David’s Reviews > Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy > Status Update

Interesting inside looks at how the impeachment trial was worked on and what possible arguments were considered, some being used later but others rejected, all described in sufficient detail. Some of the explanations made the events of J6 more chilling and serious to me, and I feel like I've stayed fairly up on what happened. Evil stuff, the worst of which we dodged by a very small amount.

In the aftermath of J6 and his son's suicide, Raskin reasons how best to deal with the president and his actions. Much of this chapter is explaining the 25th amendment and its intricacies, which is helpful for understanding the options. Also a great explanation of tfg's violations of the emoluments clause - unbelievable that he wasn't impeached for that alone.

A very personal tale of what happened on J6, including thoughts of his son just a day after his memorial, quotes from Lincoln and Orwell, notes about a 25th amendment clarification bill he introduced in his first year (2017), and his anger at hearing Gaetz gaslight after the house session resumed after the insurrection.

Just finished part one, that I might describe as a love letter about his son that committed suicide after struggling with anxiety and depression. Many touching stories here, about running for office, attending protests, family activities, school projects, and more. Lots of survivor guilt - could I have done something more? Or should I have done less of _that possibly annoying thing_? At once sad and celebratory.