Why only Democrats? Any patriots, which, I suppose, should be somehow represented among Republicans, too.

Duh, but we're obviously past the point of Republicans acting in good faith.

Some people put their conscience above their party affiliation. There's a ton of Republicans unhappy with, and even infuriated by Trump. Not many of them in Congress though.

If you are a Republican but don't like Trump, they will call you a RINO and ostracize, that's the strategy.

Why isn't anyone protesting?

Instead of rage smashing that downvote button, maybe think for a moment and answer this question?

I'd hope those currently toeing the line but know deep down we're at the point of ludicrous egregiousness would shoot their shot, if given the opportunity. I'd like to believe at least 20% of elected Republicans lack brain damage.

If they would be inclined to do so, it would already happened, here and there in small issues.

There were several prime opportunities during his last term when those elusive "deeply concerned" (remember that meme?) Republicans could have chosen to act. We could have nipped this all in the bud, convicted him during his impeachment, and moved on from all of this. But those Republicans failed to act. Now even more congressional Republicans have been primaried and replaced by MAGA sycophants. I am, regrettably, past the point of having faith that the Republicans will do the right thing "this time"

That's be nice, but I'm not holding my breath. Sad to say I'm not holding my breaths on Democrats actually doing anything about it either.

At this point, it's blatantly obvious that no one should ever file articles of impeachment without a reasonable certainty that the votes to convict exist in the Senate.

Otherwise, it's just political theater that's going to further discredit the idea of impeachment and give Trump and future Presidents more confidence that they can do anything they want and never be held to account.

> further discredit the idea of impeachment

Will it? If done correctly by the Democrats (and this is a big if), it can educate people on the current situation. A big problem right now is that a lot of people aren't fully aware how fucked up and how dangerous Trump and his cronies are.

I strongly disagree. Even if the votes aren't there, the accusation can be put on the public record. Doing nothing until there are sufficient votes is far more 'stage management' that obscures the legislative decision-making process from the public. You are asking for the appearance of consensus and dismissing actual conflict/disagreement as 'theater'.

Every failed impeachment encourages future bad actors not to worry about impeachment.