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Trump’s Angry Attack on Impeachment Impeachment: The House vs. Donald Trump
(about 5 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “House Votes to Impeach Trump for Abuse of Power” (nytimes.com, Dec. 18):
President Trump has a knack for destroying the reputations and legitimacy of the people he works with. Now, with the impeachment of Mr. Trump moving from indictment in the House to a trial in the Senate, it seems the same corrosive effect will continue.President Trump has a knack for destroying the reputations and legitimacy of the people he works with. Now, with the impeachment of Mr. Trump moving from indictment in the House to a trial in the Senate, it seems the same corrosive effect will continue.
The Senate will act as jury, but Mitch McConnell has already proclaimed openly that he needs no further testimony and that he is coordinating the Senate actions with the desires and demands of the White House. In other words, the jury is collaborating with the defendant.The Senate will act as jury, but Mitch McConnell has already proclaimed openly that he needs no further testimony and that he is coordinating the Senate actions with the desires and demands of the White House. In other words, the jury is collaborating with the defendant.
I expected no less from Mr. McConnell. But what about Chief Justice John Roberts? When the chief justice of the United States presides over a sham, what sort of judge is he? What sort of country do we live in?I expected no less from Mr. McConnell. But what about Chief Justice John Roberts? When the chief justice of the United States presides over a sham, what sort of judge is he? What sort of country do we live in?
Robert N. RossCambridge, Mass.Robert N. RossCambridge, Mass.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Trump’s 6-Page Diatribe Belittles Impeachment as an ‘Attempted Coup’” (front page, Dec. 18):Re “Trump’s 6-Page Diatribe Belittles Impeachment as an ‘Attempted Coup’” (front page, Dec. 18):
President Trump has once again acted to subvert Congress and the separation of powers with his nonsensical and ridiculous letter to Nancy Pelosi. He has confirmed what every critic of his has been saying for the last four years — that he is unhinged, ill qualified and actively seeking to interfere in the democratic system of government. He is living in an alternate reality. How can anyone defend his actions?President Trump has once again acted to subvert Congress and the separation of powers with his nonsensical and ridiculous letter to Nancy Pelosi. He has confirmed what every critic of his has been saying for the last four years — that he is unhinged, ill qualified and actively seeking to interfere in the democratic system of government. He is living in an alternate reality. How can anyone defend his actions?
He is making a mockery of America on the world’s stage. His hypocritical actions just confirm how unfit he is for office. His impeachment is not enough; the Senate should vote for his removal.He is making a mockery of America on the world’s stage. His hypocritical actions just confirm how unfit he is for office. His impeachment is not enough; the Senate should vote for his removal.
Natalie CardamoneMedia, Pa.Natalie CardamoneMedia, Pa.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
President Trump, in his intemperate letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, makes this statement: “So you have spent three straight years attempting to overturn the will of the American people and nullify their votes.”President Trump, in his intemperate letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, makes this statement: “So you have spent three straight years attempting to overturn the will of the American people and nullify their votes.”
Mr. Trump overlooks the fact that almost three million more citizens voted against him than voted for him. He became president because of a quaint 18th-century quirk in the Constitution, not because the people elected him. We did not.Mr. Trump overlooks the fact that almost three million more citizens voted against him than voted for him. He became president because of a quaint 18th-century quirk in the Constitution, not because the people elected him. We did not.
Further, even unseating the president would not be a nullification of the electoral vote. We would still have an elected Republican president in office.Further, even unseating the president would not be a nullification of the electoral vote. We would still have an elected Republican president in office.
Roger BullardWilson, N.C.Roger BullardWilson, N.C.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
President Trump, in his angry letter to Nancy Pelosi, accuses the Democrats of many of the things that he is being accused of, such as “interfering in America’s elections” and “subverting America’s Democracy.” I have heard this argument before — in kindergarten. It’s a version of the classic “I’m not stupid — you’re stupid!”President Trump, in his angry letter to Nancy Pelosi, accuses the Democrats of many of the things that he is being accused of, such as “interfering in America’s elections” and “subverting America’s Democracy.” I have heard this argument before — in kindergarten. It’s a version of the classic “I’m not stupid — you’re stupid!”
It is the argument of a simplistic, guilty man. Plain and simple.It is the argument of a simplistic, guilty man. Plain and simple.
Jeremy KaplanBrooklynJeremy KaplanBrooklyn
To the Editor:To the Editor:
It may or may not be that President Trump pressured Ukraine for political advantage, or held up military aid toward that end. Whether that would rise to the level of an impeachable offense, or merit something less draconian such as censure, is another question. All of that doesn’t address the larger issue, however, which is that partisan Democrats have been looking for some reason to “get” Mr. Trump and undo the 2016 election since Day 1.It may or may not be that President Trump pressured Ukraine for political advantage, or held up military aid toward that end. Whether that would rise to the level of an impeachable offense, or merit something less draconian such as censure, is another question. All of that doesn’t address the larger issue, however, which is that partisan Democrats have been looking for some reason to “get” Mr. Trump and undo the 2016 election since Day 1.
Their motives are impure, and therefore the process lacks credibility. If it hadn’t been Ukraine, it would have been something else. The daily drumbeat of negativity toward this president for the past three years, led, frankly, by your newspaper, has been notable.Their motives are impure, and therefore the process lacks credibility. If it hadn’t been Ukraine, it would have been something else. The daily drumbeat of negativity toward this president for the past three years, led, frankly, by your newspaper, has been notable.
The poisonous partisan divide in this country dates back to the Robert Bork Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 1987, and has been fed since then by the enduring conceit of liberals that only they have received wisdom, and all other thought is politically incorrect. This intellectual arrogance is at the root of the problem.The poisonous partisan divide in this country dates back to the Robert Bork Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 1987, and has been fed since then by the enduring conceit of liberals that only they have received wisdom, and all other thought is politically incorrect. This intellectual arrogance is at the root of the problem.
Richard SybertSeattleRichard SybertSeattle
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Every time I hear Republicans insist that impeachment is an attempt to overturn an election, I want to say: “There was an election in 2018, too, and Democrats overwhelmingly won the House — without the help of any Russians. That election, which could be viewed as a referendum on the president, counts too!”Every time I hear Republicans insist that impeachment is an attempt to overturn an election, I want to say: “There was an election in 2018, too, and Democrats overwhelmingly won the House — without the help of any Russians. That election, which could be viewed as a referendum on the president, counts too!”
Merilee GriffinEast Lansing, Mich.Merilee GriffinEast Lansing, Mich.