How Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is different this time

January 13, 2021 15

WASHINGTON DC, United States: It was one of the most jarring images during Donald trumpIt was the first impeachment trial, and it wasn’t the president’s.

All of this after Pelosi repeatedly stated how “sad” and “solemn” the occasion of the impeachment was.

Nancy Pelosi (second from right), hands pens to (LR) House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Representative Carolyn Maloney, DN.Y., Representative Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, Judiciary Committee Chair of the House Representative Jerrold Nadler, DN .Y., the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Eliot Engel, DN.Y., and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Representative Richard Neal, D-Massachusetts, after signing the resolution to broadcast two articles of impeachment against Trump (Photo: January 15, 2020) (AP)

Some QAnon believers saw a yellow tie worn by Trump as a secret message. — The first impeachment trial failed to remove Donald Trump from office, but the second time things are different (AP)

Never mind that something similar happened during Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, the pen incident angered Republicans and reinforced the view of many Americans that Democrats were playing partisan games.

History shows that impeachment failed to remove Donald Trump from office and only succeeded in rallying Republicans behind the president.

Nancy Pelosi and her allies are taking the path of impeachment again, and they will hope they do better in their fight to win over the public.

This time things are different.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California arrives at the House chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, January 13, 2021, as the House seeks an impeachment article against President Donald Trump. for his role in inciting an angry mob to storm the Capitol last week. (AP)

In the first impeachment, the allegations not only surrounded foreign aid and pressured Ukrainian officials to open an investigation into Joe bidenBut the evidence was largely based on testimony.

While some of it, like Colonel Vindman’s testimony, was compelling. These were problems that did not directly affect many Americans.

This time, the case of the Democrats is joined by the support of some Republicans.

A sign sits on the bed of a pickup truck during a meeting calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump at South High School ahead of a car rally on the streets of downtown Denver on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo / David Zalubowski) (AP)

While much attention has been paid to the president’s speech before the riots, many in Donald Trump’s party are more angered by his inaction to stop the violence.

The President was at a rally in Michigan when the first impeachment vote took place and announced with glee that no Republicans in Congress voted for impeachment.

This time around, while the majority of Republicans are still arguing against impeachment, it is telling that the majority have not defended the president. Instead, they are saying that impeachment proceedings are being rushed and divisive.

Capitol fenced off after a day of chaos

Many of these Republicans are also not innocent of hypocrisy. Some are the same ones who stood by, or even promoted the false and divisive claims that the elections were stolen.

Ultimately, the fate of Donald Trump may well rest with Mitch McConnell.

The Republican Senate leader is the one to watch, as only he can change the figures to convict the president, which would almost certainly result in his being banned from office.