The Stark Realities of When Trump Is Impeached, And What May Be Our Only Hope

Winston Churchill believed: “Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party.” In the case of the current Republican Party, it’s clear, most have changed their principles for the sake of Donald Trump. Principles that not only include embracing his authoritarian, narcissistic, and retaliatory nature but which serve as a threat to America’s Constitution and democratic institutions.

No-Win Situations
This is what’s disturbing about Trump’s impeachment-and he will be impeached. Even if Democrats were to succeed in weakening or removing the president via hardball tactics, their victory would be Pyrrhic-won at a too great of cost-or too shallow. Knowing the president and current state of the Republican Party, they would inherit a democracy stripped of its remaining safeguards. It may even come at the expense of mass rioting or some violent conflict.

If the president wasn’t impeached, or if it was met without a strong bipartisan consensus, the effect would moreover be to reinforce-and hasten-the dynamics of his authoritarian nature and fascist-like tendencies. Those who remained loyal to Trump would view his impeachment as the machinations of a vast left-wing conspiracy and coup. As a result, their victory would be filled with more revenge and purges followed by greater cruelty and oppressive laws.

Vice President Mike Pence, who would replace Trump, may be a greater threat. His ability to act more professionally, speak more sensibly, and appear more honest and trustworthy than Trump, would allow the Republican Party to push America further to the religious right in bringing about a fascist state. A fascist state where White Christian Identity and American Exceptionalism would become the order of the day and rule of law.

In American history, impeachments rarely ended well. Andrew Johnson’s racist and punitive nature towards Black Americans won out-with the paramilitary terrorist organization of the Ku Klux Klan and White Man’s League in control of the South. Richard Nixon’s impeachment gave us a reactionary Republican Party bent on sacrificing the will of the majority and the nation through party politics, unwritten rules, and underhanded approaches.

A Win-Win Situation
The only hope may be what’s tried-and-true: mass public protests. Hundreds of thousands are expected to join the “Nobody Is Above the Law” coalition’s historic nationwide mobilization on the eve of the House’s yet-to-be scheduled vote on articles of impeachment against President Trump. Sponsored by MoveOn, Public Citizen, and Stand Up America, it includes petitioning every congressional office and public square to declare that nobody is above the law.

Protesters will also call on their representatives to uphold the Constitution and their oaths of office by supporting Trump’s impeachment. It includes plans to educate the public about importance of participating in American democracy and making sure their representatives have no alternative but to uphold their oath of offices and support impeachment and removal. So far, there have been at least 120 events scheduled in some 80 cities with the number growing.

For now, opposition to the Trump administration’s authoritarian and vindictive behavior should be forceful and should seek to preserve, rather than violate, democratic rules and norms. Public protest, which is a basic right and responsibility in any democracy, should moreover be the defense of the rights of all people and institutions, rather than their disruption. It should also be as broad and civil as possible, always open to dialogue and new ideas.

It’s the kind of democracy that is consequently in stark contrast to Trump and his idea of governance. Waving off the need for any extra help in countering impeachment efforts, he declared, “I’m the team,” and “I alone can fix it.” (Recall in the past his statement, “I am the State!”) The remarks, made outside the White House, is another chilling reminder of how the president not only functions politically but how he thinks, and thinks anti-democratically.

Foundation of Democracy
Although documenting corruption or uncovering activities like bribery, obstruction of justice, treason, withholding American aid until foreign entities help destroy a political opponent-all of which are committed by those who behave above the law-are necessary; there must never be a time we fail to protest. Especially in the face of injustice and suffering, or with a president and political party that is attempting to destroy the fabric of democracy and establish a fascist state.

Dallas Darling is the author of Politics 501: An A-Z Reading on Conscientious Political Thought and Action, Some Nations Above God: 52 Weekly Reflections On Modern-Day Imperialism, Militarism, And Consumerism in the Context of John’s Apocalyptic Vision, and The Other Side Of Christianity: Reflections on Faith, Politics, Spirituality, History, and Peace. He is a correspondent for www.WN.com. You can read more of Dallas’ writings at www.beverlydarling.com and www.WN.com/dallasdarling.