The first time former President Trump was impeached, writer-director Judd Apatow, a long-time supporter of 826LA, spoke with Neal Katyal, Supreme Court attorney and former Acting Solicitor General, and co-author of Impeach: The Case Against Donald Trump, at a special event presented by 826LA and Second Home (read a recap here).
When Trump was impeached a second time, we had to get them back together—virtually, this time—to ask what it all means: for the future of Trump and his supporters and, more importantly, for young people growing up in a country that has seen democracy challenged in multiple ways during the past year.
Katyal didn’t mince words: “Trump is going to go down in history as an anti-constitutional monster,” who will face criminal and civil charges despite being acquitted following his second impeachment.
He emphasized the ways that the former president attacked not just his political opponents, but the structure of democracy itself. The January 6 attack on the capitol was a prime example: “January 6…is [Congress’] most sacred day. They were performing their peaceful transition of power. And that’s what Trump sent his mob to attack.”
Nevertheless, both Apatow and Katyal had cautiously optimistic takes on the nation’s future, and emphasized the importance of including historically marginalized voices in civic life.
“As a law professor, I see just how important good writing is,” Katyal said.
Apatow, who has advocated for inclusivity in the entertainment industry, talked about how he sees implicit bias working to maintain the status quo.
“I’m a white Jewish kid from Long Island, and I showed up at a comedy club owned by a white Jewish guy. And he liked me, probably because I seemed like him. And then I met a producer who was a white Jewish guy. And I didn’t think I was excluding anyone, but maybe he felt culturally connected. And those things happen down the line,” Apatow said. “I’m glad our industry is changing.”
Apatow concluded, “I support 826 because…writing and creative writing are what saved me and what has supported me in my life, and there’s nothing more important than that.”