Rioters prepare a noose for Mike Pence. Photo credit: The Seattle Times

Among the traditions of our uniquely American peaceful transition of power is the introspection of the outgoing political party. Just as Democrats wrung their hands four years ago and analyzed why they lost and how they could win again, Republicans are doing the same after Joe Biden’s inauguration today — even more so after the events of January 6.

I have argued several times on this blog that Trump and Trumpism can only be addressed from within the Republican Party. Nothing the Democrats or “liberal media” can say or do will make a difference. Every argument has been made, every piece of evidence presented, every moral and ethical calling beseeched, and, yet, blind, unwavering fealty to Trump has persisted in defining the modern Republican Party.

Republican leadership has always had an uneasy feeling about Trump since he first came down the escalator in 2015. Though establishment Republicans resisted at first, the “Never Trump” contingent was quickly marginalized. As Trump showed he could activate a base of voters previously inaccessible to Republicans, the Faustian bargain was codified — traditional Republicans would turn the other way over the racism, sexism, isolationism, trade wars, and deficit spending, as long as Trump delivered tax cuts and conservative judges.

But like every Trump enterprise, collapse of this precarious partnership was inevitable. Just as Trump turned on them, Republicans must take this opportunity to permanently purge Trump and Trumpism from the party. Because Trump only cares about himself, every Republican who joined his governing coalition, whether reluctantly or zealously, was ultimately be betrayed:

For those who mistook loyalty to Trump as loyalty to their party and principles, like Mike Pence, the President incited his mob to bring a gallows to the Capitol with chants of “Hang Mike Pence” as the Vice President fled with his family.

For those who sought opportunistically to advance a political agenda, like Mitch McConnell, Trump has exhausted his useful life and damaged the institutions they have dedicated their lives to serve.

For those who tried to serve in his administration, like John Bolton, William Barr, Stephen Bannon and countless others, they were quickly cast aside the moment their allegiance showed any weakness.

For those who sycophantically sought to exploit Trump’s political base as their own, like Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, they will soon realize inheriting a cult of personality is difficult, and that they need Trump out of the picture anyway if they ever hope to grab the reins of power for themselves.

For those who won political office by mimicking Trump’s message and behavior, that political affiliation may quickly do more to hurt you than help you — as shown by the Senate run-off elections in Georgia.

For those who thought they would personally profit, like Rudy Giuliani, they will find their bills will go unpaid.

For those voters who thought they were getting a wall or or “winning” trade deals or overturning Obamacare, they are realizing they didn’t get any of that — and that maybe none of it mattered much to Trump anyway.

Even for those protestors who believed Trump’s pledge that "I’ll be there with you” in their siege of the Capitol, they saw him for what he is — a reality TV host watching the uprising from the comfort of his White House office.

For anyone in his party who dared to denounce his behavior, failed to support his edicts, or even just tried to temper his worst impulses, they were mercilessly attacked and insulted as “losers,” “pathetic” and “RINOs” — many received death threats. What Republican elected official hasn’t cowered in fear of Trump’s wrath?

Not only were all these Republican constituencies betrayed, the costs of their moral compromise turned out to be much greater than anyone could have imagined. How much damage can he do? I heard from so many conservative friends who voted for him. Turns out, quite a bit. Our economy is off the rails, our nation’s standing in the world is diminished, and our country is politically fractured. Over 400,000 Americans are dead from coronavirus, eleven million Americans are unemployed, and the only action from our aggrieved former president was to insight a violent right-wing mob to attempt a coup on our democracy.

Now is the time for every Republican to take back their party. To divorce themselves from a dysfunctional allegiance to a demagogue who has pushed our country and our institutions to the brink. To purge a malevolent strain of hatred, bigotry and violence before it consumes the entire party. To assemble a new coalition that doesn’t rely on disinformation, xenophobia and white supremacy as the source of its power.

So far, the contrition within the party has been timid and temporary, still suppressed from years of castigation. Most remain loyal even to Trump’s ghost. But, in the wake of the most shocking displays of Trumpism, there are some hopeful signs that a reckoning is finally coming. As if emerging from an abusive relationship, Republican leaders are gradually finding their voice, their moral courage, and their political bearings — from the senior-most Republican Senator, Mitch McConnell, to the most junior, newly-elected Republican Representatives, like Peter Meijer. As the specter of Trump and his Twitter account fade, maybe more Republicans will realize that definitively putting an end to Trumpism through impeachment is not only the morally responsible thing to do, but the politically wise move as well.

Predictably, the Trump Administration is ending the way all his business endeavors have ended — with betrayal, acrimony, dishonor, lawsuits, abdication of responsibility, and accusations of criminal behavior. Leaving in its wake a smoldering crater of dysfunction and, too often, no recriminations for Trump himself. Thankfully, we have survived — so far. But part of our introspection must be how to avoid this from ever happening again. While a trial to impeach a president who is already out of office may seem pointless to some, it is a crucial step to prevent Trump from ever holding political office again, to heal our nation, and to revive the soul of the Republican Party.

Republicans' Chance