Sometimes the truth must be its own reward, and it looks like the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump is headed in that direction. A block of senators has prejudged the case in spite of their oath to act as impartial jurors. Yet they cannot keep the truth from coming out.

The House impeachment managers made eloquent and careful opening presentations, but no words could ever match the stinging truth of the videos that were shown as evidence.

The mob killed one police officer and tried to kill others, beating them with anything they could use as a weapon, even a flagpole with an American flag still attached. They hunted our leaders like prey, breaking down office doors and ransacking desks in the Senate chamber.

Some focused on capturing Vice President Mike Pence, chanting “Hang Mike Pence” as they roamed the halls of government. Others, heavily armed and armored and clearly acting in concert, carried zip-tie wrist restraints. And just outside, they constructed a gallows.

It was hard to watch it again, but it was important to watch it again. Now, because of the Senate trial, it is all part of our official history — and there will be no escaping that. The senators’ votes will be part of our history, too.

If you grew up surrounded by World War II veterans, as I did, your thoughts may have turned to them as you watched the insurrection videos on television. Part of you may have been glad that they didn’t have to watch as their honor was being trampled, but be sure of this: They would have known what to do.

They dropped everything to defend American freedom, leaving behind their families and jobs and futures. They flooded recruitment centers for the opportunity to keep our foreign enemies from doing what our domestic enemies did on Jan. 6. They knew how to stand up for America.

The same cannot be said for those senators who stared at their shoes while the video played last week, too embarrassed to watch because they know what they are about to do. More fearful of losing the next election than losing their integrity, willful ignorance is their only refuge.

Josh Hawley, who along with Ted Cruz promoted the stolen election big lie, sat in the gallery above the Senate floor with his feet up on a chair, away from the the proceedings. But he can’t get far enough away. We have that indelible image of his clenched-fist salute to the traitors as they prepared to assault the Capitol.

When you have a losing case, the best thing you can do is change the subject, and President Trump’s defenders have been trying to do that. Their big argument is that this trial is unconstitutional because Trump is out of office. And sometimes they claim that he has a First Amendment right to talk like he did.

It’s all bunk. Trump’s Senate stalwarts will grab onto anything that helps them dodge the evidence and justify how they vote. And Trump will brag to the world that he beat impeachment again.

But everyone will know what really happened. The presidential election was fair and honest. And this Senate verdict was not.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)