By evidence of Friday’s vote, Senate Republicans have essentially anointed Donald Trump their king. Though in theory they might acknowledge a president’s request for a foreign power to interfere on his behalf in a U.S. election as an abuse of his powers, Republicans refused to put their leader to the test. Instead, they blocked passage of a vote to allow documents and witnesses to appear in what was to be a trial on charges against the president.
The short-term damage in giving Mr. Trump a pass is negligible. After three years, Americans are de-sensitized to his theatrics.
The long-term damage, however, is acute. Allowing a president to flagrantly defile the U.S. Constitution sets a low bar for future administrations.
Our country has relied on a system of checks and balances to ensure leaders uphold democratic values. President Trump, it seems, is the exception, and as such, future presidents will be emboldened to exist outside legal and ethical boundaries.
Senate Republicans have said their decision to forego investigation into Mr. Trump’s alleged misdeeds was because their minds were already made up.
Their deciding factor?
Not the American people, of which 75% of registered voters said witnesses should be allowed to testify in the Senate impeachment trial.
Instead, Congressional Republicans have made their personal re-elections their criteria and as such have put their leader’s bidding above all else.
Such fealty to President Trump — and not the United States of America — is a frightening precedent.
— Susan Lynn
