Nancy Pelosi spoke with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley, encouraging all possible measures be put in place to prevent unhinged Trump from creating military havoc during his likely scorched earth exit from the White House — including thwarting his access to employ nuclear weapons.
While it is unsure how effective this appeal can be, it was important not only as a necessary precaution, but as a message. Having this discussion and publicizing it in the press displays exactly the type of strength and certitude needed by Democrats. Actions like this, the swift call for invocation of the 25th amendment of Impeachment, and the unequivocal condemnation of Trump as a seditionist and siege inciter send a clear public message that assures the gravity of Trump’s crimes will not be minimized or forgotten, and will improve the chances, speed, and severity of any actions taken against him.
I applaud Pelosi and other leaders for this swift, strong and clear action and messaging, and am relieved that they did not immediately go to weak half-measures like Censure, as many in the media assumed they might. I hope this will continue, with demands for strong punitive action against members of Congress that supported the insurrection.