The Neverending Story: Impeachment Marches On
THE ISSUE: The presentation of arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.
The impeachment of President Trump has taught me one important lesson: Truth has no place in political discourse (“Unholy alliance vs. Don — & nation,” Michael Goodwin, Jan. 29).
While the prosecution worked hard at digging up facts and witnesses, the defense wanted no part of it. Their defense is: He did what he did. So what?
Trump’s team should have been salivating at the opportunity to call a few witnesses. It’s a winwin. They would appear to really care about the oath entrusted to them and still get to vote thumbs down on impeachment, no matter where the facts lead.
This political theater gets two thumbs down from me, but who cares — certainly not the Republicans in the Senate.
Bob Bascelli
Seaford
Before Trump was even inaugurated, Democrats and their media allies had their knives out to get rid of him.
We have seen three years and one bogus attempt after another.
The sham House impeachment and Democratic grandstanding at the Senate trial are only the latest.
Donald Nawi
Queens
This impeachment trial has yielded the following: Any president who runs for re-election could be accused of using his authority to interfere in an election.
All presidents have used leverage while dealing with foreign powers. It’s inherent in making deals. It is part of the job.
Over the history of our nation, America has invested substantial sums of money in corrupt foreign powers. This is our
tax money that could be used for American infrastructure or charter schools. It’s about time someone questioned foreign “national security” investments.
And Democrats clearly used foreign influence to influence the 2016 election through the Steele dossier.
Somehow, we are now supposed to turn our country upside down to help provide cover for a former vice president’s possibly corrupt son. Enough already.
Jackie Shanahan
Valley Stream
When the articles of impeachment were introduced, my initial conviction was that it would be a negative force for the lives of the American people.
My rationale was that other presidents have engaged in quid pro quo offers and deals with foreign entities.
However, as the Senate trial proceedings unfold, I have experienced a change of heart. At first, the point of contention was whether Trump withholding military assistance to Ukraine was a form of bribery and abuse of power. We are finding an answer to this question through the brilliant constitutional processes outlined by the Founding Fathers.
But now the president’s counsel has made allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden and his son. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
It seems that the can of worms, brought about through this bitter age of political polarization, is open for the world to see.
A national trial through impeachment is perhaps the only way we can put an end to perpetual investigations, innuendo and impropriety within the greatest system of government known to man.
Henry Wilson
Barrington, Ill.
The speech by Ken Starr this week was brilliant. He lucidly described the legal meaning of the word “impeachment” from the Founding Fathers onward.
He clearly showed the judicial interpretations from England and over to modern-day America.
He demonstrated that the two impeachment articles now before the Senate are preposterous and invalid. I urge the senators to dismiss them at the first opportunity.
Anthony Spinelli
Manhattan
I don’t understand why the Democrats wasted their time voting on an impeachment they knew the Senate would certainly reject.
Trump had a right to question the actions of former Vice President Joe Biden in Ukraine.
However, the Democrats’ charges that he wanted dirt on Biden as a potential rival are ludicrous.
Warren Goldfein
Mount Arlington, NJ