Impeach. Remove. Bar from Office.

 

For two months, President Donald Trump has promoted increasingly unhinged conspiracy theories and fanned the flames of outrage among his most dedicated supporters. Today, America learned that some people on the fringe took this all too seriously. Following a particularly ugly Trump speech, the crowd tore down barriers surrounding the US Capitol, assaulted police officers, and forced their way in. The following photos are not from Caracas or Minsk, but the capital city of the most powerful nation on earth.

At the Trump rally, Rudy Giuliani called for a “trial by combat.” He got it. Multiple injuries to law enforcement officers have been reported by the Capitol Police.

Shots were reported fired in the Capitol itself. One “protestor” was shot in the neck and carried away on a stretcher.

As the siege intensified, Trump blasted his own vice president on Twitter for refusing to break the law and overturn the election.

Senators, Representatives, and Capitol Hill staff fled the building for safety.

Later, Trump tweeted that his supporters shouldn’t use violence against the police. It was already too late.

Trump finally uploaded a video, spending the vast majority of the time claiming the election was stolen, but adding that the mob ransacking the Capitol should go home.

These are not protestors. They are terrorists. They are insurrectionists.

Just like Antifa over the summer, MAGAtifa needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

GOP Senators planning to protest the vote need to stop their grandstanding and accept the results.

Since the sitting president seems unwilling to strenuously condemn the violence he urged on, Vice President Pence should confer with the Cabinet to remove Trump via the 25th Amendment of the Constitution.

Congress should then bar Donald Trump from ever holding a future federal office.

Enough.

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  1. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Concretevol (View Comment):

    Joan of Ark La Tex (View Comment):

    Editor of Ricochet jumping to conclusion before any formal reports. WOW!

    Jumping to conclusions??? Good lord drink some more coolaide

    So it’s “drinking Kool Aid” to think it’s appropriate to let the dust settle before . . .  oh, jumping to conclusions.

    • #61
  2. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    cirby (View Comment):

    Well, I guess that’s it for Ricochet for me.

    I really enjoyed it here for the last several years, but the never-Trumpers seem to have won the day.

    See ya.

    Yep, it’s been 10 years for me and I’ve been heavily involved in and attached to this community. But, I think it’s over for me, too. I’m heartbroken, but it isn’t the first time in my life. 

    Ricopeeps PM me if you want to stay in touch. I’ll give it a day or two.

    • #62
  3. Tyrion Lannister Inactive
    Tyrion Lannister
    @TyrionLannister

    This is an embarrassing, overwrought rush to judgement by the editor.

    • #63
  4. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):
    After inciting the violence himself.

    People need to learn, in addition to the definition of Treason in the US, what the definition of incitement is too.

    Like this?

    . . .[DeRay] Mckesson prevailed in Mckesson v. Doe, an unsigned 7-1 opinion that was handed down Nov. 2 by the high court. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the ruling but did not explain why. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who had just arrived at the court days before, did not participate in the case.

    . . .

    In the lawsuit, the police officer injured in a Baton Rouge “demonstration organized by Mckesson]  had sought to recover damages from Mckesson on the theory that he negligently staged the protest in a way that caused the assault.

    In 2017, U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson, an Obama appointee, ruled that neither Mckesson nor the Black Lives Matter movement could be sued. Jackson threw out the negligence claim, finding it was barred by the First Amendment.

    The policeman, identified pseudonymously as John Doe, appealed, and in 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit revived the lawsuit as to Mckesson but dismissed the claim against Black Lives Matter, finding it wasn’t a legal entity capable of being sued.

    . . .

    Although Louisiana law generally imposes no “duty to protect others from the criminal activities of third persons,” the circuit court found that a jury could plausibly find that Mckesson breached his “duty not to negligently precipitate the crime of a third party” because “a violent confrontation with a police officer was a foreseeable effect of negligently directing a protest” onto the highway.

    Mckesson argued in a petition filed with the Supreme Court that his First Amendment-protected rights of freedom of speech and assembly trumped any claim against him for leading the demonstration.

    The Supreme Court noted that “Mckesson contends that his role in leading the protest onto the highway, even if negligent and punishable as a misdemeanor, cannot make him personally liable for the violent act of an individual whose only association with him was attendance at the protest.”

    . . .

    “[T]he Fifth Circuit should not have ventured into so uncertain an area of tort law—one laden with value judgments and fraught with implications for First Amendment rights—without first seeking guidance on potentially controlling Louisiana law from the Louisiana Supreme Court.”

    Mckesson hailed the ruling that allows him to return to terrorizing police officers for doing their jobs.

    “I’ve been in this legal battle since Nov 2016 and the Supreme Court vacated the 5th Circuit decision against me that said that individual organizers can be civilly liable for injuries/damages. This is [a] win for every organizer and activist. Let’s keep fighting,” he wrote on Twitter after the decision was made public.

    • #64
  5. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: GOP Senators planning to protest the vote need to stop their grandstanding and accept the results.

    Cruz and company were right to insist on a period of investigation into election irregularities. As Cruz said, even a widespread perception of fraud undermines democratic process.

    But unless Antifa and company are definitely tied to this push into the Capitol, the mob has made such a delay politically untenable.

    • #65
  6. David March Coolidge
    David March
    @ToryWarWriter

    Oh look at that.  The Mayor of DC told the cops to stand down, yesterday.  Nope.  Its all Trumps fault.

     

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/06/dc-mayor-told-federal-law-enforcement-to-stand-down-day-before-violent-us-capitol-riot/

    • #66
  7. Brian Watt Inactive
    Brian Watt
    @BrianWatt

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    What is happening at the Capitol is atrocious.

    This post seems to be a serious overreaction.

    An overreaction? Are you kidding?

    No

    Wow!

    “Wow!” is an overreaction. Just saying.

    • #67
  8. DrewInEastHillQuarantineZone Member
    DrewInEastHillQuarantineZone
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.:

    Just like Antifa over the summer, MAGAtifa needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    Antifa was never prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    Since the sitting president seems unwilling to strenuously condemn the violence he urged on, Vice President Pence should confer with the Cabinet to remove Trump via the 25th Amendment of the Constitution.

    Congress should then bar Donald Trump from ever holding a future federal office.

    The entire Democratic Party was unwilling to strenuously condemn the violence they urged on this past summer. Should they also be removed from office and barred from ever holding office again?

    I don’t agree with the storming of the capitol, but Democrats, their media allies, and toothless mayors and police chiefs refused to do anything serious about Antifa/BLM riots this past summer. No, they called them “peaceful protests” (while businesses burned). It’s no surprise that this was the result. You can’t have a two-tiered system of justice and not expect things to go pear-shaped.

    • #68
  9. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    No Caesar (View Comment):

    Interesting shots. They add credence to the AntiFa infiltration theory. It’s unlikely that many MAGA-types take Black Helmets — like we’ve seen throughout Antifastan — to rallies.

    I just wish Biden, Pelosi, et al had made statements like the following back in the Spring/Summer:

    “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!” Trump tweeted. “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”

    This is wrong and not who we are. Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don’t start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesn’t help anyone. Donald Trump, Jr

    At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services. We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful. Kayleigh McEnany@PressSec

     

    Yes. Rep. Louis Gohmert reports on the Hannity radio show that he was told last night by Capital Hill police that Antifa was showing up today in pro-Trump gear. There is an excellent chance we just saw a false flag operation hijacking and discrediting the typical large, real peaceful protest (from the March for Life to every Trump rally).

    • #69
  10. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    David March (View Comment):

    Oh look at that. The Mayor of DC told the cops to stand down, yesterday. Nope. Its all Trumps fault.

     

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/06/dc-mayor-told-federal-law-enforcement-to-stand-down-day-before-violent-us-capitol-riot/

    Plus people were sharing images of “supplies” being left around DC over the last day or so.

    • #70
  11. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    DrewInEastHillQuarantineZone (View Comment):
    The entire Democratic Party was unwilling to strenuously condemn the violence they urged on this past summer. Should they also be removed from office and barred from ever holding office again?

    Yes

    • #71
  12. Bob W Member
    Bob W
    @WBob

    Tyrion Lannister (View Comment):

    This is an embarrassing, overwrought rush to judgement by the editor.

    In both of the last two impeachments, the big point of debate was always what constitutes high crimes and misdemeanors. For Trump’s actions  or lack of actions today (whatever you think of them) to constitute a high crime or misdemeanor would truly and effectively remove that requirement from the constitution.

    • #72
  13. Repdad Inactive
    Repdad
    @Repmodad

    EJHill (View Comment):

    Reaction: Cooler heads must prevail!

    Same people: “No, no!” said the Queen. “Sentence first – verdict afterward.”

    Do you have evidence that Trump is directly responsible? Or is this one of those “he created an atmosphere” thing? The way Sarah Palin created a hostile atmosphere for Gabby Giffords?

    EJ, he held a political rally today in Washington, hours before Congress met to certify the electoral votes, at which he told thousands of people “We will never concede.” He tweeted, “Our Country has had enough, they won’t take it anymore!” This is not equivalent to the false blame thrown at Sarah Palin. 

    Some here think he’s being reasonable, and others think the people who stormed the Capitol weren’t Trump supporters. Okay, but to deny that Donald Trump engaged in some level of incitement requires more mental gymnastics than I’m capable of. 

    • #73
  14. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    MiMac (View Comment):
    addendum- any one claiming this is a false flag operation is probably beyond help…..that is exactly what the left claimed during riots last summer….

    If the activist right wasn’t carrying out false flag operations last summer, it was probably because they were afraid they couldn’t get away with it.

    Other than that, the record suggests that it’s possible or even likely that some ABR violence was instigated by FBI or other law enforcement agents provocateurs; if not sworn agents, then informants operating out of conviction like, say Carter Page, or under coercion after having been caught.

    Anyone categorically and without evidence ruling out false flag operations against ABR groups or against pro-Trump groups is beyond help.

    • #74
  15. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Democracy) Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Democracy)
    @GumbyMark

    Trump just tweeted about his “sacred landslide election victory”.  Meanwhile he is lashing out at loyal supporters who followed his every twist and turn for 4 years but would not stop the counting of the electoral votes.

    We’re now into last days in the bunker time.  The man is deranged.

    • #75
  16. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Jim George (View Comment):
    Of course, and it irks me that this even needs to be said, if they are Trump supporters, they should be dealt with as the credo etched over the entrance to the Supreme Court dictates: “Equal Justice Under Law.” The terrible imbalance in the way that has been applied is for another day, as it should apply fully here.

    I’m all for equal justice.  Which means that, if these really are Trump supporters, they should be either not arrested at all, or arrested then immediately released, as is routine with Antifa/BLM.

    • #76
  17. Bill Nelson Inactive
    Bill Nelson
    @BillNelson

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    Sitting here trying to come up with something to add, but nah. Seconded.

    Not sure banning him from future office is the right way. This “trumpism” needs to be defeated in elections. The advantage of an impeachment is an open discussion of how we got here, but I don’t trust politicians to do this. Would Cruz lead the defense?

     The best outcome would be for republican leaders to come out and denounce Trump. But that will not happen.

    • #77
  18. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Ontheleftcoast (View Comment):
    Like this…

    Exactly like that.

    If Deray can’t be held accountable, nor even Al Sharpton for his decades of incitement then protesting while electoral college votes are being counted falls under the same rubric.

    • #78
  19. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Instugator (View Comment):

    David March (View Comment):

    Oh look at that. The Mayor of DC told the cops to stand down, yesterday. Nope. Its all Trumps fault.

     

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/06/dc-mayor-told-federal-law-enforcement-to-stand-down-day-before-violent-us-capitol-riot/

    Plus people were sharing images of “supplies” being left around DC over the last day or so.

    Exactly what we have come to expect from Antifa operations. Not proof that the violence was Antifa, but certainly good evidence.

    • #79
  20. Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… Member
    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio…
    @ArizonaPatriot

    I’ve seen nothing to indicate that President Trump incited anyone to violence.

    He said the election was stolen.  That’s legitimate rhetoric, in my view.  He said that he would never concede.  That’s legitimate rhetoric, too.  What else?  Something like “we’re not gonna take it”?

    Incitement to violence is a high bar.  This is nothing close to incitement to violence.

    Rudy Giuliani’s statement about “trial by combat” was a bit over the top rhetorically, but it wasn’t incitement to violence, either.  There was nothing about “go storm the Capitol.”

    I find the actions at the Capitol to be reprehensible.  I find the assignment of blame to the President and to Giuliani to be unsupported.

    I will be curious to find out whether or not the ringleaders were Antifa agitators.  I have no information to allow me to make such a determination, except for one kooky guy who was in a sort of horned hat, who appears to be a pro-Trump character from Phoenix named Jake Angeli.  I didn’t see him engaging in violence, but I did see pictures of him inside the Capitol.

    • #80
  21. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    How the heck are we going to survive the next 14 days?  I am truly in fear for our country.  It seems like every week Trump’s behavior gets worse or worse.  We had the call to Georgia Secretary of State on Saturday that came out on Sunday.  Today, the Capitol itself was breached and the confirmation of Biden’s election was delayed as the House and Senate Chambers were invaded.  Any suggestions?  Should the House do a snap impeachment?  

    Section 4 of the 25th Amendment states:

    “Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”   (Emphasis Added.)

    If the Cabinet is not willing to stand up to Trump, should Congress pass a law creating such a body?  How about all former living Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States?  That would be Obama, Biden, Bush, Cheney, Clinton, Gore, and Quayle.  

    Please suggest a solution.  What if Trump decides to start a war as in the movie, “Wag the Dog”?  What now?

    • #81
  22. Timothy Landon Inactive
    Timothy Landon
    @TimothyLandon

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    I’m glad we’ve already figured out the allegiances of all those involved. That saves a lot of trouble.

    I think the fact that they are flying Trump flags is Exhibit A regarding the allegiance of some.  I am sure that some have no allegiance and simply favor anarchy.

    • #82
  23. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    David March (View Comment):

    Oh look at that. The Mayor of DC told the cops to stand down, yesterday. Nope. Its all Trumps fault.

     

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/06/dc-mayor-told-federal-law-enforcement-to-stand-down-day-before-violent-us-capitol-riot/

    That sounds like opening the gates to BLM/Antifa.

    • #83
  24. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    DrewInEastHillQuarantineZone (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.:

    Just like Antifa over the summer, MAGAtifa needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    Antifa was never prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    Since the sitting president seems unwilling to strenuously condemn the violence he urged on, Vice President Pence should confer with the Cabinet to remove Trump via the 25th Amendment of the Constitution.

    Congress should then bar Donald Trump from ever holding a future federal office.

    The entire Democratic Party was unwilling to strenuously condemn the violence they urged on this past summer. Should they also be removed from office and barred from ever holding office again?

    I don’t agree with the storming of the capitol, but Democrats, their media allies, and toothless mayors and police chiefs refused to do anything serious about Antifa/BLM riots this past summer. No, they called them “peaceful protests” (while businesses burned). It’s no surprise that this was the result. You can’t have a two-tiered system of justice and not expect things to go pear-shaped.

    I totally expect and agree that the coverage of the 2 events would be completely unbalanced and ridiculous.  I also agree that the way some cities and law enforcement, including DC, treated BLM and Antifa rioters was both shameful and counterproductive.   That said, not only is that not an excuse for this crap today I don’t even buy that it is a cause or motivation of it.  “They got away with it” is a childish and ridiculous excuse for imitating riotous behavior.  A pox on both their houses.   

    • #84
  25. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Clifford A. Brown (View Comment):

    No Caesar (View Comment):

    Interesting shots. They add credence to the AntiFa infiltration theory. It’s unlikely that many MAGA-types take Black Helmets — like we’ve seen throughout Antifastan — to rallies.

    I just wish Biden, Pelosi, et al had made statements like the following back in the Spring/Summer:

    “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!” Trump tweeted. “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”

    This is wrong and not who we are. Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don’t start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesn’t help anyone. Donald Trump, Jr

    At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services. We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful. Kayleigh McEnany@PressSec

     

    Yes. Rep. Louis Gohmert reports on the Hannity radio show that he was told last night by Capital Hill police that Antifa was showing up today in pro-Trump gear. There is an excellent chance we just saw a false flag operation hijacking and discrediting the typical large, real peaceful protest (from the March for Life to every Trump rally).

    I actually hope this is the case.  If not, it is a seriously sad day for the country.

    • #85
  26. Locke On Member
    Locke On
    @LockeOn

    Whether incited, false flagged, neither or both, this was a mob action – mostly peaceful, as they say.

    You want turn it into a full civil war, do as the OP suggests, convincing a good chunk of the country that it’s going to become our own Reichstag fire.  The editor of this site should take a chill pill.

    • #86
  27. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Eugene Kriegsmann (View Comment):
    Anyone who feels that Trump is not completely responsible for this insurrection needs to reexamine their sense of reality.

    Anyone who feels that the voter fraud has been completely examined and put to bed also needs to reexamine their sense of reality.

    If you think that the behaviors being demonstrated in the Capital today is the way you fix the irregularities, or get someone to look more deeply into the problem, you have lost your sense of reality. Trump’s behavior is completely unacceptable. He caused this. He needs to put an end to it by demonstrating some dignity and stepping down as every American president has done.

    • #87
  28. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    I guess I missed the part where ANTIFA was prosecuted.

    And I’d keep my powder dry were I you. I’m following some people who are actually there. 

    I’m no expert, but this dude doesn’t  look MAGA to me. Thinking … thinking … thinking. I wonder if maybe the event was infiltrated by the people seen getting off buses.? No. Wait. You’re correct. That sounds totally unhinged.

     

    • #88
  29. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    I see a mostly peaceful protest.

    The battlespace for this was set up with the last four years of “The Resistance”, and the last seven months of consequence-free riots and “protests” across the country.  You’ll excuse me if I don’t run  for my fainting couch as a result of today.

    Having said that, Trump needs to shut the [redacted] up, concede the election, and go home.  Good Riddance.

     

     

    • #89
  30. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    Timothy Landon (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    I’m glad we’ve already figured out the allegiances of all those involved. That saves a lot of trouble.

    I think the fact that they are flying Trump flags is Exhibit A regarding the allegiance of some. I am sure that some have no allegiance and simply favor anarchy.

    I know, right? It’s not like they’re readily available or anything. I think you need to provide a copy of your ballot to buy one.

    • #90
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