Impeachment In the Final Hours of a Presidency: Is it Worth It?
No one paying attention to politics in recent years suspected President Trump to accept electoral defeat in the 2020 elections graciously. The dozens of failed lawsuits and cries of foul play fell in line with what America could have predicted. However, when armed Trump supporters, freshly riled up by the President, raided the US Capitol, causing lawmakers to hide and take cover in their offices, even some former supporters of the President began to break away from his message.
In the aftermath of the unsettling riots, many have now begun to impeach the President. Again. With mere days left before the constitutionally mandated end of his term, even those who dislike the MAGA movement may wonder whether the push to impeach is worthwhile. Some may doubt whether impeachment and removal from office will have impacts that last beyond January 20th.
Before President Trump can face the consequences of impeachment, the Senate will have to hold a trial and vote to convict him. About one year ago, the House did impeach the President, but the Senate did not vote for conviction, which is why he still holds his office. As with so much that has happened with this administration, the current situation presents some unprecedented legal questions. It seems likely that many politicians will continue to press for impeachment if they believe that there is even a chance that the move will thwart Trump’s future political ambitions. Other potential consequences might be the icing on the cake.
Denying the Post-Presidency Pension and Travel Allowance
Presidents collect a $200,000 annual pension, paid for by the American people. For Americans who were incensed by the paltry taxes that President Trump paid in the past, adding a six-figure pension to the mix might rub salt in an open wound. Cutting that pension would save $200,000 a year. The sum is a mere drop of federal funds in an ocean of expenses. However, saving $200,000 of taxpayer money a year from going into the pockets of a self-professed billionaire accused of an attempted coup will appeal to many as a good way to make a minor budget cut.
Following his term in office, President Trump also gets one million dollars a year for travel expenses. We, the taxpayers, would likely be finding a whole lot of golf outings. Paying for a former president’s trips to his own golf courses is another scenario much of America would like to avoid.
Some reports indicate that impeachment could prevent President Trump from collecting both the pension and the travel budget. However, for this to work, it seems the Senate would have to convict Trump while he is still in office. The “Former Presidents Act” bestows the pension and travel funds to a former commander-in-chief whose time in office ends without impeachment or removal. The language indicates that when the President’s term ends on January 20th, as the Constitution mandates it must, the window for preventing the benefits offered in the Act closes.
Given the time constraints, this outcome seems unlikely. Of course, even if the Senate holds a vote, it is not clear whether enough Republicans would vote in support of convicting President Trump. Perhaps recent events will lead to a few more votes, but it seems likely that the total tally will still fall short of the approximately 22 Republicans needed to add up to the required two-thirds of the Senate.
Impeachment and a Political Future
One might believe that leaving the office in disgrace after being impeached twice would make President Trump a political pariah. Of course, among his supporters, such is far from the truth.
Congress can go a step farther than inflicting bad press and a more tarnished reputation for the President. The Senate can hold a vote that would officially end the President’s political career, as in, no ability to get his name on another ticket. Cries for Trump’s 2024 campaign could end in a fizzle, and the former commander-in-chief would not have the right to run for even more modest political posts. It is important to note that this vote is not the same as the Senate’s vote to convict after the House votes for impeachment.
Given how drastically President Trump impacted American politics, many of those who currently hold office might find peace in closing the door once and for all. That alone might make the rushed efforts worthwhile for many.
Also, when it comes to preventing a second Trump administration, Congress might not have such strict time constraints. Experts differ as to whether it is possible to take such actions against a former president, but some believe nothing prevents such an act. From a logical standpoint, if the government cannot impeach a president after office, there is little deterrent for a lame duck to commit impeachable offenses on their way out of the White House. Voting to end the President’s political career might not end the MAGA movement, but for those who believe that the Republican party morphed into a personality cult, working to take away his 2024 ambitions is a worthy endeavor.
The President Will Keep Security Detail
The law providing former presidents security detail is separate from the Act which provides a pension and other benefits. It is unlikely that the government will prevent President Trump from maintaining this post-presidential perk. The security also extends to family such as the First Lady. Melania’s protections will continue unless she divorces Trump and eventually remarries. The law that details the right to this security, 18 USC Section 3056, does not include an exception based on a president’s impeachment or removal from office.
How Will Impeachment Impact Trump and Future Politics
Perhaps President Trump would not suffer for the lack of a pension and travel funds if Congress managed to prevent him from collecting those benefits. We also cannot know how seriously the President is considering a 2024 fun for the Oval Office. Still, for many lawmakers, taking action now is necessary to show that the United States will not tolerate a President who incites violence and refuses to respect the peaceful transition of power. For Democrats, forcing Republicans to take sides in the debate might also expose rifts in the GOP that opponents might exploit. The impeachment might therefore serve political purposes beyond the direct damage to the President and his brand.
