It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over

House managers saying "We proved our case" reminds me of myself in middle school. Screaming "This is ILLEGAL, Lewis" hoping somebody will hear me from inside the locker Lewis stuffed me into.

— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) February 13, 2021

This is the case they made:

Trump’s statement includes no remorse and no condemnation of what happened on January 6.

Because he has no remorse and doesn’t think the people who attacked the Capitol for him were wrong.

And he’ll do it again if he can.

— Andy Craig (@AndrewRCraig) February 13, 2021

Between the vote for witnesses and the decision to fold up and take the win they had, Ted Cruz went before cameras and admitted the trial was a joke and the House didn't have the votes in the Senate.  The fix, in other words, was in. Perhaps the managers proved their case in the “court” that matters.

The Senate has "all powers" over impeachment proceedings. It can do what it wants.

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) February 13, 2021

And, conversely, not do what it doesn't want. In 232 years, it has never wanted to.

https://t.co/2wttGJ5v9e pic.twitter.com/AKvw1CfKAx

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) February 13, 2021

The "system" is not going to save us from our bad decisions. But criminal justice might still bring us justice.

Far-right extremists at each other's throats over fears of who has turned informant: report https://t.co/EdB6TAjpj6

— Raw Story (@RawStory) February 14, 2021

A politician inspired them to insurrection. But it wasn’t politicians who put the fear of God into them. A Senate that wouldn’t even expel Joe McCarthy and has never convicted a President, still came as close as it ever has. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, but close may also open otherwise closed doors.

One thing leads to another. The real power has yet to be exercised.

18 USC 2383: “Whoever incites,... assists, or engages in ...insurrection against ... the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be ... imprisoned not more than ten years ... and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”

— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) February 14, 2021