Trump has been impeached. I watched the proceedings and listened to every argument. In general, Democrats and Republicans who voted to impeach the President cited the events leading up to and the day of The Capitol Insurrection on January 6, 2021:
The Republicans who stood by Trump talked about almost everything except the events of that day. I believe they did not recount the deadly insurrection because there is no doubt that Trump told the angry mob to fight and then watched the violence for hours without acting to stop it. He was also complicit with riling up the crowd and working against a peaceful transfer of power via his hateful rhetoric about the election as well as the Democrats and Republicans that contested his propaganda and lies. He is further guilty of illegally trying to change the vote in Georgia by asking Georgian officials to "find votes" and threatening the official. It's likely that he also worked with other elites to recruit extremists, fund their transportation/accomodations, advertise the event, invite them to come, and choreograph the insurrection which appears to be well timed for obstruction of justice and possible, planned-for murder and/or kidnapping of lawmakers. So, while they could not defend Trump's terror, they talked about all kinds of other topics and tried to put Democrats on trial for all kinds of things. They had many terrible arguments. I can't believe they voted to protect a President who caused the 4th deadliest terror attack during his own Presidential term--disgusting, unAmerican, and very, very deadly and dangerous.
But, now that he's been impeached. What's next?
This is what I believe should happen.
First, do all that we can to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Corporation and communications companies around the world are helping out by closing down Trump's accounts so that he cannot incite further violence. Many organizations are withdrawing financial and other supports for the Trump team in every way. The FBI has said that they are working to investigate and prosecute all involved. Other law enforcement agencies are doing the same. It seems that the Trump terror team infiltrated some law agencies which makes the job harder, but hopefully there are enough honest, hard working, dedicated law enforcement personnel to get the job done. As citizens, we can report anyone we think may be planning to create terror of any kind. We can withhold money from perpetrators that plan to attend the inauguration as well. Lawmakers can also do what they can to make sure people are safe.
Next, once Biden is in office we can ask him to appoint a commission to explore every aspect of the insurrection--the public needs to know every detail about what happened, and there needs to be recommendations about how to thwart such acts in the future.
Also, I feel that a small team should forward the impeachment conviction. I don't think it should take over from Biden's need to get the government going, so perhaps a suggestion I read about would work--make it a long, slow process and dedicate an hour or so a day to it--it could be called Impeachment Hour and occur every morning from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. People are generally less angry in the morning, and more efficient. Then they can use prime time to focus on Biden issues.
Then, I think the Congress should prioritize issues that they feel are not too big and issues that are easy wins to start off with--let's get some good bipartnership work going with the focus on helping the people during the pandemic. Then, once some good work for the people has been done, begin to work on some of the greater issues that face us in logical, people/country-centered ways. Try to move away from one party vs the other, and keep the focus on creating best possible legislation to serve people in sentivie, helpful ways now and into the future. There is so much great potential out there--it's not in our best interest to stay mired in useless debate, but instead truly use debate to finesse and compromise--pass some laws, and promote some good work for the country.
As for those of us outside of the government, we all have to figure out what our part will be--what will we do to work for the greater good? If we want our country to succeed, we all have to take part in legal, informed, positive, and peaceful ways. We can do this.
It's been a very, very long couple of political months--lots of time and money have been wasted, and many Americans have had to overwork thanks to Trump's ongoing terror, propaganda, danger, and foolishness. Think of all the children that have suffered thanks to his crazy, self-serving, demented, dangerous apathy, irresponsibility, and time-suck activity. Those children's parents are working overtime, some parents have to work away from home, family members have become sick and many died from COVID-19, and the whole country is suffering from too-long pandemic limitations due to the fact that Trump was too busy focused on his personal wealth, power, pleasure, and privilege than to truly work to mitigate such a threat and save lives.
The end is hopefully near. Hopefully law enforcement will keep Trump and his band of terrorists at bay, and hopefully the government will be able to move forwad with the dignity, lawfulness, dedication, and focus on the people that we've longed for and haven't seen throughout the Trump years. Onward.