# Post-inauguration impeachment **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 10, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190 "2021-01-10T15:57:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/121 "2021-01-21T06:04:23Z")
If he’s convicted, I hope that is used as an argument to go ahead and declare him ineligible for public office. It would be clearer for Congress to do it as a sanction that clearly applies to him than to have arguments and litigation over whether what he did qualifies as engaging in insurrection or giving aid and comfort. But it should also show that it’s an appropriate sanction. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/122 "2021-01-21T06:55:40Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > How does that work? It was … complicated. > **[Barbados 4–2 Grenada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbados_4%E2%80%932_Grenada_(1994_Caribbean_Cup_qualification))** > > On January 27, 1994, the national football teams of Barbados and Grenada played against each other as part of the qualification round for the 1994 Caribbean Cup. Barbados won 4–2 in extra time. In the last minutes of regular time, both teams attempted to score own goals. The result has been described as "one of the strangest matches ever". > In the 1994 Caribbean Cup, the tournament organisers implemented a variant of the golden goal rule: the first goal scored in extra-time not only won the ma... ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/123 "2021-01-21T14:40:58Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > When Putin unilaterally declares that a person can’t run, yes that it not a functioning democracy. There is a ridiculously wide gulf between a dictator in all but name deciding who can’t run, and a very difficult process that requires an overwhelming consensus between all members of Congress to occur. Let us also mention that we’ve had 45 separate presidents over a span of more than two centuries, and we have yet to have a president convicted via impeachment, let alone barred from public office. It’s certainly not a system rife with abuse. > [@Colibri](#): > > But this is not a candidate in general, but someone who has already violated his oath of office and betrayed democracy. I agree with both of these points, and if Trump becomes the example going forward of where the line is, so be it. I guess I just like that there are relatively few requirements to be President and am very cautious about any movement towards a system where a dominant political faction could even hypothetically bar members of the other party from running again. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/124 "2021-01-21T14:49:15Z")
I’m sure nobody wants a system where one side controls who gets to run, regardless of which side it is. I was just pointing out that we’re far from that. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/125 "2021-01-23T00:01:26Z")
Since we don’t exactly have a thousand of these Senate impeachment trials to use as precedent, I hope this isn’t too dumb a question. Can ordinary citizens like you and me be called to testify in a Senate impeachment trial? For example, suppose Viking Guy - pissed that he didn’t receive a Trump pardon - makes it known that he’s willing to testify under oath that “yes, I felt incited by President Donald J Trump to storm the US Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021”. Can Schumer / the Democrats call him to testify (to presumably strengthen their case), just like they could in a run-of-the-mill trial? If yes, then I suppose that in return for his testimony, they could even offer him immunity from further prosecution (maybe to “juice” his testimony a bit)? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/126 "2021-01-23T03:31:54Z")
It all depends on the trial ground rules that the Senate sets before or at the beginning of the trial. Those can involve some pretty complex negotiations; whether or not to call witnesses is obviously a key issue. And see: > **[Prospects of convicting Trump erode as GOP grows vocal against Senate...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/politics/senate-republicans-trump-impeachment-case/index.html)** > > The path in the Senate to convict Donald Trump is extremely slim, with a growing number of Republicans expressing confidence that the party will acquit the former President on a charge that he incited the deadly insurrection aimed at stopping... ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/127 "2021-01-26T23:48:15Z")
Well now. Day one swear in senators, take some votes, and now pat leahey is in hospital. Hopefully he will recover and be back in the senate. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/128 "2021-01-27T00:09:12Z")
> **[Nearly all GOP senators vote against impeachment trial for Trump, signaling...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-senators-to-question-basis-for-trump-impeachment-signaling-likely-acquittal/2021/01/26/cd7397dc-6002-11eb-9061-07abcc1f9229_story.html)** > > Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) offered an objection questioning the constitutionality of impeaching a former president, and it won the backing of all but five Republicans. > [@](#): > > All but five Republican senators backed former president Donald Trump on Tuesday in a key test vote ahead of his impeachment trial, signaling that the proceedings are likely to end with Trump’s acquittal on the charge that he incited the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Ugh. I can’t believe it, but I’m also not really surprised. Yes, those can both be true. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/129 "2021-01-27T00:47:13Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > now pat leahey is in hospital. > > Hopefully he will recover and be back in the senate. Yeah, better hope so — if he’s unable to complete his term, his replacement would be appointed by a Republican Governor. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/130 "2021-01-27T02:02:16Z")
He is back home. And hopefully all is well. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/131 "2021-01-27T18:33:09Z")
Would Senate rules permit the appointment of a non-senator as presiding officer? Say, the chief judge of the D.C. Circuit, or a respected retired U.S. district court (trial) judge, since Chief Justice Roberts has declined to preside over the trial of an _ex_-President? The Dems might end up needing Leahy’s vote to convict, as unlikely as it now seems, and it looks bad for him be both a “judge” and a “juror” in the same case. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/132 "2021-01-27T18:55:05Z")
[quote=“eschrodinger, post:128, topic:930190”] _All but five Republican senators backed former president Donald Trump on Tuesday in a key test vote ahead of his impeachment trial,_… [/quote] From your cite. This isnt necessarily backing trump. There are some doubts as to the Constitutionality. And a point was made- that old scores can be dredged up decades after. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/133 "2021-01-28T01:46:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > And a point was made- that old scores can be dredged up decades after. I’ve seen that noted as a concern but would they really want to do that? I mean, I know they want to do it but should they? Impeach Obama for the tan suit or Benghazi or some other bullshit? Just because they can do it doesn’t mean they should and if it is transparently obvious that they are doing it out of spite it might prove to be an unwise move no matter how much it pleases the base. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/134 "2021-01-28T01:55:44Z")
Yeah, but it is no longer a simple issue of “is trump scum” or not. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/135 "2021-01-29T02:00:03Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > I’ve seen that noted as a concern but would they really want to do that? I mean, I know they want to do it but should they? Impeach Obama for the tan suit or Benghazi or some other bullshit? Just because they can do it doesn’t mean they should and if it is transparently obvious that they are doing it out of spite it might prove to be an unwise move no matter how much it pleases the base. The Republicans don’t have to go that far to get revenge. It is very likely that they will take the Senate back in 2022, and possibly the House as well. Then they can have a grand time impeaching Biden over every misstep, launching special prosecutors to look into Biden family corruption, etc. The worm always turns. This would be a very good time for everyone to start backing away from the cliff. Trump is gone, and Biden is talking about ‘getting back to normal’. That’s a very good idea, if the Democratic base will allow it. Besides, why in hell would Democrats want to impeach Trump? I understand why many Republicans do - so long as he can run for re-election, he has the power to spoil the Republican’s chance of winning by splitting the right. They would love to put a lifetime ban on his ability to run for office. Democrats should hope they fail. A recent Rassmussen poll found that if Trump were to run again as a third party candidate, as of today he’d get 23% of the vote, the Republicans 17%, and the Democrats something like 41%. Trump is your best friend, electorally speaking. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/136 "2021-01-29T02:15:11Z")
I want to impeach Donnie Two Scoops because the mother fucker could possibly win in 2024. Impeach him, keep his ass off the ballot, and wash this shit stain off the nation’s underwear. I don’t see Republicans winning the Senate in 2022. OH, NC, and PA have retiring Rethug Senators. Ron Johnson is vulnerable. Chuck Grassley has a foot and four toes in the grave. Democrats could potentially lose GA if voter suppression is enacted. Other than that, I’m not seeing a potential R pickup. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/137 "2021-01-29T02:15:28Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The Republicans don’t have to go that far to get revenge. It is very likely that they will take the Senate back in 2022, and possibly the House as well. Then they can have a grand time impeaching Biden over every misstep, launching special prosecutors to look into Biden family corruption, etc. The worm always turns. Except the worm can’t turn. The Republicans have become so routinely horrible that they can’t credibly threaten to be worse. If the Republicans gain a majority in two years, will they try to impeach Biden if the Trump impeachment goes through? Yes. If the Republicans gain a majority in two years, will they try to impeach Biden if the Democrats drop the Trump impeachment? Also yes. There’s nothing the Democrats can do that will put the Republicans on their good behavior. The Democrats shouldn’t try to make deals with the Republicans because the Republicans aren’t capable of making a deal. We should treat Republicans like zombies. Don’t try to reason with them. Don’t try to negotiate with them. Don’t try to meet them halfway. Don’t try to appeal to their better nature. Just recognize them for what they are and defend yourself against them. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/138 "2021-01-29T05:02:55Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Would Senate rules permit the appointment of a non-senator as presiding officer? Say, the chief judge of the D.C. Circuit, or a respected retired U.S. district court (trial) judge, since Chief Justice Roberts has declined to preside over the trial of an _ex_-President? The Dems might end up needing Leahy’s vote to convict, as unlikely as it now seems, and it looks bad for him be both a “judge” and a “juror” in the same case. Anyone? And see: NBC News: [Senators consider alternatives to impeachment trial in view of likely Trump acquittal](https://www.aol.com/news/senators-consider-alternatives-impeachment-trial-180200202.html) ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/139 "2021-01-29T12:22:07Z")
> **[‘The perfect target’: Russia cultivated Trump as asset for 40 years – ex-KGB spy](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/29/trump-russia-asset-claims-former-kgb-spy-new-book)** > > The KGB ‘played the game as if they were immensely impressed by his personality’, Yuri Shvets, a key source for a new book, tells the Guardian > Unger, the author of seven books and a former contributing editor for Vanity Fair magazine, said of Trump: “He was an asset. It was not this grand, ingenious plan that we’re going to develop this guy and 40 years later he’ll be president. At the time it started, which was around 1980, the Russians were trying to recruit like crazy and going after dozens and dozens of people.” > > “Trump was the perfect target in a lot of ways: his vanity, narcissism made him a natural target to recruit. He was cultivated over a 40-year period, right up through his election.” I can’t say I’m surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190/140 "2021-01-29T12:58:43Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > There’s nothing the Democrats can do that will put the Republicans on their good behavior. The Democrats shouldn’t try to make deals with the Republicans because the Republicans aren’t capable of making a deal. Well, if you use your imagination you could come up with really far-fetched scenarios where they would be worse, which are so horrific they would probably never happen. Like the President and a huge portion of the Republican Congress supporting a violent overthrow of the results of the election. But that would be so terrible to contemplate that surely cooler heads would prevail throughout the GOP as long as the Democrats don’t impeach Trump. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-inauguration-impeachment/930190.md?page=8)