Dutch -- Don't lump "the media" into one stereotype. We have far left media and far right media and everything in-between plus social media, conspiracy theory media, religious media, etc. etc.

The point is that people look for what they "want to believe" and they can certainly find that by browsing. I go back to the cultures that people grow up in. Right now we seem to have a good dosage of Christian Nationalism mixed in with white supremacy. They are doing what they believe in. It certainly qualifies as a cult as well.

Most media came about to fill a need for their respective political and cultural tribes. But the crazy beliefs were there already just waiting for the "right media" to support their beliefs. Oh and they all make money selling their respective brands of Kool Aide. If they didn't make money, their Kool Aide stands would cease to exist.

It will be worrisome for Biden and Democrats because for the hard core they really believe they are doing "God's work" and that Trump was sent by God. You cannot change those brains easily...maybe never. Many have pledged to die for Trump or drink the "Kool Aide".

Rep Lauren Boebert, Colorado's "Annie Oakley", defiantly maintained her right to open carry into the House chamber. She was unsuccessful but still carried her Glock to her Capitol office. She is one of the Reps who gave guided tours to some of the insurgents the day before the attempted coup. I saw a FB photo of her with a group of them the day before.

On the day of the coup she was one of those barricaded in the House chamber and expressed regret that she didn't have her gun with her for protection. Protection from who?? Those were her Qanon supporters that were tearing up the Capitol lobby, spreading their feces on the walls, clubbing a policeman to his death and yelling "lynch Mike Pence".

It would appear to me that she might hold back at least for a short period of time to get Biden's top cabinet choices approved. That would also allow time for more evidence to emerge of Trump's role in the insurrection. Of course, theoretically the House members presenting the case for conviction to the Senate should only use the evidence presented to the House...which in this case was testimonies from House members. It is unclear what objections might be raised by Senate Republicans, but if McConnell wants Trump removed from his backyard forever he will have to go down the conviction route and allow some relaxation of rules.

Any new evidence will likely be made available to the media long before the Senate trial, and therefore Trump will be tried in the court of public opinion before the official trial. That would ease the pressure on Republican Senators worried about retribution if they vote to convict.

Why Remove Trump Now? A Guide to Trump's Impeachment, discusses the various possible courses of action. To briefly summarize:

The Senate trial does not start until Nancy Pelosi submits the House impeachments charge to the Senate. There is no specified timetable that she needs to follow.

However, once she submits the impeachment charge to the Senate, it must immediately take up the issue. "Under rules in place for decades, impeachment is the only issue the Senate can consider while a trial is underway; it cannot simultaneously consider other legislative business."

Biden has asked McConnell whether it would be possible to alter that rule, allowing the Senate to "conduct the impeachment trial on a parallel track to consideration of his cabinet nominees, splitting its days between the two. McConnell will consult with the Senate parliamentarian on whether that would be possible.

"If such a bifurcated process were not possible, House Democrats might choose to hold back the article to allow Mr. Biden time to win confirmation of his team before a trial got underway."

"Conviction in an impeachment trial would not automatically disqualify Mr. Trump from future public office. But if the Senate were to convict him, the Constitution allows a subsequent vote to bar an official from holding “any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.”"

"That vote would require only a simple majority of senators. Such a step could be an appealing prospect not just to Democrats, but also to many Republicans who either have set their sights on the presidency themselves or are convinced that it is the only thing that will purge Mr. Trump from their party."

==============================

What seems to be unclear in some of the media reports is whether Congress can still bar him from office under the 14th Amendment, Section 3 Clause if he is not convicted. Some of the media pundits seem to think that they can. Some confusion in the reporting...needs more clarity.

Getting back on topic, this NYT article is about Heather.

Heather Cox Richardson Offers a Break From the Media Maelstrom. It’s Working.

Dutch -- You make a good point, but remember that these clowns are not representative of the whole country. They are a very vocal minority that has more clout because of gerrymandering and the electoral college system. People vote their emotions and many really don't care about qualifications. It's more about identity...who they identify with.

So background checks that reveal crime makes little difference to the anarchists on the far right. Those white supremacist Trump supporters view cheating the IRS as a badge of honor. One women seen in a Trump rally crowd had a T-shirt that said, "He can grab my..." with an arrow pointing down to her crotch. These Qanon conspiracy theorist, anarchists populate our landscape everywhere...even in Europe. They are a big worry for the Biden administration. I don't expect them to go away with the fall of their leader...it might only embolden them further.

However, it will be interesting to watch what happens to them if they start getting fined and jailed in big numbers and Trump has not pardoned any of them before leaving office. Many expect pardons...difficult decision for Trump. Throw them under the bus, or pardon them and keep them in his fold for more fund raising for a second term. That's why Pelosi and Schumer have to get Congress to invoke the 14th Amendment, Section 3 to bar him from holding office ever again...and hence cut his fund raising. That action only requires a simple majority, and McConnell for one will be happy to go along and purge him out of the Republican Party.

Heather Cox Richardson has discussed these possibilities in her FB posts shared by Arizona.

Dutch -- Biden has zero power to remove Lindsey Graham or any other Senator or Representative. Furthermore, he cannot just remove any career government official. He does not have the power. He can remove cabinet heads and other purely political appointees, but civil servants are protected by regulations. It takes time to remove them. Trump has been trying to undo those protections in his last months in office:

Trump order strips workplace protections from civil servants

Our president is not a king. We have three co-equal branches of government. Most workers are protected.