Editorial

In no uncertain terms this nation must reject the attack, defiling and debasing of the Capitol in Washington D.C. last Wednesday as Congress was formalizing the lawful election of Presidentelect Joe Biden. Actions have consequences and even though this traitor of a president has so far gotten away with treason (remember impeachment #1 last year?), now is the time to show that this is indeed a nation of laws and nobody – nobody! – is above it.

After four years of grooming civil unrest, perpetuating conspiracy theories, feeding xenophobic sentiments, courting white supremacists and egging on those who feel that white power and privilege is slipping away from them, Donald J. Trump needs to face the consequences of his lawlessness, stupidity, arrogance, incompetence, corruption and cruelty. Trump, his cronies and enablers must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and not get away with a slap on the wrist, such as censures, as suggested by Republican Kevin McCarthy. It must be understood that Trump incited the mob to launch an assault of the seat of U.S. government, on its lawfully elected Representatives and Senators and on the process of certifying a lawful election. Congressional delegates were running for their lives in underground tunnels, staffers barricaded themselves and Capitol police were overrun as armed insurgents attacked the building, ransacked offices and beat up officers. They came ready with weapons and zip ties. They were not protestors. They were the dark, vulgar force that did Trump’s bidding. Their actions were the product of endless lies, QAnon nonsense and false pride. MAGA will go down in history as the American version of a symbol of false nationalist pride, a shamefully misguided platitude that undermined everything that is truly great about America.

Now, congressional delegates must do what’s right and hold those accountable who were the blunt instruments of the insurrection and the instigator himself.

If Trump does not resign, if Pence does not invoke the 25th Amendment — both very likely scenarios — it is incumbent on Congress to impeach Trump.

Yes, it cuts it close to when his time in the White House is up, but there must be consequences, there must be justice done so that this country truly can move on and again become the beacon of freedom, justice for all and liberty.

If this insurrection goes unpunished, the beacon is effectively huffed out and the city on a shining hill lies in ruins.

There is an amendment tailormade to punish a person who swore an oath to America and the Constitution for what happened on January 6.

Here it is , Section 3 of the Fourteenth amendment: “No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.” (emphasis added) We heard from our Senator Lisa Murkowski, who was brave enough to say that she cannot be quiet any longer and called for Trump’s removal from office.

We need to hear the same message from Senator Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young and we need them to come up with the courage to join Sen. Murkowski in decisive action to boot Trump from office, for now and forever.

Once the crazy maker is run out of town and banished from ever holding elected office again, we can take a deep breath and go about the long, long journey to address the imperfections of our society and work towards a more perfect union and equality, liberty, happiness and justice for all. — D.H.—