The Case for Impeachment ⇥ thebulwark.com

The editorial board of the Bulwark:

For the third time in our nation’s history, a President is facing an impeachment vote in the House of Representatives. As with the Mueller Report (and the DOJ IG Report), we at The Bulwark think the public needs to read the articles of impeachment thoroughly, carefully, as citizens — not as lawyers.

The editorial board of the Washington Post:

The House of Representatives is moving toward a momentous decision about whether to impeach a president for only the third time in U.S. history. The charges brought against President Trump by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday are clear: that he abused his office in an attempt to induce Ukraine’s new president to launch politicized investigations that would benefit Mr. Trump’s reelection campaign, and that he willfully obstructed the subsequent congressional investigation.

Because of that unprecedented stonewalling, and because House Democrats have chosen to rush the impeachment process, the inquiry has failed to collect important testimony and documentary evidence that might strengthen the case against the president. Nevertheless, it is our view that more than enough proof exists for the House to impeach Mr. Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, based on his own actions and the testimony of the 17 present and former administration officials who courageously appeared before the House Intelligence Committee.

I was too young to remember Bill Clinton’s impeachment over lying under oath and obstructing justice, and not yet born when Richard Nixon resigned for his corrupt abuse of power — and also obstructing justice. So it is a momentous occasion for me to witness what is, in my view, an instance where the President of the United States abused his power in an attempt to damage a political rival, and obstructed investigations of these actions. Today will be etched into my brain for as long as I live; I wanted to make sure it was recorded in my public diary, too.

Of course, I am Canadian. American politics has no immediate consequence nor direct impact on my life, but the uniquely close relationship of my country with the United States — not to mention the latter’s power and influence over nearly all countries — means that I am not far removed from its effects. This process is important, it is right, and it is a just decision to proceed with curtailing a president who does not value the law.