General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Impeachment just seems worthless [View all]matt819
(10,749 posts)The Senate doesn't get the opportunity to have a trial and convict without an impeachment.
If they don't convict, then maybe you're right re symbolism. But it still had to be done. If the president is impeached for incitement to insurrection, then there was an insurrection. Then everyone being arrested participated in one way or another, in an insurrection (in addition to all the other crimes being charged). Also, you either impeach for this kind of behavior - with or without a conviction - or you pretty much let every other wannabe dictator know that incite to insurrection is a legitimate behavior by a president who decides he wants to stay in office.
Plus, every person who did not vote for impeachment is tarred with the same brush. That may or may change things for their next election, but it still needs to be out there in the voters' minds.