Definition of a ‘coup’

Cal Thomas and other Republican commentators imply or state that the impeachment inquiry is an attempted coup, and subverts democracy and our Constitution. My inclination is to suggest they consult a dictionary and take a basic class in civics and the Constitution.

Mr. Thomas states that Mr. Trump’s presidency should be left in the hands of the people who elected him. If the House chooses to impeach the president, or not, that is in the hands of the people, through the representatives we elected (more recently than we elected Mr. Trump, by the way). If he is impeached, and the Senate then chooses to convict him, or not, that is in the hands of the people, through the senators we elected.

Impeachment and removal of the president is a process enshrined in the Constitution. If one states that impeachment is an attempted coup because the president was elected, then, logically, the only president who could ever have been impeached was Gerald Ford, the only president never elected president or vice president. It seems unlikely that was the intent of the framers.

An attempted coup would be a military takeover of Washington, D.C. An attempted coup would be a president trying to remain in office if an election goes against him.

Support Mr. Trump or don’t. But do not undermine the basis of this incredible country by claiming that following a constitutional process is equivalent to armed overthrow of the government. STEPHEN C. SORSBY

Alexander