To Stop the Coup, Impeach the Traitor

Don't say Impeachment is impossible - Help make it happen! Here's how.

President Declares War on Our Democracy

Our response must be equal to the severity of the threat.

For the last several days, the progressive commentariat has been preoccupied with discussing whether or not the United States government is in the midst of a genuine coup d’état, i.e., an illegitimate seizure of power. This is not only a pointless academic exercise, it distracts attention from the far more relevant indisputable truth: The President of the United States is engaged in the systematic destruction of vital government institutions, each of which has been painstakingly built and nourished for generations.

We can draw hope and inspiration from the growing activism of citizens, the filing of multiple lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s actions, several courts issuing restraining orders, and Democratic legislators leading opposition efforts in Congress. But regardless of the ultimate disposition of court cases or parliamentary maneuvers, the damage has been done. And it is devastating to both democratic governance and civil society. Moreover, there is no end in sight.

Both the President and the Vice President have suggested their intent to continue refusing to abide by the law, and to disregard constraints imposed by the Judicial Branch of government.

Whether this is a coup d’état, a Constitutional Crisis, or as one writer described it, a crime spree, we can not allow it to continue. It is woefully insufficient to just impede their lawless behavior. They must be permanently removed from power.

Only Impeachment remedies violating the Oath of Office

Fortunately, the founders anticipated the eventuality that corrupt individuals might rise to high positions within the ranks of federal officers. So they wisely included in the Constitution, Section 4 of Article II:

“The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

While treason and bribery are quite specific offenses, the term “high Crimes and Misdemeanors” is meant to include a wide range of possible behavior that would warrant impeachment. It is the category that most readily applies in this case. In their commentary on the Impeachment clause of the Constitution, the Library of Congress explains as follows:

• “While the meaning of treason and bribery is relatively clear, the scope of high crimes and misdemeanors lacks a formal definition and has been fleshed out over time, in a manner perhaps analogous to the common law, through the practice of impeachments in the United States Congress. The type of behavior that qualifies as impeachable conduct, and the circumstances in which impeachment is an appropriate remedy for such actions, are thus determined by, among other things, competing political interests, changing institutional relationships among the three branches of government, and legislators’ interaction with and accountability to the public.^. The weight of historical practice, rather than judicial precedent, is thus central to understanding the nature of impeachment in the United States.”

In other words, unlike a criminal indictment, Articles of Impeachment need not cite any particular statute that the President and Vice President have breached. This is implied in Article I, Section 3:

“Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States.”

What matters is not what laws they have violated, but that they have failed to faithfully serve in the office to which they were entrusted. Or to put it more simply, if the House and Senate have the will to impeach and convict, they can unquestionably do so with dispatch.

In this war, Impeachment is the only weapon we have that is both definitively effective and readily deployed.

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It’s crucial that we not surrender in advance.

Among our progressive colleagues, it’s generally accepted without question that Impeachment can never happen because there are Republican majorities in the House and Senate. But as with the discussion about the elements of a coup d’état, once again they are missing the point. The battlefield is not static.

Every day sees a new assault on institutions that the people depend on. And every day sees a growing demand for their protection. Maintaining that “we don’t have the votes to impeach” is conceding defeat before even attempting to affect the outcome.

This is no time to be making concessions. It is time to identify options. It is time to mobilize resources in pursuit of victory. Activists across the country are pleading for direction, hungry for ways to join the struggle and defend the Republic.

The Republican majority is exceedingly fragile and the GOP is riven into bitterly opposed factions. The divisions were vividly exposed during the 118th Congress when Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from office and multiple ballots were required to elect his successor. Their differences have been temporarily papered over in an attempt to form a unified governing majority in the 119th Congress.

But the reality of a rogue criminal MAGA Republican President is reopening wounds within the party. As they see firmly established Congressional prerogatives being systematically eroded, traditional conservative Republicans are likely to question their continued fealty to a President displaying contempt for their long and deeply-held faith in American institutions. This will be an opportunity we can, and will, exploit so long as we commit to not surrendering in advance.

The House of Representatives is the front line in the President’s war on Democracy. With the Supreme Court having abdicated it’s authority over his criminality, only Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, has the power to rein in the Chief Executive. And the House of Representative is precisely where our Feathers of Hope network has focused its activism since its launch in January 2023. It’s up to us to take the lead, laying the groundwork now for an inevitable showdown to come.

• First, we need to convince the doubters on our own side that Impeachment is not only possible, it’s the only conclusive solution to this “constitutional crisis”. Anything less than removal of both the President and the Vice-President only prolongs the struggle.

• Second, we will need to recruit Republican allies in the House to join us in the preservation of democracy and the rule of law. Their participation is essential to success. Impeachment and conviction requires bipartisanship. That effort begins now.

Once again, do not surrender in advance.

1. Since the current Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-LA) is complicit in the attack, he must first be removed and replaced by a majority vote of the Members.

   Unlike in 2023, according to Rules for the 119th Congress passed last month, a motion to “vacate the chair” requires agreement by nine members of the Speaker’s own party in order to be brought to a vote. While this may today appear to provide a wall of protection for the Speaker, it is not an insurmountable obstacle. Growing economic and social insecurity as a result of the President’s illegal actions can be expected to quickly increase pressure on Congress to end the crisis.

2. There already exists in the House a de facto bipartisan alliance which has previously provided more than enough votes to raise the debt ceiling, approve military assistance to Ukraine and continue funding to avert government shutdowns.

   Member of this alliance must be implored to once again come to the rescue of their country. While enormously more consequential, it should ultimately be an easier task than before, as they will also be acting to protect their own continued role as a co-equal branch of government.

3. Great care must be exercised when choosing Mr. Johnson’s successor as that person will ascend to the Presidency upon the impeachment and conviction of Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance.

So What Can We Do Today, Right Now?

There is no viable path other than that outlined above to decisively repel the forces currently overwhelming our defenses. The President has made it blindingly obvious that there will be no negotiation or compromise. Our only choice is to mount a vigorous counter-attack at his most vulnerable point: the right flank, where there are already fractures between the MAGA and “Traditional Republican” factions of the GOP.

If the institutions of government that have evolved in this country over the last two centuries are to survive, they must be fully brought to bear against the enemy with all the power they can summon. Any reluctance or hesitation at this point invites the total downfall of our democracy.

Raise your voice! Help create momentum.

There are two avenues to inspire a movement for Impeachment.

1. Raise the subject repeatedly on social media and in the comments sections of publishing platforms like Substack.

   Those forums are highly influential in framing the narrative of resistance and opposition, as well as channeling the energy of activists wanting to Do Something!

   Working to bring about Impeachment is doing something; it’s concrete and potentially the only effective path to victory. Suggest helping to build support for Impeachment at every opportunity. This post provides the background and factual information needed to counter those who continue to argue that Impeachment would be a futile gesture.

2. Directly contact Members of the House of Representatives to persuade them to take the steps necessary to initiate Impeachment.

   As noted above, it’s most important to appeal to “traditional Republicans” if this effort is to succeed. So long as only Democrats are supportive, nothing will happen.

   Fortunately, it is the traditional conservatives who are most likely to have a life-long loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law. So as this president’s blatantly illegal conduct becomes ever harder to deny, their willingness to put country first is ever more likely to grow, especially as they hear from angry, frightened constituents. They are all politicians, and when pressure rises they react.

Here are three influential Republican moderates to call.

Although nine Republican votes will be needed to remove Mike Johnson from the Speakership, at this time we should concentrate on making multiple contacts to just a few Members known for promoting bipartisanship. If persuaded to consider joining Democrats in the Impeachment effort, each of these can be expected to bring at least a few colleagues into the movement with them. That too builds momentum.

Keep in mind that we’ll disagree with them on most policy issues. Policy issues reflect the differences between parties, and are what divides us. Commitment to the institutions of government, where our differences are debated, is what unites us as a democracy.

Phone calls are the easiest way to communicate, and a daily count is maintained in most offices so every call matters. But letters can be especially effective if carefully worded to sound both reasonable and respectful. In general, the aides who answer the phone are polite and welcoming so long as callers are courteous. Complimenting the Member’s influence and respect for bipartisan solutions is a good way to help keep the conversation positive.

(Tip: Some automated systems require entering your zip code to screen calls for district constituents only. In that case, I enter the district office zip. But if asked in person for residence information, I explain that I’m not their constituent. But I’m calling about a matter that affects all districts, and I recognize the extent of their influence.)

Don Bacon: (202) 225-4155 D.C. —— (402) 938-0300 District Office

• 2104 Rayburn House Office Building —Washington, DC 20515

• District Office: 3906 Gold Circle, Suite 101 — Omaha, NE 68144

Don Bacon is probably the most bipartisan Representative in the House. He has represented Nebraska’s 2nd District in Congress since 2017. A former Brigadier General in the United States Air Force, he has earned four Master’s degrees, including one from the National War College. After retiring from the military he was Assistant Professor at University of Bellevue (Nebraska) until elected to the House.

Mr. Bacon’s Omaha area district has long voted for Democratic presidential candidates (carried by Pres. Biden 52% to 46%, Harris 51% to 47%), and so he’s not really vulnerable to a primary challenge from MAGA. He opposed efforts to overturn the 2020 election and voted with Democrats to establish the January 6 Commission. He also was one of 13 Republicans to vote with Democrats for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

In late 2022, Rep. Bacon said that if Kevin McCarthy did not have enough votes to become the next Speaker, he’d be willing to “work with like-minded people across the aisle to find someone agreeable for Speaker.”

Brian Fitzpatrick: (202) 225-4276 D.C. —— (215) 579-8102 District Office

• 271 Canon House Office Building - Washington, DC 20515

• District Office: 1717 Langhorne Newtown Rd. Suite 225 — Langhorne, PA 19047

Brian Fitzpatrick is another well-respected centrist Republican leader. He is co-chair with Democrat Thomas Suozzi (D-NY) of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, and has represented Pennsylvania’s 1st District, in Congress since 2017. Formerly an FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor, he was embedded with U.S. Special Forces in Iraq.

The Pennsylvania 1st is a swing district (carried by Pres. Biden 52% to 46%, Harris 47.9% to 47.4%) of suburbs just North of Philadelphia. In 2020, Mr. Fitzpatrick said he could not vote for Donald Trump and opposed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He also opposed the GOP effort to repeal Obamacare, opposed building the border wall, and supports the Paris climate agreement. In 2023 he was appointed to the United States Group of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly (legislators from NATO-member countries working together on global security issues).

David Joyce: (202) 225-5731 D.C. —— (440) 352-3939 District Office

• 2065 Rayburn House Office Building -- Washington, DC 20515

• District Office: 8500 Station Street, Suite 390 — Mentor, OH 44060

David Joyce represents Ohio’s 14th District, extending from Youngstown to Lake Erie along the Pennsylvania border. Formerly a public defender, and then a prosecutor, he has been in Congress since 2012.

In 2017 he voted against repeal of Obamacare, and he opposed the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. As co-chair of the bipartisan Cannabis Caucus, Mr. Joyce favors letting each State decide legality. He supports bipartisan efforts for environmental clean-up of water resources (rivers and lakes). He was chairman of the moderate Republican Governance Group from 2022 to 2025. During balloting for Speaker in 2023, Bill Clinton’s Labor Secretary Robert Reich proposed that a cross-party alliance should consider electing Representative Joyce as Speaker.

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If you have the time, you might also want to call House Democratic leaders to register your support for Impeachment. The more often they hear voters calling for it, the sooner they will take necessary steps to begin the process.

• Minority Leader: Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), 202-225-5936

• Minority Whip: Katherine Clark (D-MA), 202-225-2836

• Caucus Chair: Pete Aguilar (D-CA), 202-225-3201

• Speaker Emerita: Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), 202-225-4965

Remember, the goal at this time is to build momentum.

Don’t just resist. Fight back. Start now.

This is a network of ordinary citizens. In a democracy, we exercise our power by raising our voices. To be silent is to be powerless.