Chris Truax

Opinion columnist

After the last few weeks, you might think we’re past the point of needing an impeachment investigation and need a family intervention instead. President Donald Trump and his often deranged surrogates seem to have decided that if he is going to be impeached, it’s going to be big-league. Huge! The most beautiful impeachment ever!

But while there’s a madness to Trump’s method, there’s a method nonetheless. It’s the final act in the corruption of the Republican Party. Trump stood in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue and shot the Constitution, and now he’s daring Republicans to call him on it. If they will not, he knows he will own them forever, no matter what he might do in the future.

His shamelessness has removed all ambiguity and shredded the usual fig leaves his supporters use to excuse his actions. He's not pretending that he didn't ask Ukraine to do opposition research for his 2020 campaign. He revels in it and thinks it's "beautiful." He's not pretending that foreign governments aren't pouring money into his hotels in the hopes of buying some influence with him. Foreign leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tell him so. He's not pretending that he's not doing his best to steer taxpayer dollars to his company and profit from his office, the very definition of corruption. He doesn't think there's anything wrong with that, and he's outraged that political pressure forced him to move the summit of the Group of Seven major industrial nations from his Florida resort.

Republicans are now left with a simple choice. Do they swear eternal fealty to Trump and fully become his creatures, without hope of redemption or reprieve? Or do they stand up for the rule of law and principles, like the sanctity of U.S. elections, that they espoused until very recently?

Why sacrifice integrity for Trump?

While they ponder this choice, they should consider what would happen if their project were somehow successful and Trump manages to finish his term and even get reelected. Should that occur, Trump will know that congressional Republicans will accept any outrage without demur. He will also be unconstrained by the prospect of the next election.

In other words, Republicans will look back with fond regret on the restrained and statesman-like President Trump of 2019. It’s entirely possible that 2021 Trump will humiliate them just for his own amusement. Bullies often do. Is that really a future they are willing to accept?

Personally, I cannot fathom why being in Congress would be worth sacrificing your last shreds of dignity and integrity while knowing that history will remember you with utter embarrassment. And yet, that’s what many Republicans seem to be willing to do. Watching people I have admired for many years contradict themselves from one day to the next simply because Trump commands them to do so is immensely sad, not just for me but for the country — and for them.

Whatever they may think of his policies, it’s hard to believe that most congressional Republicans are thrilled that their leader is a foul-mouthed troll — and a none-too-bright troll, at that. Do even the president’s most committed congressional followers really believe that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “hates" America? That’s the way we used to talk about al-Qaida.

Republicans need more courage

By some estimates, 35 Republican senators would vote to remove Trump if there were a secret ballot. But there are far too many Republicans in the “vote no, hope yes” caucus. There are even more in the “keep your mouth shut and your head down” caucus. This has to stop. These people can no longer free-ride on the political courage of the rest of the Republican Party, because there isn’t any.

Bigger than the president:Impeachment isn't just about Trump. It's about stopping the Republicans who enabled him.

To grasp their final chance at redemption, congressional Republicans need not necessarily conclude that Trump must be impeached and removed from office. But they do need to stop considering their short-term political interests and start considering the country’s long-term interests. Allowing a president to abuse his office for political and personal gain cannot be tolerated. American justice is impartial.

When the president pushes anyone to investigate an American citizen for political gain and encourages a foreign country to interfere in an American election, it’s wrong. Republicans need to stand up and rebuke the president.

Not a Netflix series or spectator sport

It’s our duty to help congressional Republicans find the courage to do what needs to be done. The past few weeks have been nothing if not dramatic, but we’re not binge-watching a new Netflix series, and this isn’t a spectator sport. When history is written, what we did as individual citizens will matter, too.

Editorial Board:Forget Trump, Republicans. Save the GOP for the sake of the party

Here is a thumbnail guide to political activism. Calling is better than writing. But writing a letter or sending an email is a lot better than doing nothing. It’s easier to speak with someone by calling your representative’s or senator’s local office. But calling the Capitol switchboard and asking to be put through to your representative or senator’s office is good, too. That number is (202) 224-3121. You can also look up your representative’s contact information at House.gov just by entering your ZIP code.

When you call, give your representatives and senators a simple message: Say you are a constituent and you expect them to publicly tell President Trump that asking a foreign government to interfere with an American election is not “beautiful,” and that he should be ashamed of himself.

Congressional Republicans have been terrified of Trump’s “base” long enough. It’s time to let them know they ought to be even more worried about the rest of us.

Chris Truax, an appellate lawyer in San Diego, is an adviser to Republicans for the Rule of Law and a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors.