The self-certified ophthalmologist, of the Senate, Senator Aqua Buddha (above), Rand Paul (R-KY), the half-wit son of a complete idiot, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), a grifter and a con man, is a complete asshole.
I can fully understand and appreciate why his neighbor in Kentucky “had enough” and “lost it,” and beat the crap out of Rand Paul. The Bizarre True Story of the Neighborhood Scuffle That Left Rand Paul with Six Broken Ribs. I’m not justifying this attack, I’m just saying that I can appreciate the urge to beat the crap out of this asshole. Every time I see him on TV, I am overwhelmed by an urge to punch him in his doughy face.
Today, soon after taking an oath to “do impartial justice” in the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, this self-certified ophthalmologist, definitely not a lawyer, decided to act as Donald Trump’s defense attorney (he is supposed to be an impartial juror) and raised a “point of order,” arguing that an impeachment trial of Donald Trump now that he is a private citizen is unconstitutional.
First of all, Donald Trump was impeached by the House while he was still president. The impeachment trial was purposefully delayed by Paul’s Kentucky seat mate, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, another complete asshole. What the hell is wrong with the citizens of Kentucky who gave us two of the worst senators in recent memory?
Secondly, the “point of order” raised by Senator Paul is a distinctly minority view, and was systematically destroyed by now-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer citing the overwhelming majority opinion of legal scholars based upon the history, text, precedents, and basic common sense. I laid out the correct legal argument most recently in An Impeachment Trial Unlike Any Other in History (Updated), and Constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe who wrote the damn book on impeachment. The Senate can constitutionally hold an impeachment trial after Trump leaves office.
Nevertheless, 45 out of 50 Republican senators voted with Sen. Paul. (His “point of order” was tabled 55-45). Remember, these Senators are victims/witnesses to the seditious violent insurrection, and they cast this vote in the scene of the crime. Many of them could have been injured or killed, along with the Vice President Pence being hanged, had these domestic terrorists breached the Senate chamber only minutes earlier. Today’s vote essentially says “never mind – these were our people.”
These craven cowards are so concerned about being primaried in a GOP primary by a Trump/QAnon cult member from their GOP crazy base that they betrayed their duty under their oath of office and their oath as jurors in this impeachment trial, putting their own personal political ambitions and party tribalism ahead of their country and the rule of law.
These 45 senators just sided with lawlessness, sedition and insurrection against the U.S. government by domestic terrorists incited to violence by their “Dear Leader,” Donald Trump. It is the most shameful act of cowardice and tacit approval of criminal misconduct I have ever witnessed in the Senate. In a just world, all 45 senators should be forced to resign from office immediately. They are unfit to serve in office.
I will reiterate what I have said many times before. The Party of Trump is a criminal enterprise led by a third-rate mafia “Don” Trump. They are all accomplices, coconspirators and accessories who aid and abet his criminality and corruption. There is not a patriot among them. They put fealty to their “Dear Leader” above all else, including loyalty to their country and our national security, and their oaths of office to defend the Constitution. They reject the rule of law and are amoral. It is a betrayal of the faith of the American people in our constitutional government. They must all be held accountable.
The GOP has fully embraced authoritarian Trumpism, the new American fascism. My father and relatives who fought a war to rid the world of fascism in World War II are turning in their graves today. It is a shameful, dishonorable day in America.
From Matt Gaetz Twitter account, @mattgaetz, replying to @JakeSherman:
“You actually can impeach a former President, FWIW
4:09 PM – 12/4/19 – Twitter for iPhone
So Rand Paul and forty-four other Republican Senators think the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump is unconstitutional. I guess they should not participate in an unconstitutional activity. In other words they should not vote! I’m pretty sure the two-thirds required for a conviction is two-thirds of those present and voting. If forty-five don’t vote and my arithmetic is correct that’s 37 needed to convict.
You are correct: the two-thirds required for a conviction is two-thirds of those present and voting. Since these 45 senators have violated their oath to be “impartial jurors” before hearing any of the evidence and acting as Donald Trump’s legal defense lawyers, they should be disqualified as jurors who sit in judgment.
They don’t seem to know this! I have heard this about 20 times in the last 10 years and it has never come to pass. They have only gotten worse. I’m very scared that will happen again.