What a historic scene.
In the early morning of January 14, Beijing time, while many Chinese were still dreaming in Anlan, a superstorm began in the United States on the other side of the ocean, and the House of Representatives passed the impeachment of Trump.
Trump has made a new history:
The only president in American history who has been impeached twice.
The only president in American history to be impeached in the last days of his term.
Of course, if he is really impeached and stepped down, he will be
The only president in American history who has been impeached and stepped down (Nixon resigned voluntarily).
The trigger is:
The only time in American history the Capitol was attacked and occupied by Americans.
We are witnessing history.
Not only witnessed the chaos and death in Washington on January 6 (five dead, one was still a policeman), but also the sharp attack and defense in Congress (Old Lady Pelosi deliberately recovered the forum where she was taken away), and the heavy soldiers inside and outside the Capitol were conservative (many soldiers fell asleep tiredly).
The impeachment bill is launched, and then there is a life-to-death battle. Either frustrated by Trump or forced to step down.
Trump naturally knows the stakes.
The day before, he still took a tough confrontational posture, accusing that his impeachment was the continuation of the largest witch hunt in history, which would cause great anger. Impeaching me was dangerous to the United States.
The following day, in a statement before impeachment, he seemed to soften his position, saying:
In view of reports of more demonstrations, I urge not to commit violence, not to violate the law, and not to do any form of destruction. This is not what I advocate, nor is it what the United States advocates. I appeal to all Americans to help ease tension and calm emotions.
But it was too late for Trump to be charged with “sedition” and the impeachment passed easily in the House of Representatives. Most importantly, there are still 10 members defecting from the Republican Party, and many members abstained.
For Trump, now it’s the most dangerous moment, and then there are three levels to pass.
The first level, the first vote of the Senate.
It was an impeachment blitz, and on January 19 or 20, the Senate would resume its session and begin hearing the impeachment case.
Unlike the House of Representatives, in Senate impeachment, the House of Representatives plays the role of prosecutor, the president is the defendant, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial, and the senators are the jury.
The Chief Justice will ask each senator at the alphabetical name of the impeachment charges, who can only answer “guilty” or “not guilty”.
If more than two-thirds of the senators answer “guilty” on the charge, the president will be convicted and the president will be automatically dismissed.
This is difficult. After all, in the Senate, the Republican Party is still the majority.
But according to the New York Times, 20 Republican senators may defect. If so, enough votes, Trump will really be impeached.
The second level, the second vote of the Senate.
Considering guilt, the Senate may also continue to vote, denying impeachees the right to re-enter federal positions, including elected and appointed positions.
This vote, a simple majority is enough. Considering that if the previous two-thirds majority is guilty, then this level should be passed.
That said, Trump can’t run for president again in 2024.
Third, the court intervenes.
The real court is going to intervene. Now that Congress has found guilty, since you have been impeached and stepped down as a civilian, the ordinary courts will intervene.
According to the impeachment charge of “instigating rebellion”, if convicted, it can be sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Unless amnestyed by the new president.
If impeachment passes before January 20, Pence takes over urgently. Will Pence pardon him in the last few hours?
If impeachment continues on January 20 (and the president can also be impeached if he steps down), it is Biden in office. Will Biden pardon him?
Of these three levels, the first level is the most critical, the first level is lost, and the last two levels are difficult to protect.
Please note that no president has been truly impeached and removed from office in American history.
The impeachment of Clinton was ultimately defeated, and the impeachment of Andrew John failed by one vote in the Senate. As for Nixon, he resigned before Congress launched impeachment.
In the 21st century, I met Trump who refused to resign.
For Trump, now is undoubtedly the most dangerous moment in his life. After four years of sailing, he was supposed to dock, but sailed to an unknown dangerous sea.
The following week is very, very critical, undoubtedly a week in American history.
1. It must be more tearing.
The Democratic Party will “it be appropriate to chase the poor with the remaining bravery”, Trump will definitely use all means to counterattack the polarization, and the Republican senators are even more natural and man-man. American society is tearing up, and new violence may even break out.
Anyway, the FBI has issued internal warnings that from this week until January 20, when Biden is sworn in, U.S. President Washington and all 50 states may break out “armed protests”. Any violence will definitely be remembered on Trump.
2. Reality is even more amazing.
After watching some videos of impeachment, legislators spoke one after another. But to the surprise of the United States and the world, it’s this time. On such occasions, some U.S. lawmakers do not seem to wear masks. More seriously, there are legislators taking off their masks and sneezing.
No wonder, in the Jan. 6 Siege of Congress, some Democrats complained that they were urgently evacuated to a closed and safe room, but because Republican lawmakers just didn’t wear masks, they finally escaped the hands of the mob, but at least three legislators were diagnosed…
3. It is more important to reflect on the chaos in the United States.
For Trump, the last day of the White House, which should be most cherished, has really become the most years old. Even if he finally narrowly passed the test, the United States is no longer the same.
Seeing a friend’s reflection: When people blame Trump for his own misdeedness, we may be more aware that this is not Trump’s failure alone, but also the failure of American politics as a whole. Behind it is the polarization of rich and poor and political polarization in American society. Discontent and tearing exacerbate the United States. The populist of the country eventually led to street violence and chicken feathers.
From this perspective, fighting the epidemic is people’s livelihood and politics, poverty alleviation is people’s livelihood and politics, rural revitalization is people’s livelihood and politics… Water can carry a boat, but can also overturn it. No wonder Musk sighs that the Chinese government has a greater sense of responsibility to the people than the U.S. government.
Discussion about this post