Jonathan Chait and James Wallner on Filibusters and Impeachments

TL;DR

The House has delivered the impeachment articles to the Senate, and the debate on whether the Senate has the power to convict former officials like Donald Trump is ongoing. The Senate has also made a deal on organizing, with Mitch McConnell initially trying to secure a commitment on the filibuster from Democrats. The future of the Republican Party remains uncertain, as more moderate members retire and potential Trump-aligned candidates emerge.

Transcript

welcome to the bulwark podcast i'm charlie just a quick uh programming note uh pbs's front line has a special special tonight on trump's carnage and i make a couple of uh cameo appearances it looks like it's really really well done uh so where are we at today uh over the last uh 18 hours we had the house delivering the impeachment articles to the u... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ The debate over the Senate's power to convict former officials highlights the ongoing discussion about the scope of impeachment and accountability for public officials.
• 🤩 The deal on organizing the Senate reflects the delicate power balance in a split Senate, with the filibuster being a key consideration for Republicans.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can the Senate convict a former official like Donald Trump in an impeachment trial?

The power of the Senate to convict a former official is a matter of debate. Some believe that the Constitution allows for it, while others argue that it is not within the Senate's jurisdiction.

Q: What was the deal made on organizing the Senate?

The deal involved the Senate sharing power between Democrats and Republicans, as it is a 50-50 split. Mitch McConnell sought a commitment from Democrats on the filibuster, but ultimately backed off on that demand.

Q: How is the future of the Republican Party shaping up?

The future of the Republican Party is uncertain, as more moderate members like Rob Portman retire and potential Trump-aligned candidates emerge. There is a possibility of a shift towards more extreme positions within the party.

Q: Is there a precedent for convicting a former official in an impeachment trial?

The precedent for convicting a former official in an impeachment trial is limited, and the constitutionality of such a conviction is disputed. It is a topic that requires interpretation and debate.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The House has delivered the impeachment articles to the Senate, and a debate has ensued about whether the Senate can convict a former official like Donald Trump.

• The Senate has made a deal on organizing, with Mitch McConnell initially seeking a commitment from Democrats on the filibuster.

• The Republican Party is undergoing a shift, with more moderate members retiring and potential Trump-aligned candidates emerging.