced.

 

No, it's still incitement to insurrection... yesterday, today, and tomorrow..

Support it at your own ignorance...

"sham" is a pretty crappy defense...

Raskin is OK, but his pace is too fast... Schiff much better pacing at reading...

 

Biden will be removed through the 25th amendment.

 

There was no incitement of an insurrection. It’s a sham. I don’t support it.

 

Yah... I got it... was just giving a live update.... I don't think Leahy has to be made official until the trial starts in a few weeks...

 

Coming February 9th to a Capitol near you!

 

Obviously....therefore, you support incitement of insurrection....

That's a bad look, IMHO

 

Well, that's that... 2nd trial of a seditionist begins in February.... we now return you to approving Cabinet nominees....

 

I do? That’s news to me.

There was no insurrection, but there was a very significant act of civil disobedience. I didn’t support that either.


Your humble opinion is irrelevant

 

~ I wonder why Democrats are so afraid of Trump ..

 

Hahaha...on the latter, we'll see in a couple of years; on the former, I'll concede. Remember, however, if overwhelming evidence is presented involving the President with an insurrection attempt, there may be some of the Republicans who vote to convict. Some however, may simply refuse to recognize the trial itself, by absenting themselves from the trial. Since the Constitution requires two-thirds OF THOSE PRESENT, the 17 needed Republican votes to reject conviction becomes fewer. Do the math...how many would have to refuse to attend (recognizing the trial itself) have to refuse to attend, leaving the fifty Democratic Senators to vote with say 10 Republican cross-overs voting with them to reach a two-thirds majority? Ten? Twelve?
I believe that's called being caught between the horns of a dilemma.

 

The Establishment Party thought they had securely walled themselves in and never had to work for or answer to The People again. Trump, the first President ever voted into office with zero political background, scared the crap out of them. They spent decades doing nothing but "grooming" their propaganda skills and silver tongues. Trump insulted them when he showed that The People actually want someone who will work to make things better For The People and not just Play Act for votes and riches.

The best is yet to come.

 

Democrats think your ability at discerning fear leaves much to be desired.

 

We'll see what happens next.

 

How would you vote? Would you recognize the Senate trial as constitutional and legal...or would you not attend and lower the 2/3rds number against your principles? I believe McConnell has already committed to letting everyone vote their conscience on this one, so attendance isn't mandates by party politics.