What should be the strategy when the Senate fails to convict?

[kentuck]

I heard Tim Kaine yesterday on one of the networks saying that he was worried that they would acquit Trump once again and how that would appear to the masses?

Just because the Senate acquits does not mean he is innocent. But, that is the narrative they would love to spin.

Once again, the criminal will escape justice. It's much like releasing Jack the Ripper to continue his crime spree.

So, what should be done?

We have no AG at the present time because Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell are holding up the process. We can only guess why?

But what should be done once the Justice Department is complete and we have an Attorney General leading it?

In my opinion, he should be immediately indicted and charged with conspiracy and sedition against our government.

Also, I think the state of Georgia should proceed with their election fraud charges from his actions in the last election.

Furthermore, whatever outstanding charges that NY State or the SDNY have been holding, they should proceed expeditiously.

Whatever happens, the Senate vote cannot be the final word.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Couldn't the evidence presented at the impeachment trial be accessed and used

at federal and state trials, via res judicata? We may not get a conviction in the Senate, but with a multitude of trials and convictions later, it could have the same effect of Trump being unable to hold office again in the future.

[kentuck]

2. I would think so, but I'm no lawyer.

I'm thinking he would probably be better off taking the conviction from the Senate? That might alleviate some of the criminal charges that lie in wait?

[Demsrule86]

3. No.we need to move on...leave it to the states and AG. Maybe a commission.

[Celerity]

4. agree nt

[Demsrule86]

7. We have so much to do. It is not great that the senate trial is coming before Biden has his

cabinet or the Covid bill is done.

[Celerity]

10. that damn Organising Resolution had best be passed today, both Bernie and Amy Klobuchar said

Monday night that it would be passed yesterday. We need those Dem Senate Committee heads in ASAP, so sick of assholes like Graham dictating shit still.

The COVID relief bill is shaping up to be another sideshow as well. Reconciliation is a pretty limited (only 3 areas, and each only once per year) and whatever doesn't get passed (as in pulled out) in that is going to be filibustered by McTurtle and the thugs, plus most all other big ticket items that were not in the Reconciliation bill. Manchin gave an interview last night on CNN where he was practically giddy explaining the Senate parliamentarian would disallow a lot of things in it. I know if most all controversial items are pulled and the total outlay amount is vastly reduced (both things I hate that we have to do) that he probably will vote for it, BUT he also said he really did not want to go the Reconciliation route at all. He also was clearly pissed about whatever happened with VP Harris' interview (I support he and Biden's approach there), he started to get angry then checked himself. He also said for sure not a chance for the 15 USD PH minimum wage, sigh.

[kentuck]

5. I suspect Georgia will be the first to act?

I think they have a moral compass that others might not see. They are the soul of America.

[Demsrule86]

6. That works.

[RDANGELO]

8. Garland han't been confirmed yet, but

I'm sure that there are some people of integrity in the FBI who are investigating him. They will get all of the evidence. This isn't as complicated as the Russian Collusion thing.

[woodsprite]

11. And don't forget how he pissed on the intelligence community.

I’m would think their thoroughness will shine on anything to do with tRump&Co.

[StarfishSaver]

16. You're right: the investigations aren't dependent on the AG confirmation

At some point in this process, a confirmed AG may matter. But right now, the investigations are probably going along just as they would even if an AG were in place. And even if Garland had been confirmed two weeks ago, there wouldn't have been indictments yet. This process takes time.

[uponit7771]

9. Get the kGOP senators support for the white supremacist Trump on record then send to DOJ the

... investigation of insurrection.

Being a president shouldn't come with a get out of jail free card

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

12. Make the Orange traitor's life as miserable as possible in every legal

way possible. Stress him out on every legal front where he is suspect.

[bullimiami]

13. Prediction. the evidence will be overwhelming. the republicans will still not convict.

he will be blocked him from future office with maybe a handfull or Rs.

they should convene a grand jury to consider incitement or insurrection charges among others for quite a few people.

[kentuck]

14. I think that is the preferable solution for the Republicans.

They can pretend to be against everything but will not vote to convict. However, they will ride the coattails of the Democrats and a few Republicans when they pass a resolution that Trump cannot run for office again. That way, they hope to keep the base and get Trump out of their hair, also. I think they are dreaming.

[StarfishSaver]

17. He can't be disqualified from office unless he's first convicted by 2/3 vote

[bullimiami]

18. Are you sure if that? I've seen both opined by "experts".

[StarfishSaver]

19. I'm positive. Anyone who claims otherwise is no expert

Disqualification is one of the two penalties the Senate can mete out as punishment for conviction. The other is removal from office. They cannot impose either punishment unless they convict. That would be like acquitting a defendant, but then sentencing him to 20 years in prison.

[kentuck]

20. They will try to pull the wool over the eyes of their supporters.

They will try to have a vote on the resolution to disqualify, whether or not they convict, and it will pass by about 60 votes, and will appear to be enough to stop him from running again, but as you say, it would be insufficient and not allowed under the words of the Constitution and would have no binding effect.

[StarfishSaver]

22. Democrats will decide the rules and procedures. If he's acquitted, the trial will end.

The Republicans won't be able to force a vote on disqualification.

[lagomorph777]

21. "The GOP have voted to convict themselves; they are complicit in the crime of the century."

Make this a central theme of every Senate campaign for the next six years.