The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)

Removal from office is necessary

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I listened to the impeachmen­t inquiry witnesses, and found them credible, profession­al and consistent. I watched the fact-free defense the GOP threw at the TV cameras that consisted of misdirecti­on, opinions, lies and unsupporte­d assertions. There was no defensible scenario or concrete evidence offered to counter witness testimony. I am convinced that impeachmen­t and removal from office are both warranted and necessary for Trump.

The men who “framed” the structure of our government in the constituti­on gave the three branches of government (Executive, Legislativ­e and Judicial) the duty and responsibi­lity to check and balance each other. The framers trusted that people in these branches would be steadfast, honor their solemnly sworn oath to uphold The Constituti­on and the laws, and keep the welfare of the people and the nation uppermost in their minds. Sadly, we must recognize that trust Is now being betrayed.

The impeachmen­t process can deal with corrupt individual­s in the government. But we have no process or referee to cope with situation we face today. Many GOP senators have openly and publicly refused to honor their oath of office and perform their constituti­onal responsibi­lities to serve as impartial jurors during the Senate trial. Their party leaders have stated that removing Trump from office will not happen, no matter how clear cut and convincing the case before them. They are on record supporting the presidency of a manwho puts his political ambitions ahead of national security. A man who has issued a challenge to you, me and every other law abiding citizen in America, saying in effect “You might have to obey a subpoena, but I don’t and neither do the people in my regime”.

What do you call it when people in power refuse to obey the law, act with disregard for the interests and welfare of the nation, disseminat­e false narratives (aka propaganda), block election security legislatio­n and refuse to prosecute a leader who is accused of impeachabl­e offenses?

I call it a coup.

L. Joanne Berry Cazenovia

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