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US President Donald Trump is seen on TV from a video message released on Twitter addressing rioter at the US Capitol, in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. Trump told his supporters on Wednesday to "go home" after they stormed the US Capitol following a rally during which he repeated his spurious claims of election fraud. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Impeachment Trial Must Result in Trump Lifetime Ban To Protect Our Democracy
We cannot begin to address this threat and rebuild trust unless we send a clear message that future presidents cannot incite an insurrection at the end of their term and get away with it.
Feb 08, 2021
Any elected official who incites mob violence as part of a campaign to subvert our democracy is unfit to hold public office in the future.
This week's impeachment trial is an opportunity for the public to hear the extent to which former President Trump used a campaign of disinformation to bully election officials and attempt to steal an election he had lost at the ballot box, leading up to the attempted insurrection by supporters carrying his flag on Jan. 6.
The outcome of this trial should be a lifetime ban on Trump holding federal office.
Trump's disinformation campaign included lies to his supporters, but also blatant attempts to pressure state officials to break the law during the post-election period and an unprecedented demand of the vice president to circumvent the entire Electoral College once the vote had already been certified.
Lives were lost on Jan. 6 and confidence in our system of government was shaken. Now, 71% of Americans say that democracy in the U.S. is under threat.
We cannot begin to address this threat and rebuild trust unless we send a clear message that future presidents cannot incite an insurrection at the end of their term and get away with it. Tweetable quote: To prevent the most dangerous abuses of power in the future, we must first have accountability.
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
Trevor Potter
Trevor Potter is Campaign Legal Center's founder and President and one of the country's top election lawyers.
Any elected official who incites mob violence as part of a campaign to subvert our democracy is unfit to hold public office in the future.
This week's impeachment trial is an opportunity for the public to hear the extent to which former President Trump used a campaign of disinformation to bully election officials and attempt to steal an election he had lost at the ballot box, leading up to the attempted insurrection by supporters carrying his flag on Jan. 6.
The outcome of this trial should be a lifetime ban on Trump holding federal office.
Trump's disinformation campaign included lies to his supporters, but also blatant attempts to pressure state officials to break the law during the post-election period and an unprecedented demand of the vice president to circumvent the entire Electoral College once the vote had already been certified.
Lives were lost on Jan. 6 and confidence in our system of government was shaken. Now, 71% of Americans say that democracy in the U.S. is under threat.
We cannot begin to address this threat and rebuild trust unless we send a clear message that future presidents cannot incite an insurrection at the end of their term and get away with it. Tweetable quote: To prevent the most dangerous abuses of power in the future, we must first have accountability.
Trevor Potter
Trevor Potter is Campaign Legal Center's founder and President and one of the country's top election lawyers.
Any elected official who incites mob violence as part of a campaign to subvert our democracy is unfit to hold public office in the future.
This week's impeachment trial is an opportunity for the public to hear the extent to which former President Trump used a campaign of disinformation to bully election officials and attempt to steal an election he had lost at the ballot box, leading up to the attempted insurrection by supporters carrying his flag on Jan. 6.
The outcome of this trial should be a lifetime ban on Trump holding federal office.
Trump's disinformation campaign included lies to his supporters, but also blatant attempts to pressure state officials to break the law during the post-election period and an unprecedented demand of the vice president to circumvent the entire Electoral College once the vote had already been certified.
Lives were lost on Jan. 6 and confidence in our system of government was shaken. Now, 71% of Americans say that democracy in the U.S. is under threat.
We cannot begin to address this threat and rebuild trust unless we send a clear message that future presidents cannot incite an insurrection at the end of their term and get away with it. Tweetable quote: To prevent the most dangerous abuses of power in the future, we must first have accountability.
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