. This isn’t just a trial, not just another impeachment, by all means it’s rather a benchmark, a precedent with overt ramifications. The republicans of course came into it with most of their minds made up, and trying to make a joke of the process or argue it’s constitutionality. While democrats content that it’s not about malicious intent or criminal prosecution but to protect the Republic. Thing is, this isn’t just about the events on January 6^th albeit it outlines a power struggle.

…..Former President Trump expressed dangerous rhetoric some of which led to violence and thus the second impeachment. More often than not it was crazy rhetoric and not legislation as a lot of the extreme policies during his administration didn’t stem from him, but from lifelong republicans and conservatives. Jeff Sessions and the separation policy, Davos, Pompeo, Haley, Huckabee etc. were not only complicit in implementing extreme policies but also in establishing some of them. There were also GOP mega funders and leaders who enabled Trump because to them he was either a cover or puppet.

…..With trump spewing controversies, republicans could quietly pass legislation that helped them or their donors like the wealthy tax or regulations cuts. Trump was instrumental to them as they were shielded from much scrutiny or responsibility. Trump played the bad guy while the GOP acted helpless, yet as outlined from the calls during the riot, they’ve always had a direct line to him & could have demanded he tone it down the past four years. Some have asked what Trump has on figures like Graham, Cruz, Rubio, and maybe he has files on them, or maybe that’s just who they really are. Republicans have displayed repeatedly that power was/is the most important thing to them. They obstruct, delay, politicize, play victim and manipulate as long as they gain power.

…..After the elections GOP leadership seemed to be done with Trump as they had no use for him anymore but it seemed Trump still had some strings to pull.  The riots were a game changer as it split the Republican Party between those who wanted to cut ties with Trump and those who didn’t. Assuming the GOP calculus, they had lost the elections by a huge margin and from the shift in eligible voters, a clear win in the next elections would be a hurdle. Their fallback plan was a guy who could summon ordinary people to instigate an insurrection or help them quietly gerrymander or restrict voting.

…..The benefits to the GOP of standing by Trump probably outweighed shunning him as it goes back to them being extremely power hungry. Woe unto them after impeaching Bill baselessly crying foul now. They speak of Trump being a private citizen yet not only was he impeached while still in power, Mitch purposely delayed the trial and now deems it unfair. Hillary was also a private citizen when they deposed her for over 11 hours. The GOP hang on to senate committees to force a standing of the filibuster though the same people changed rules to get the tax cuts. They argue the process was rushed coming from the same folk who rushed a SC judge days before an election. Do rules just apply to one side? Is amassing more power worth destroying the American core? Did ethics and morality die?

…..It’s becoming more and more apparent that republicans play the constitution and law/order card only when it benefits them. Gone are the days when it was about preserving the republic, bipartmaniship or respecting the norms. The new GOP or rather unveiled GOP, is more about colluding, distracting, obstructing and protecting or preserving their power. Therefore since they still need Trump to manipulate their voting base or present him as a political victim of another ‘Democratic Witch Hunt,’ they would stand by him, even if the evidence is daunting, even if people died…republicans would set their aim on 2022/2024 and calculate that for them it’s better to stand by Trump.

……The Issue with that being not just the events on January 6^th but that Trump managed to dilute or weaken the very institutions that held the Democratic together. He attacked the voting, judicial, legislative processes, and made it seem as if a president is above the law both during and after their term. He shook down the various government departments, failed at controlling the pandemic or protecting Americans, made the U.S a laughing stock in the world and polarized the nation. It’s not just about Trump anymore but rather preserving the very cornerstone that holds everything together. Trump should face justice not because he was a terrible president but because through him we’ve seen so many loopholes a crazy president could use to their benefit and damn the world