Wednesday evening, Donald J. Trump became the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first to be charged with compromising U.S. security.
Members held two votes on articles of impeachment.
The first charged Mr. Trump with using the powers of the presidency for his personal benefit when he asked Ukraines president to investigate Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden, in an effort to tilt the 2020 election in his favor. In the meantime, Mr. Trump withheld $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, a longtime ally in battle against Russia.
The second article charged Mr. Trump with obstruction of justice for refusing to cooperate with Congresss investigation into his alleged wrongdoings by blocking key insiders from testifying and by withholding subpoenaed documents.
The votes fell for the most part along party lines, with Democrats prevailing.
Though in the early stages of the investigation several Congressional Republicans admitted Mr. Trump had crossed ethical and constitutional boundaries, by Wednesday none was willing to hold him accountable, categorically aligning with the presidents description of his July 25 request of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as perfect.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Georgia, did his peers one better when he likened Mr. Trump to Jesus Christ, saying Jesus was afforded more rights during the trial that led to his crucifixion than President Trump had received during the impeachment proceedings.
IMPEACHMENT is the strongest rebuke the House of Representatives can deliver to a president.
Even so, Mr. Trump unlikely will be removed from office.
That responsibility lies with the U.S. Senate, where 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents make up the balance.
According to polls, the country remains evenly divided between those who think the president should be retained in office or ousted by the U.S. Senate.
Where the two sides find common ground, however, is in the upcoming trial before the Senate. In Wednesdays ABC News/Washington Post poll, 7 in 10 Americans said the presidents top aides should testify.
Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, rejected requests to call four key figures as witnesses, promising total coordination with the White House.
Not a good start. Not to hear from those involved in making key decisions and privy to the presidents thinking would make the trial a sham.
