I received the following email response from Senator Scott on February 20, 2021:
Dear Mr. Anderson,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the second impeachment trial and subsequent acquittal of former President Donald J. Trump.
The attack on the Capitol we all witnessed on January 6 was horrific and the lawless thugs who are responsible for the disgusting violence we saw do not represent America. They should all be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
For weeks, instead of addressing the serious issues facing our nation, Democrats in Congress put our work for the American people on hold and pushed forward with an unconstitutional impeachment trial. It’s time to move our nation forward and get back to work.
I am more focused than ever on battling the coronavirus pandemic, addressing our nation’s unsustainable $27 trillion debt, holding our adversaries and the brutal dictators that lead them accountable and finding real solutions that protect DACA and tackle America’s border security problem. I’ll continue fighting to make Washington work and get things done for Florida families.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I came to Washington to get something done and will continue to fight to improve the lives of every citizen in Florida
Sincerely,
Rick Scott
United States Senator
Ignoring the fact that he refers to me as “Mr.,” I felt compelled to respond as follows:
Dear Senator Scott,
Thank you for your reply.
I disagree with much of what you said in your response and the divisive slant of your remarks. If you, indeed, found the events of January 6th to be abhorrent, you should have felt compelled to hold the individual responsible for the insurrection to account by the means afforded Congress, impeachment. Impeachment of Trump was not unconstitutional as you allege. The Constitution states, “Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” The Constitution only limits what Congress can do if it convicts “the Party.” It says nothing about whether “the Party” is in office at the time of Trial. The fact that Trump was no longer president is/was a lame argument, which argument was voted down in the first part of the Impeachment Trial before the Managers even presented their case. Impeachment is, in fact, is the only remedy afforded Congress to act as a check on the executive branch when the President acts in an unlawful manner to the detriment of the United States.
You stated that you were focused on other things. Of course, there are many pressing matters that need to be addressed in our country, but at that point in time your responsibility was to listen to the evidence, which was overwhelming and incontrovertible, and to hold the ex-president accountable for the insurrection he incited. You failed by willful negligence in this duty.
Sincerely,
Arleen Anderson