To The Daily Sun,
Unity and impeachment, an oxymoron if there ever was one. After four years of “resistance” and fake Russian conspiracy theories and investigations, the left and Democrats want everyone to come together for a Kumbaya moment under President Biden. What shallowness and hypocrisy! Furthermore, the latest impeachment effort is a blatant political charade and totally unconstitutional.
I am no fan of Donald Trump. He is an arrogant, caustic and a bombastic egomaniac. Yet, his policies on the economy (with record low unemployment low unemployment rates for all ethnicities), taxation, regulations, immigration, energy independence, national security and foreign peace initiatives served the country well and will be noted by future historians. Regardless of one’s feeling for Trump, he is entitled to due process. The House of Representatives delivered an Article of Impeachment with limited debate and no opportunity for witnesses to be called and cross-examined. Trump left office on 1/30/21 and yet, the House has delivered its impeachment articles to the Senate for trial post inauguration and it appears clear that the Senate will conduct a trial. However, they lack this authority.
Although Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution gives the Senate “”sole power” to try all impeachments and conviction on a finding by two-thirds of its members, it further provides that “Judgment on Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to remove from Office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States”…(emphasis added). Article I, Section 3 further requires that when “the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside”.
Donald Trump is no longer president. Thus, the remedy of removal from office is moot. Also, disqualification from future office is linked to removal. The Constitution says “AND” not “OR.” Furthermore, the Chief Justice is not sitting as the presiding judge. Instead, Patrick Leahy, a Democrat Senator from Vermont who voted to impeach Trump in the first impeachment trial, is sitting as presiding judge. How is this fair, impartial and Constitutional?
Thus, it is hard for me and others to embrace the hollow call for “unity” when this political charade based primarily on hatred for Trump continues. The country deserves better if it is to heal. If President Biden wants to make actions speak louder than words, he can pardon Trump and end this mess in the interest of unity and healing for the Country. Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon and paid the political price in 1976. He did the right thing for the country so it could move on and so should Biden because the Senate doesn’t have the wisdom or will to dismiss the unconstitutional impeachment proceedings.
As a postscript, everyone condemns the violence that occurred in our Capitol on Jan. 6, but the loudest condemnations come from those who stood by silently while our cities like Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Kenosha and others were assaulted, torched and destroyed with lives lost by left wing anarchists last summer. Healing and unity require equal condemnation of acts or anarchy, regardless of political persuasion.
Richard R. Gerken
Meredith
(2) comments
The new 'Leaders' only recognize the parts of the Constitution that they can use for themselves and ignore the rest.
The Blob is going down. Lol
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