Impeachment, Coronavirus, and Pardons: President Trump’s Final Days

via RNC Calendar

Ryan Mansfield

via RNC Calendar

Ryan Mansfield, Reporter

The Trump presidency has definitely been a memorable one. There have been ups and downs throughout his four years in office, but one thing is certain, Republicans and Democrats have definitely moved further apart on the political spectrum. Now that President Trump’s term is over, many things are still going on in the White House that could impact the future as well as the future of President Trump’s political career.

 

via RNC Calendar (Ryan Mansfield)

In the United States today, the COVID-19 pandemic is still the most pressing concern facing America.  With the new vaccine out across the country, there is a concern about when people will be receiving their shots. In his final days, President Trump is trying to get as many vaccines administered as possible to help our nation heal and get rid of this pandemic. In a press conference, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said, “We’re telling states today that they should open vaccinations to all of their most vulnerable people. That is the most effective way to save lives now.” 

 

This new strategy should be able to get the vaccine administered to the ones that need it most which will then help the citizens with less of a concern about the virus. On January 19th, President Trump’s last full day in office, the United States sadly recorded its 400,000th death from COVID-19. On a brighter note, according to an article by Newsweek, “Trump Leaves Office With 13.5 Million Americans Vaccinated for COVID” which is a great number of Americans.

Just as it looked like President Trump’s final days would be quiet, a large number of his supporters rallied at the Capital. This was a planned event by the President, which was like one of his campaign rallies. This event started like any other Trump rally, but it soon turned violent. A mob of angry supporters stormed the Capital Building while Congress was certifying election results. While broadcasting live from the Capital, CBS reporter Grace Segers said, “Things have been really scary.” Segers was inside the Capital when the mob broke in. President-Elect Joe Biden released a statement saying, “Those who massed on Capitol Hill intending to disrupt a joint session of Congress that was certifying Biden’s election victory over Trump “weren’t protesters. Don’t dare call them protesters. They were a riotous mob — insurrectionists, domestic terrorists. It’s that basic,” President-Elect Biden does not feel as if these acts were justified and neither does the majority of America. During the riots, President Trump condemned the violence in a now blocked Twitter video in which he also calls the rioters “special people” which some say helped incite the violence. After the riots were over President Trump further condemned the violence in a video saying,  “I cannot emphasize that there must be no violence, no lawbreaking, and no vandalism of any kind. Everyone must follow our laws and obey the instructions of law enforcement.”

via News Magazine

Trump also made history the other day as the first president to be impeached twice. The second impeachment charge was for inciting insurrection coming after the mob violence in the Capital. Many politicians believe that the violence was the President’s fault. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who was one of President Trump’s greatest allies, said at the Capitol, that the mobs were “provoked by the President and other powerful people,” This statement is very historic because it could mean that President Trump could be convicted in the Senate barring him from running for public office again. President Trump has remained quiet on the topic of impeachment.

 

President Trump, who was expected to pardon himself as well as his family during his last day in office, did just the opposite. According to an article by CNN, “President Donald Trump issued a raft of 11th-hour pardons and commutations early Wednesday that included his onetime political strategist, a former top fundraiser, and two well-known rappers but not himself or his family.” Among those that were pardoned were Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne. President Trump did not pardon himself.

President Trump chose not to attend  President Biden’s inauguration and will instead be heading to Florida. In one of his last tweets, he was allowed to send out, President Trump said, “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.”  This is quite historic because it has been over 100 years since an outgoing president did not attend his successor’s inauguration. Even though President Trump is breaking this tradition, he did not break one inauguration day tradition. According to an article by USA Today, President Trump  “ left a letter for President-elect Joe Biden.” Vice President Mike Pence will be attending the inauguration.

 

Ryan Mansfield

President Trump will have a lasting legacy in America and for some a good one and for others a bad one. Just today, President Trump reassured his supporters that, “we will be back in some form.” As a new President is inaugurated, America hopes for the new administration’s success. According to an article by Bloomberg News, President Trump is also hoping for their success. He said,  “This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous.” Let us hope that the new administration has wonderful success for America.