CSI: American Carnage (Jan. 10, 2021)
WASHINGTON — Mike says, Well, Jim, to be honest, there are risks to impeachment or invoking the 25th amendment, risks that, in my view, suggest that the more prudent course is to wait and see. Utilizing the 25th Amendment or even impeachment could well provoke a rash response from the president, an instance of, you know, poking the bear. Should he become more unstable, which close observation would indicate, we will have ample opportunity to consider the proper course going forward. You can use that on a not-for-attribution, close-to-the vice-president basis. You know, Representative Brady from Texas put it well when he said that those calling for impeachment or invoking the 25th Amendment in response to President Trump’s rhetoric this week are themselves engaging in intemperate and inflammatory language and calling for action that is equally irresponsible and could well incite further violence. That’s the danger we’re grappling with, Jim, a danger not to be taken lightly. So we are undertaking historic observation here, commensurate with the historic moment, where the eyes and ears of the federal government, this great body of legislators and public servants, are on watch for signs of greater instability. Beyond that, Jim, I think you know, that this is a time for healing, a time to bring this great nation together, a time for unity and a time for strength. We cannot, and we must not, as Rep. Brady so eloquently stated, place a desire for vengeance above the best interests of the country. My good friend, Senator Cruz, has put it best when he called for healing the wounds of a divided nation. And what happened? He was likened to Goebbels by those seeking to score political points at the president’s expense. You know, Jim, we followed the Constitution every step of the way in the certification process. I even sent a letter to all members reiterating my belief that the Constitution is the law of the land and we are a nation of laws. And the president-elect responds by likening Senator Cruz and Senator Hawley to Goebbels. And what is the response of Big Tech? More censorship. Sen. Hawley is censored by a corporate media giant and publisher, and there are calls for his resignation and the resignation of Senator Cruz. I ask you, Jim, in all fairness, is this America? If I may, on a personal note, Jim – Mother and I, and our pastor, have served this president faithfully over the past four years. It hasn’t always been easy, it hasn’t always been a simple task. In fact, Jim, it has often demanded great dexterity, a sense of balance, and a focus on this great nation, not on petty personal quibbles. When a group of the president’s rally-goers put up a noose on scaffolding outside the Capitol building and then marched through the Halls of Congress chanting Hang Mike Pence, it solves nothing to seek vengeance for that kind of intemperate action. Gosh no. What is needed, Jim, is a spirit of cooperation, a coming together, a partnership, if you will. We need to put this behind us, and get back to serving the people. As Ronald Reagan put it so beautifully, as I often say to Mother, Those who have known freedom and lost it never recognize it again. So Jim, in light of those sage words, uttered by our greatest president so many years ago, these protesters are true Americans who need our help, not our derision, and, lest we forget, the President of the United States has only 10 days left in this term. — Jan. 10, 2021