‘Face the music.’ Thanks to the Senate, Trump is emboldened to meddle even more.

Anyone expecting humility, contrition or reconciliation from the reality star-in-chief following his Senate acquittal is choking on crow. The last speech still echoed in the Senate chamber when the diatribe of verbal cannibalism commenced. The first venue, the National Prayer Breakfast, where evangelicals are among his most ardent followers and one of the President’s favorite props when feigning morality. Immediately following the keynote “Jesus Said Love your Enemies”, without turning a cheek, a glib President mocked, belittled and vilified those who challenged his regime’s crimes.

Vengeance is mine, sayeth Trump and the purge commenced. LTC Alexander Vindman was the first casualty escorted out of the White House complex but that was not enough humiliation to anchor an aching narcissist’s ego. The Purple Heart recipient’s reputation must be annihilated to cover the bruises truth inflicted upon the President’s thin skin. The President’s eldest son suggested Vindman return to Ukraine. Junior shares his father’s affinity for nonsensical commentary about things he cannot comprehend or inherit. In this case, the oath of an Army officer – Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Junior’s sticks and stones can’t touch that.

Following the acquittal show, master of the Star Chamber, Senator Mitch McConnell, revived his standard cliché “this was the most partisan of exercises”. On this the Senator and I agree. In spite of the damning evidence before him, McConnell corralled his GOP co-conspirators and wrote the sheet music from which they would all sing. Evading the facts and playing partisan notes over and over would drown out the chorus of truth. Senator McConnell composed the partisan songbook, refining it over years navigating his power. During an East Wing acquittal recital, the chief Senate conspirator received high praise from the guilty party and standing ovation from his believers for superb work in undermining the republic. The Majority Leader went to great lengths, excluding branding the letter T on his forehead, defending the culpable President. In public he said very little regarding the President’s actions. In private, it is unlikely that a politician with McConnell’s discipline and savvy would respect an unstudied and witless President. The horror of this paradox is that the Senate Majority Leader chooses to protect his gavel and party at the expense of pushing our country toward absolutism.

Having worked with the military in some capacity throughout my career, I personally observed Service members’ deep love for their country and strict adherence to the chain of command. It would take the most egregious breach of national security for a military officer to challenge a superior, especially knowing they would face a barrage of criticism and reprisals. Selflessly, LTC Vindman honored his vow to protect and defend and reported the President’s unlawful conduct to his boss. Following his congressional testimony, LTC Vindman faced death threats, misinformation and conspiracy theories questioning his patriotism. After he survived an improvised explosive device in Iraq, he likely didn’t expect his greatest enemies would attack from within his own government.

Current presidential infractions are now owned by a Senate who failed their constitutional obligations during a national crises. By cowing the legislative branch, the President is now emboldened to meddle within the judiciary. The chief architect of presidential enabling, Senator McConnell, continues the business of the Senate with a partisan stranglehold, while the President launches wrecking balls at 243 years of democracy.

So yes, this was a most egregious partisan exercise that history will record, along with Senator McConnell’s brilliance in protecting a guilty and farcical president. In November, Kentuckians have an opportunity to change our President and one Senator. It should not be a referendum on Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives, but resuscitating our pledge of allegiance to “One Republic under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all”. If we are unsuccessful, we may all face the music.

Mary Woodward is a Republican who served 13 years within the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. She currently resides in Lexington.