After digesting special counsel Robert Mueller’s report and watching Attorney General William Barr’s Senate testimony, I’ve concluded, among other things, that Barr is simply wrong.…
After digesting special counsel Robert Mueller’s report and watching Attorney General William Barr’s Senate testimony, I’ve concluded, among other things, that Barr is simply wrong. I’m convinced that a reasonable prosecutor could charge President Donald Trump with obstruction of justice.
But that’s something of a red herring. Whether Trump’s actions were actually illegal or merely unacceptable is beside the point. The question is, what do we do about it? Should the president be impeached?
That’s certainly what some people, outraged by his conduct in office and insisting he must be held to account, are demanding. But I’m far more concerned about minimizing damage to our democratic institutions and our political fabric than I am about punishing anyone. And impeachment isn’t a punishment. Rather, it’s the ultimate safeguard protecting those institutions from the worst kinds of malfeasance. Punishment is reserved for criminal law, and the president is answerable for all of his acts once he’s out of office, no matter how that occurs.
Read more commentary:
Trump administration could leave Congress no choice but an impeachment inquiry: Rep. Lieu
William Barr lied to Congress about the Mueller report. He should resign: Adam Schiff
2020 litmus test: All Democratic candidates should call for Trump impeachment proceedings
The real question isn’t whether Trump should be punished for obstruction. It’s whether impeaching the president is the best way to protect our democracy from further harm.
I’m not convinced. It’s true there would be an undeniable satisfaction in finally “doing something” to push back against Trump’s behavior in office. But impeachment would also be extremely disruptive and divisive. Worse, it would be little more than a gesture. The House probably would have the votes to impeach (or charge) him.
