Here are two phrases that you have probably heard lately: “trying to reverse an election” and “trying to unseat a duly elected president.” If you haven’t heard them, you probably will when you chat with your relatives over the holidays.
The United States of America elects its presidents by a process established in the constitution that was written and ratified by the nation’s founders. A presidential election is held once every four years.
The same constitution that provides for a method of electing a president provides for a method of removing one early, i.e. before his or her four-year term ends.
Why is this important?
As head of state, the president has a lot of power. If they abuse that power, it might not be safe to leave them in office for a full term. Continued abuse can do irreparable harm to the country and to our governmental norms and institutions.
Imagine the following scenario involving a fictional president from the party that you like least. His name is President Dirtbag.
In our fictional scenario, Congress passes a number of bills and budgets, but President Dirtbag kills every one of these bills using his veto power. Congressional leaders become frustrated and ask for a meeting with the president. In the meeting, President Dirtbag makes the following offer.
“I will pass any bill or budget that you send to me, as long as you agree to do me two favors. First, I want twenty million dollars transferred into my personal bank account. Secondly, I want two young, attractive female congressional staffers to come over here to the White House and have sex with me for the weekend. If you do me these two simple favors, I will pass your bill or approve your budget. If you won’t do as I ask, I will veto the bill or anything that you try to enact into law.”
What President Dirtbag has proposed is reprehensible, immoral, and unethical. Further, it is corrupt, illegal, and unconstitutional. Clearly, Congress cannot in good faith give in to these demands. But what are the options?
Should the country be held hostage by an unethical leader? Will we have to go for four years without a budget or advancement of any meaningful legislation? Voters can elect a more reasonable president eventually, but can we wait that long? Or should Congress take action and make an attempt to remove President Dirtbag for “high crimes and misdemeanors?”
The framers of the US Constitution included impeachment for a reason. It is a legal, legitimate, and non-violent method for terminating a corrupt or treasonous presidency, a presidency that could do irreparable harm to the country and the world if it is allowed to go to term. If someone suggests that impeachment is improper or extreme, remind them that it is no more improper than elections. Both of them are provisions defined in the same document, the document that every service member and every elected official at the national level has sworn to protect and defend.
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