Impeachment III

 

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Is the impeachment political.... or not?

 

The key issue of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump is whether he incited the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2012.  Before January 6^th,  there was no reason to “hang Mike Pence”.  He was the Vice President of the United States.  He was the running mate of Donald Trump.  If the election was certified, then he would no longer be the Vice President.  Mike Pence was specifically mentioned by Donald Trump seven times during his speech on Jan 6^th.  His displeasure with Mike Pence was expressed.  Mike Pence had written to the President that morning that he intended to certify the result which was not “doing the  the right thing” as defined by Donald Trump.  So the cry of “hang Mike Pence” on January 6^th could only come from the incitement by Donald Trump on the morning of January 6^th. 

This is not a civil or criminal trial.  The sentence of the Senate is limited to removal from office, which is as pointed out only a mandatory sentence and not applicable at this time, and disqualification from future office.  The constitution specifically requires that the sentence excludes any other civil or criminal  penalties. 

So will the votes at the impeachment trial be political?  Of course, because the sentence is also limited to a political one.  If the Republican Senators vote NOT Guilty as a verdict, they will be the ones that are ignoring the facts and making only a political vote.