Bryan Garsten has a good op-ed in the NY Times arguing that Congress should impeach to defend the separation of powers. “The whole country, indeed the world, is watching Congress to see whether it will allow this unprecedented attack incited by the president to go unpunished. If Congress does not utilize the constitutional means of defending itself and deterring future attacks, this moment will come to be regarded by historians as a decisive capitulation, not just to President Trump, but to a dangerous new mode of presidential action.” Read the whole thing. It’s a fitting read alongside Jeff’s recommendation of Timothy Snyder’s essay.
It echoes arguments made in several post at The Constitutionalists by Jeff, Ben, Greg, and myself. Impeachment and removal by Congress is not about revenge on Trump, it’s about preserving the constitutional order as a whole.
I agree with George that this is a great piece. The separation of powers point is spot on. My only quibble is that Bryan is too generous to Trump’s speech before the insurrection. For a brilliant reading of that speech — see this very long twitter thread by Seth Abramson: https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/1347908845281095680