The only possible reason I can think of the impeach him beyond the obvious, he's still a threat, is that if they did so then the Senate can ban him from holding Federal office ever again which would eliminate a 2024 run etc. However, if that was the point/goal they could do that any time over the next three years. As far as I know you can be impeached even when not in office.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_in_the_United_States
Interesting. I wasn't sure so I read up. The constitution specifically says POTUS, VP, or a civil officer(Article II, Section 4). So if you are not in office you can not be impeached. Thus when Nixon resigned impeachment came to grinding halt because he was no longer POTUS. Then his pardon made further criminal pursuits pointless.
To sum up there is a very real possible goal in impeaching Trump over the next two weeks. If they could complete the process even if it only cut short his term by a few days the Senate could add on to the removal from office the optional sentence of not allowing Trump to ever hold Federal office again. That would effectively neutralize Trump as a direct threat. Although it seems to me Trump could use Jr(or a few others) as a proxy and still make their life hell.
I'm not sure if they could complete an impeachment in just 12 days though. If they swear Biden in and its not completed then I don't think it would be binding even if they completed it after the change. He's no longer POTUS. The constitution is specific. (Article II, Section 4)
The fact they have also considered the 25th Amendment points to this not being the point though. I think trump is still a threat to them and they are trying to neutralize him any way they can.
The only possible reason I can think of the impeach him beyond the obvious, he's still a threat, is that if they did so then the Senate can ban him from holding Federal office ever again which would eliminate a 2024 run etc. However, if that was the point/goal they could do that any time over the next three years. As far as I know you can be impeached even when not in office.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_in_the_United_States Interesting. I wasn't sure so I read up. The constitution specifically says POTUS, VP, or a civil officer(Article II, Section 4). So if you are not in office you can not be impeached. Thus when Nixon resigned impeachment came to grinding halt because he was no longer POTUS. Then his pardon made further criminal pursuits pointless.
To sum up there is a very real possible goal in impeaching Trump over the next two weeks. If they could complete the process even if it only cut short his term by a few days the Senate could add on to the removal from office the optional sentence of not allowing Trump to ever hold Federal office again. That would effectively neutralize Trump as a direct threat. Although it seems to me Trump could use Jr(or a few others) as a proxy and still make their life hell.
I'm not sure if they could complete an impeachment in just 12 days though. If they swear Biden in and its not completed then I don't think it would be binding even if they completed it after the change. He's no longer POTUS. The constitution is specific. (Article II, Section 4)
The fact they have also considered the 25th Amendment points to this not being the point though. I think trump is still a threat to them and they are trying to neutralize him any way they can.