N.C. Senator Censured For Impeachment Vote

By:  Mildred Robertson

It seems that the North Carolina Republican Party is at odds with the majority of American citizens when it comes to the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. Recent surveys show that 56% of Americans supported his conviction and nearly 60 percent of North Carolinians say the former president is either responsible or somewhat responsible for the violence at the US. Capitol on January 6, 2021.  However, only 11% of North Carolina Republicans share that opinion. So on February 15th the Party moved to censure Senator Burr, one of seven Republican Senators to vote to convict the former president who incited the January 6 riot that desecrated the U.S. Capitol building, claimed 6 lives and resulted in numerous injuries. 

As we watch the dissimilation of the Republication Party, it becomes apparent that the party's demise will also negatively impact the entire country. In a February 15 article published in the Greater Diversity Magazine, John E. Finn, Professor Emeritus of Government, Wesleyan University said, “In the end, a safe and healthy constitutional democracy depends upon elected public officials and an educated citizenry that values the principles and practices of constitutional democracy more than it values political power and partisan politics.”

It became clear in the last four years that many of our elected officials lack those values and principles referred to by Finn. Further, our citizenry has failed to pursue true understanding of our Constitution but rather have been seduced by conspiracy theorists and false leaders. There is no better evidence of this than the red states, North Carolina key among them, who have chosen to punish their representatives, rather than applaud their bravery for voting to impeach the 45th president of the United States.

And it is a matter of bravery. It is commonly agreed that, were the impeachment vote held by secret ballot, well more than the needed two-thirds majority would have cast their votes to convict. But our new reality is that the former president still has sway over an unhinged MAGA crowd which has demonstrated its proclivity for violence. Even if republican legislators did not have to fear physical violence to themselves and their families, there would remain the fear of the gerrymandered vote, where few republican candidates can survive the primary without the MAGA vote. 

During his tenure, I have seldom agreed with Richard Burr. His decision was made somewhat easier in that he had already planned his departure from the legislature. It took courage none-the-less, whatever his other motives. So I applaud him for doing what was right for North Carolina and the nation. But our nation stands in jeopardy as long as the former president is left unchecked and his seditionist followers remain unpunished. This is a heavy burden being borne by the Democrats and the Biden administration. It is my prayer that more elected officials will let go of fear and overcome partisanship and the pursuit of power to promote the true principles and practices of constitutional democracy. Again, Sen. Burr, I applaud you for being one of seven who had the courage to make that choice.