The impeachment trial against Donald Trump will probably fail. That's the common reading, because the US Senate, which is ruled by Trump's Republicans, will eventually vote for its own president.
So worth the effort? Is it right that the Democrats in the House of Representatives will now initiate the impeachment, as announced by their leader Nancy Pelosi? Does it have to be that?
Yes, it has to be.
Andrew Harnik / AP
US President Trump: Disobeying his oath
No matter how the decision ends up. Donald Trump has violated his presidential envy when he tried to urge Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter. He has abused his office in a criminal manner in order to gain a personal advantage.
All the facts are on the table after the hearings in the US Congress.
Nancy Pelosi and the other members of the Democrats in Congress would violate their oath of office as parliamentarians if they did not at least try to end the reign of that president immediately. They have vowed to defend the US Constitution against "internal and external enemies." Now is the time to put this oath into action. Fidelity to the Constitution, to the eternal values of this great, ancient democracy, that is its duty. You have to signal that Trump's behavior is fundamentally wrong. That's what matters.
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The fact that the Republicans judge the cause differently for many reasons and are faithful to their president, is regrettable, but ultimately not relevant. Although they feel strong now, even though they are likely to win the Senate vote, they will end up on the wrong side of the story. Just like the president.
