This is exactly the point that the article misses. It's not contradictory to hold the views that "This was the right decision" and "This decision shouldn't have been up to private companies".
While there are significant improvements that could be made to our laws, the most significant failure here is one of enforcement. When Republican senators chose not to hear witnesses during the impeachment trial they took a significant step towards making Donald Trump a despot and legitimizing the alt-right. The recent strife is a direct consequence.
Come on. People keep citing "key events" that led to this. It's silly. The rioters would've not rioted if more witnesses had been heard? You think they even are aware of the trial proceedings?
If these witnesses were presented and heard, leading to (long shot maybe, but still) a conviction by the Senate of Trump, of course, things would have been very different today.
You can argue that the violent events of last week would have simply taken place early last year, but at least it might not have threatened peaceful transfer of power after the elections.
While there are significant improvements that could be made to our laws, the most significant failure here is one of enforcement. When Republican senators chose not to hear witnesses during the impeachment trial they took a significant step towards making Donald Trump a despot and legitimizing the alt-right. The recent strife is a direct consequence.