Donald Trump's Second Impeachment (Part 2)

Donald Trump's Second Impeachment (Part 2) - The Senate Trial

 

     The following section of this article from the first paragraph to 'The First Vote (February 9)' was written on the 8th of February 2021.

    Oh boy! It has been quite a week in the new Biden Adminstration hasn't it! Not to mention the overwhelming sets of executive orders signed by the President in one month. Biden has signed more executive orders in his first week and day than any other U.S. president. While the Biden Adminstration is doing lots of work, the second impeachment of Donald Trump is still going on. While an impeachment vote had already taken place on January 14th, Congress did not decide on a date until after I wrote my first article about impeachment but after further back and forth, the senate trial was to take place only on February 8th. 

     Before even beginning, I would like to apologise in advance to all. Firstly for the late upload of this blog, this is mostly because examinations are currently in progress as of February 20th, this article was written in different sections. And secondly, for the over-simplification of this article. I wrote another article about Donald Trump's Second Impeachment before and since most information is found there, the information here is mostly brief and shortened. The link for the first article all about Impeachment can be found here > (tinyurl.com/32v9tgb4) and at the end of this article. The link to the article about Inauguration can be found here > (https://farrenopinioncorner.blogspot.com/2021/01/lets-remember-january-2021.html)

     I would also like to add that some videos and images that were shown during the Senate trial that were associated to the capitol riots (January 6) contained some sensitive and inappropriate content. As a 13-year old watching the live senate trial, I condemn the violence that occured and apologise if some information presented in this article is unclear and sensitive. Without further a due, Let's begin.

The Aftermath of a Chaotic Election

     Just a summary for those who have been living under rocks, on November 7 2020, Joe Biden was projected winner of the 2020 U.S. Election after winning the state of Pennsylvania giving him a total of 290 electoral votes before Georgia and Alaska declared it's winner. Trump refused to concede to the results calling voter fraud and issuing lawsuits. While recounts were held, Biden was still winner. He had won the most votes ever given to a presidential candidate of 81 Million or as for comparison, close to Germany's 83 Million people. So after battling lawsuits in various states, Trump battled Georgia.

     Georgia was a swing state. In other words, it can go to any party by a few thousand votes only. So how did Democrats win Georgia? A state that last swung to democrats in 1980?  The answer was Stacey Abrams and others helped black voters to register in big swarms during this election. Thanks to this effort, Georgia turned blue into the democrats favour for the first time in years. Allowing Biden to sweep to a total tally of 306 electoral votes. But Georgians had to battle the senate aswell. In Georgia, there were 2 seats up for grabs. Two VERY IMPORTANT seats. If the democrats won the two seats, they would get control of the senate with VP Kamala Harris breaking the tie, allowing Biden to pass bills easily. But if the republicans won any of the two seats, it would be way harder for Biden to pass bills etc. The U.S. nay The World had all eyes on Georgia. In the end, both seats went to the democrats by a super close majority. Now, the democrats had a trifecta (gain control of all executive branches).

The 3Is of Trump's Downfall

Insurrection, Impeachment, Inauguration

     Introducing my 3Is of Trump's Downfall. Firstly, Insurrection (Capitol Riots). Secondly, Impeachment (Incitement of Insurrection) and finally Inauguration (of Biden and Harris). So we first begin with Insurrection and follow the story chronologically. Let's Begin.

The First I: Insurrection

     The Capitol Riots is a sensitive or really sensitive topic. Instead of explaining the details, detail by detail, I want to instead explain it as quickly as possible by using a few easy words. Trump. Order. Riot. Capitol. Control. Insanity. Chaos. Bloodshed. Control back Control. Recovery. Progress. 

     The Storming of the United States Capitol in Washington DC or (District of Chaos). Caused widespread unrest and left 5 dead including one police officer who was on the scene that day. This was all happening while Congress was certifying the election results. A few of Trump's best mates (loyal partners) came together and said they wanted to overturn the result while Trump pressured Mike Pence, his running mate to declare himself the winner. So what was the outcome? After the riots stormed the Capitol while Congress was certifying the results, those who wanted to overturn the results decided not to and Pence declared Biden the winner. So peace prevailed. Thankfully. But this was the beginning of Trump's downfall. 

The Second I: Impeachment

     Impeachment is the easiest but the hardest to understand. In the aftermath of the capitol riots, Congress' hands were tied. They could either choose to remove him from office or declare him unfit or to Impeach him again. So they went all in to Impeachment. Congress voted to impeach the now 74-year old Donald Trump and with all democrats and 10 republicans voted unanimously for him, the house passed one and only one article of impeachment. 'Incitement of Insurrection'. Now we move to the final stage. Inauguration. The biggest punch to Trump and his removal from office.

The Third I: Inauguration

     Inauguration usually take place on January 20, and this was no different. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris was inaugurated into office. I was personally watching the Inauguration and I saw and listened to Trump's final speech as president at Andrews Air Force Base. It was a moving speech especially for all his supporters who were hopeful for "Four More Years!". Trump left for Mar-A-Lago, his estate, in Florida.

The Senate Trial Overview

     Firstly, the following information you see below are all brief. Very brief! Most of the information was taken from highlights from various news sources such as New York Times,

Washington Post, NPR Politics Podcast (I am a huge fan of) and Others.

    The senate trial date was undecided until after the Impeachment vote. Here is the timeline and summary of the day-to-day of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump.

The First Vote (February 9)

 

     The following section of this article was written on the dates shown on the title of every new paragraph. For example, this paragraph was written on February 9.

     Let the impeachment trial begin! February 9th was an easy day to cover. It was the day when the senate had to decide whether to even begin the trial or not. Since Trump had left office already. What was the point of even holding a senate trial and is it even constitutional? After the throwing of words around the place mixed together with videos of the capitol riots and Trump's speech on January 6 and the heartwarming speech from Jamie Raskin, the impeachment manager (in other words, the person overseeing the trial) about the day of the trial and his son, who had died the day before, the senate voted 56-44 to continue the vote which included all democrats, two other parties and 6 republican senators including Bill Cassidy who swapped sides siding with the democrats. First Day Complete!

The First Time in Forever (February 10)

     Democrats really went all in today! I want to specifically home in on Rep. Joe Neugse (D), who is Impeachment Manager wanted to split their case into three parts which were:

1) The Big Lie: The Election was Stolen

2) Stop the Steal

3) Fight like hell (sorry) to stop the steal

     Afterwards, he went in to say that Trump had planned out the capitol riot weeks. Democrats showed more videos on Trump and the riots and videos of supporters at 'counting vote places?' chanting "Stop the Steal". Madeleine Dean delivered an emotional speech on her experience on the day of the riots (January 6 by the way). Thanks to the help of body camera cottage from the Metropolitan Police, new video evidence of the capitol riots were exposed for the Senate to see. Jamie Raskin, who is one of the Impeachment Manager (his name will be a common thing in this trial) blamed Trump for not immediately condemning the violence in his evening video asking all to go home. 

     The video that resonated with me the most was CCTV footage of Mitt Romney, a man who ran against Obama back in 2012 running for his life and video of VP Pence and family being evacuated from the senate. Anyway, that's day 2 for me.

Bring me the Evidence! (February 11)

     On the third day of the Impeachment Trial the senate gave to me, a whole lot of information from impeachment managers! Managers finished up their presentation today with more video footage and photos from that dark day. January 6. I won't get into the details of the happenings of today but in my opinion, it can only summarised in one word "Interesting". Democrats also put forward what they think  Trump's defense team has in plan for them. 

     I think the managers presented their information well and we will just have to see if the defense team can challenge them well.

The Dictionary says it all! (February 12)

     The Defense of Donald Trump. At first, Michael Van Der veen, a member of Trump's defense team spoke out about the words "fight like hell" and what it was suppose to be taken from it. He also emphasized on how other political figures including Pres. Biden, VP Harris, Mayor Buttigieg and others used the term "fight" as part of campaigning. The defense team also made claims that democrats were trying to criminalise the government and congress. They also said that Trump did not explicitly say anything about getting people to riot and to incite it. They also talked a lot about First Amendment Rights for former pres. Donald Trump. To me, I don't really have a side that I stand on about that. Anyway, that's the 4th day.

Convict or Acquit (February 13)

    I spent little time reading about February 13 since all the headlines were 'Trump acquired from impeachment'. It was insane! I won't get to the very details because everyone is just talking about it. Trump was acquired 57-43 with 7 republicans voting to convict him. Since a 2/3 majority is needed, the vote failed to meet the requirement. Trump has since spoken about it and Biden I believe has too. So after one month of back and forth debate, danger in the capitol and so many much more, we can now close this chapter of our book. 

A Shorter Farren's Opinion Corner

     Let's begin with the Impeachment part first. When hearing the Trump was impeached again, I felt sincerely sorry for him even though I sided mostly with Biden. I hope he has a great post-presidential life ahead for him. 

Happy Reading! 👩‍💻

Happy Valentine's Day aswell!