Healing cannot begin without impeachment

We need healing.

In a twisted way, we all contributed to the rise and fall of President Donald J. Trump, who rose from reality show star to a man who deserves to be impeached for a second time and removed from the White House.

Yes, we all contributed. This includes:

• Progressives like me who did not properly gauge the fury that he preyed on in order to get elected and stay in power. There was a segment of society that was disenchanted, mainly because of socioeconomic concerns. Although Trump is about as elitist as you can get, his advisers told him this was a segment that would be receptive to — and really shape — his message. Astoundingly, even after he has left them high and dry, his supporters remain loyal, many to the point of even death.

• Conservatives who cheered him on, despite glaring character issues, because the economy was strong. And anyone they mistrusted — liberals, mainstream media, immigrants — he mistrusted too, and belittled, and openly tormented. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It is ironic because if you look at his spending and moral failings, Trump is not a conservative. Yet they rooted him on anyway.

People on both sides who sat quietly as he put kids in cages and normalized hatred. This includes not only conservatives but even progressives who are not Latino and sat back as families were torn apart and kids stuffed into cages under the guise of “immigration enforcement.” Silence is complicity.

All of it came to an ugly, senseless, tragic head on Capitol Hill. Those who say they were stunned by the riotous revolt simply chose to not pay attention. Trump’s rhetoric has fueled this anger since before he came into power. He hinted, not very coyly, at it during the campaign. And conservative social media sites galvanized followers — in the open — to come to Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 6 joint session election certification.

This was no secret. Clearly Trump’s followers descended upon our nation’s capital carrying rage, filled with vitriol, and expecting results. They did not come merely to protest, attend a couple rallies, and snap photos of some monuments for their Instagram. They came expecting to disrupt, discombobulate and perhaps dishearten the system.

They left with thus far five people dead, scores wounded, and nearly 100 people arrested. Trump, who promised at the pre-riot rally, “I’ll be right there with you!” was, of course, hiding in the White House. A liar who abandoned his most misguided flock of sheep.

So where do we go now? Where must we go now?

First, we must remove the man who openly called for insurrection and sedition. Then we move forward to healing. That involves a future of dialogue and mutual respect. Moving forward we must listen first and then talk. Demonizing and playing on anger and fear is what got him elected.

If we love America, we must love each other as Americans.

Alex Montoya is a writer and speaker who lives in East Village.