Texas Republicans, vote to impeach Trump and lead supporters away from election lies
With scarcely a week left in Donald Trump’s presidency, the prospect of impeachment isn’t really about getting him out of office.
Instead, it’s about accountability. The United States simply cannot have a president repeat proven lies to amp up his supporters, publicly urge his vice president to violate the U.S. Constitution and incite a crowd to march on Congress, some hellbent on destruction and violence. Texans have an important role in making it happen when the House votes Wednesday.
Impeachment of Trump and conviction by the Senate will make a strong statement to future would-be autocrats: There are grave consequences for such behavior, and Congress, along with other institutions, will stand up for our Constitution.
After all, the next president tempted to follow Trump’s path might be competent and have the attention span and follow-through to propel an insurrection. The next mob might be more organized, better armed and more determined. Holding Trump accountable is the nation’s way of saying: This was too far, and we will certainly go no further.
We urge all Texans in Congress to support Trump’s impeachment, conviction in the Senate and a subsequent vote to bar him from holding office again. That would forever denote that his presidency ended as a stain on the nation.
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It’s especially important that those Republicans who supported challenges to President-elect Joe Biden’s victories in several swing states vote to convict. We’re not naive to think that many will, but they should for the future of their supporters, if not themselves.
Many elected Republicans have followed their supporters, not vice versa, when it comes to falsehoods about rampant election fraud and suspicious irregularities. They probably thought it was harmless, a way to fire up the base for the next election, always first and foremost in the mind of a politician.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP
But Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Michael Burgess of Pilot Point, Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Irving, Rep. Roger Williams of Austin (whose district reaches just south of Tarrant County) and Rep. Ron Wright of Arlington all know better, or should. All are facing calls to resign or for Congress to expel them. We think that’s overheated; all will face re-election in due time, and the voters should render the ultimate verdict.
But each, having contributed in some way, large or small, to their followers’ refusal to face reality, bear responsibility for leading as many of them as possible back from the abyss.
Some on the farthest reaches of the right may be unreachable, may even turn their unquenchable anger on these lawmakers.
Many others looked upon the Capitol riots last week as horrific and unrepresentative of themselves, their party and their beliefs. But they genuinely believe the election may have been stolen. They need responsible leaders to guide them to the truth, lest they tumble down the path to radicalization.
Leaders of all stripes, but especially those with credibility on the right, must stand up and repeat the truth, loudly and often: There was no substantial voter fraud, period.
If they want to have hearings and debates about late changes to electoral rules in the states — the other supposed source of a tainted win — that’s fine, as long as they include all the states. Which means Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott extended early voting in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
STAND UP FOR INSTITUTIONS
Impeachment is also about American institutions showing resilience. The U.S. is a beacon of stable democracy, but the world had rare reason to question that last week. American adversaries will gleefully take advantage. By punishing Trump for his irresponsible behavior, Congress can send the important message that, however imperfect, America’s republican government can self-correct and stick to its principles.
Congress was the victim of a repugnant assault. It’s only by grace and the boldness of police and some members themselves that lawmakers weren’t hurt or even assassinated. Congress, the primary branch of government most directly accountable to the people, must stand up for itself.
After all, Trump made clear Tuesday that despite previous recorded walk-backs, he has no regrets about what he said to help motivate the riot last week.
American institutions, and particularly those who at minimum stood by while the storm built among their followers, must stand up and say he’s wrong.
This story was originally published January 12, 2021 at 2:23 PM.