An Open Letter to Senators Murkowski, Romney and Sasse
Dear Senators Murkowski, Romney and Sasse,
The three of you have the power to make impeachment happen sooner, possibly in time to prevent any more violence and save lives.
We are facing a shrinking window of opportunity to remove Donald Trump from office before January 20. He remains the most powerful person in the world, with access to the vast resources of our federal government, including the nuclear codes.
It is clear to all, that Trump shows no remorse and would likely continue his lies and calls to arms to his band of militia, conspiracy theorists and white supremacists. We also know that there’s another plan to storm the Capitol on January 17, so the threat is real and likely is growing.
Vice President Pence has shown no interest in invoking the 25th Amendment, even though several current or former members of Trump’s cabinet appeared to receptive to removing him from office.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that he will not convene a special session in the Senate in order to hold an impeachment trial for Donald Trump in time to order to remove him from office in these critical days before President-Elect Joe Biden takes office.
Giving Donald Trump that extra week in power exposes our nation to the risk of more bloodshed and further destruction of our democratic institutions and norms.
Yet, there is something the three of you can do now to ensure that an impeachment trial can begin as soon as Wednesday, January 13, ensuring that the response to Donald Trump’s threat to America is not left to the next administration.
If the three of you chose today to become independents and caucus with the Democratic party, Mitch McConnell would immediately lose the role of Senate Majority Leader. Senator Chuck Schumer would assume the majority leadership position, and very likely convene a special session in the Senate immediately after the passage of the House’s articles of impeachment.
This could accelerate the impeachment process by at least a week.
Given what happened in a four-hour siege on the Capitol, how much more damage could Trump do to our nation with an extra 168 hours?
Your caucusing with Democrats would not have to be permanent. The Republican leadership in the next session of the Senate needs you in order to maintain that precarious balance of power, with fifty seats held by each party.
Alternatively, perhaps you can lay the foundation for a new political party. Perhaps your actions will inspire others to follow your courageous lead in choosing country over a party that has largely abandoned its commitment to democratic principles in favor of a demagogue.
Senator Murkowski, you recently said of Trump, “He needs to get out. He needs to do the good thing, but I don’t think he’s capable of doing a good thing.” I applaud your recognition of the imminent threat of Donald Trump to our republic. Will you live up to these words?
Senators Murkowski, Romney and Sasse, are each of you capable of doing a good thing; doing the right thing that may save lives and preserve our democracy, by choosing country over party?
