America's hour of reckoning.

Byline: Maleeha Lodhi

WE certainly live in unprecedented times. The storming of the US Capitol on Jan 6 shook the country and shocked the world. A president who refused to accept the election results, declined to cooperate in the transfer of power and incited a violent mob to attack Congress - all pushed the country to the edge. This was followed by the historic impeachment of Donald Trump on the charge of 'incitement of insurrection'.

The invasion of the Capitol was just the latest demonstration of the outrageous behaviour long associated with Trump. Taken to dangerous limits in his presidency's final days it plunged the country into crisis. The effort by a rampaging horde to disrupt and prevent Congress from certifying the election result failed. But it left the country reeling from the attack described by US commentators as America's 'day of infamy'.

There are two ways of looking at the horrific events that led to the impeachment. As a failed 'coup' attempt that has created the opportunity for reassertion of the political middle ground and restoration of sanity and stability. Trump's own goal left him and his supporters defeated and diminished. Had he not orchestrated this assault he would not be leaving the White House much weaker and impeached for a second time by the House of Representatives, a unique distinction. Many companies have axed campaign donations to him and cut business ties.

An alternative perspective is that last week's events reflect the grim realities of a fractured country that will not easily disappear with Joe Biden's assumption of the presidency. The political chasm that led to the violent siege has long been in evidence and reinforced by the election. The setback to the far right may just be a setback, not a terminal state. The alarming developments also exposed the sharp divide between senior Republicans and rank and file lawmakers of the party. In the impeachment vote 197 Republican Congressmen - an overwhelming majority - voted against the motion. Earlier, 147 Republican members of the House voted against certifying the election result even after the mob attack on the Capitol. These realities will continue to shape American politics and not fade away with the president's inauguration.

Governance will be tough for Biden if Trump's grip over the Republican party continues.

This will make governance more difficult for President Biden even though he starts with the crucial advantage of his party controlling both the...