12 days before his departure, several options are open to Trump
To be removed from power, to resign, to be discreet or to free oneself from all conventions? Several scenarios emerge for the last 12 days of Donald Trump's mandate after the coup by his supporters on Capitol Hill.
- "You are fired!" -
Democrats, editorialists and even a few Republican voices want to immediately dismiss Donald Trump, a shame for the one who, as a reality TV host, liked to throw to the candidates: "You are fired!"
They urge Vice-President Mike Pence to activate the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which allows a president deemed "unfit" to be sidelined to perform his duties.
Loyal Mike Pence is not in favor, however, according to US media.
To act, it would also need the support of a majority of members of the government, which seems impossible, especially after the departure of two ministers troubled by the violence on Wednesday.
- A second "impeachment" -
If Mike Pence does not act, Congress will initiate new impeachment proceedings.
An indictment for "incitement to insurgency" could be introduced in the House of Representatives on Monday, according to media.
To dismiss Donald Trump, he would then have to be found guilty by two-thirds of the Senate, which has no chance of happening before Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20.
Still, a second "impeachment", after the failure of an impeachment trial in early 2020, would leave an indelible mark on his record: no American president has suffered this infamy.
- To resign -
The Wall Street Journal, owned by magnate Rupert Murdoch who was an ally of Donald Trump, called on him to "take personal responsibility and resign". "It's better for everyone, including himself, if he goes away quietly," wrote his columnists.
"I want him to resign. I want to see him go. He has caused enough damage," said Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, a moderate, in an interview with Anchorage Daily News. "It's the right thing to do, but I'm not sure he's capable of doing the right thing," she added.
Despite his change of tone on Thursday, the president did not make the connection between his fiery appeals to his supporters and their coup in the seat of Congress. Little inclined to self-criticism, it would indeed be surprising if he followed this advice.
- Vacation in Florida -
Those he still listens to "should tell President Trump to leave town: take Air Force One, go to Mar-a-Lago and stay there," Barack Obama's former homeland security minister said on NPR , Jeh Johnson.
"The less the president will do during the next twelve days, the better it will be," also said Republican Senator Ben Sasse on the airwaves of this radio.
Golf enthusiast, Donald Trump owns many properties in Florida, Virginia, but also in Scotland, where he has already spent a lot of time during his presidency. He could go there again. The outgoing president has also been deprived of his second favorite occupation since Friday: tweeting. The platform has announced that it is permanently suspending its account.
- Rushing ahead -
Donald Trump, who before these events had mentioned a new presidential candidacy in 2024, may not have given up. He could then be tempted to use the last days of his mandate to solidify his electoral base.
Despite his promises to ensure a "smooth" transition, he said he would not attend the investiture ceremony of his successor, unheard of since 1869.
According to media reports, he is preparing a visit to the southern border next week to praise his firmness in migration policy. He would also consider giving an end-of-term interview which, without a script, could reflect his usual diatribes and conspiracy theories.
According to several media, he has also inquired in recent weeks from his advisers on the possibility of granting himself a presidential pardon.
