Letter: GOP senators are in the same predicament Mike Pence was in on Jan. 6

Vice President Mike Pence officiates as a joint session of the House and Senate reconvenes to confirm the Electoral College votes at the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. | Erin Schaff, The New York Times via Associated Press

On Jan. 6, 2021, President Donald Trump put Vice President Mike Pence in a no-win situation. He could nullify the election of Joe Biden, or he could fulfill his constitutional duty and a mob would come after him. The latter happened. Republican senators are in the same situation now. Either they acquit him of incitement, or they fulfill their constitutional duty and find him guilty and a mob of angry Republicans will ensure that they are voted out in the next primary election. Whether you believe that Trump incited an insurrection on Jan. 6 or not, Republican senators are in a no-win situation.

If they vote to convict Trump, they could find themselves in a primary challenge the next time they are up for election. If they vote to acquit Trump, they will anger the rest of the electorate — except in a few states like Utah — and could doom the Republican Party to a generation of irrelevancy.

What senators should do instead is what is right for America. If they vote to convict Trump, they will draw a line in the stand and let future presidents know the line should not be crossed. They should do what is right, even if they would get voted out in a party primary. Not only would this be good for the long-term health of the national Republican Party, but it might also be good for the United States.

It has been said that integrity is doing what is right when no one is looking. Integrity is also doing what is right even if the expedient consequences are not so good. Integrity is doing what is right, even if the choice is unpopular. Republican senators should have integrity.

Ben Hunt

Sandy

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