Republicans or Retrumplicans?

In several recent articles I have noted that a major challenge facing the United States is not only ridding itself of Donald Trump but also of ridding itself of Trumpian control over the Republican party and the legitimacy it provides to extreme right-wing terrorists.

Indeed, following the second impeachment in the U.S. Congress, the Senate is now expected to try Trump for his role in the January 6th coup attempt and the resulting deaths and destruction. This will likely take place once the new administration is in office and Democrats form the majority in the Senate.

By inciting the riot and encouraging the attack on the capitol, Trump committed a grievous political error that may also have done the American people a huge favor. These events leave no doubt in my mind that a trial in the Senate will be essential, at this moment in history, to send a message to future leaders that clearly spells out the price to be aid for undermining the constitutional authority and democratic institutions.

A growing number of Republicans have called for Trump’s removal, and the party establishment may be on the way towards realizing that the future of the Republican brand may rest on their ability to break the hold that Trump has on the party.

So, the time that many doubted would ever come is now here: as CNN’s Chris Cuomo would say, the Party must decide if it is Republican or Retrumplican.

A fair and vital question at this critical time in U.S. history.

Let me be clear.

Impeaching and removing Donald Trump from office is only a first step in cleansing the party and returning it to electoral sanity.

Trumpism will continue to pollute the land, and his core will continue to work on the fringes to derail any attempts by incoming President Biden and his team to once again create a consensus capable of marginalizing the extremes and bringing some sanity to U.S. politics.

To achieve this, Trump, his family, and his closest allies, must not only be kicked out of office but must also be tried for their crimes – sedition, insurrection, inciting violence, and corruption while in office.

There must be no attempt to whitewash Trump’s activities or let him off in the mistaken belief that prosecuting him and his cronies will destabilize the country. Indeed, I recall Senator Susan Collins observing in a media interview that she thought Trump had learned a lesson from his first impeachment.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Napoleon once said of the French Bourbons that they learned nothing and forgot nothing.

The same could be said about Donald Trump.

He has learned nothing from his first impeachment, nor has he learned anything from his electoral defeat.

He has learned nothing from his failed coup, nor has he accepted the fact that his erstwhile allies are turning against him at a rapid rate.

Nor does he forget anything. Any slight will be reason for revenge. Hence, Republicans must take away any levers of power Trump may have that could enable him to affect Republican politics.

By prosecuting and sanctioning Trump and his allies, society can send Trump’s followers a strong message that their day is done, and that force will be met with forceful political and judicial action.

During his four years in office, Trump has tried to destroy the U.S. political and justice system.

The challenge facing the incoming Biden administration and those Republicans who want to take back their party will be a major cleansing of U.S. institutions and the prosecution of those whose illegal activities have compromised democratic institutions.

The question is: will they?

Edición: Laura Espejo