Something isn’t right here
Something does not add up with the Senate Republicans. This week, the House of Representatives will vote to impeach “President” Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment, and then likely send the case to the Senate, where Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over the one-hundred-Senator jury. Each Senator will take the following oath:
“I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of Donald J. Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help me God.”
Unfortunately, Senator Majority Leader Mitch “the Con” McConnell has already violated that oath and his Constitutional duties. In an appearance with Sean Hannity on Fox, McConnell stated: “We’ll be working through this process…in total coordination with the White House counsel’s office and the people who are representing the president, in the way all of the Senate.”
We will see how fellow Senator Lindsey Graham receives McConnell’s dereliction of duty. Both should listen to 1998 Graham, then House Manager of the President Bill Clinton impeachment, who stated: “Members of the Senate have said, ‘I understand everything there is about this case and I won’t vote to impeach the president.’ Please allow the facts to do the talking.”
But this GOP leadership does not even hide the fact that they are followers of Trump and will take the lead, come hell or high water. It appears that they are not interested in listening to any evidence, having a real trial, or even in hiding how partisan they are. Either the Kompromat is stronger than kryptonite on these folks, who once at least talked country over party, or they have given up on the republic for which we stand. Either way, the damage is done. Voters must go out and make it clear they will not tolerate this conduct and return Democrats to the White House and to a Senate majority.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.