1. A short thread for followers, readers, and interested United States senators about what impeachment is for, and how it actually works.
2. The first point—one I made at length two years ago—is that impeachment is not just an outcome, but a process. Specifically, it functions as a public inquest, pulling facts into view and allowing allegations to be tested and debated: theatlantic.com/magazine/archi…
3. What does it mean that impeachment is a public inquest? Two sitting Vice Presidents wrote to the House *demanding* that it open impeachment proceedings against them. They understood it to be a process of discernment, and were hoping to clear their names of allegations.
4. Again, it’s a mistake to focus solely on the outcome of impeachment proceedings. Historically, House proceedings and Senate trials have forced facts into light and drawn attention to evidence. And when it proceeds to a Senate trial, that in itself is a powerful statement.
5. In 1876, the Senate debated whether it had jurisdiction to try William Belknap, who was impeached after he left office. Senators voted 37-29 that they did, and then voted to convict 35-25, falling short of the required two thirds majority.
6. Was the Belknap trial a failure? Let me quote from the House impeachment managers: "Notwithstanding this result, the managers believe that great good will accrue from the impeachment and trial of the defendant. It has been settled thereby that…"
7. “...persons who have held civil office
in the United States are impeachable, and that the Senate has jurisdiction to try them, although years may elapse before the discovery of the offense or offenses subjecting them to impeachment…."
in the United States are impeachable, and that the Senate has jurisdiction to try them, although years may elapse before the discovery of the offense or offenses subjecting them to impeachment…."
8. “….To settle this principle, so vitally
important in securing the rectitude of the class of officers referred to, is worth infinitely more than all the time, labor, and expense of the protracted trial closed by the verdict of yesterday.”
important in securing the rectitude of the class of officers referred to, is worth infinitely more than all the time, labor, and expense of the protracted trial closed by the verdict of yesterday.”
9. Whatever happens in the second Senate trial of Donald Trump, this remains the best way to think about impeachment—it’s a fight for the principle of honest and faithful governance, and when that fight is joined in earnest, it is always worth having.
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