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Trump trial matters to us all

Moment of truth: Trump is the third US president to be impeached (File photograph).

After months of political wrangling in Washington over the Democratic thrust to hold President Trump accountable for allegedly abusing his power in office, thus violating, in their view, the nation’s Constitution, the matter will be tried in the Senate. Powerful lawyers on both sides will wage a legal political war in the Republican-controlled Senate, which could ultimately decide whether Trump should be convicted and removed from office.After three years in office, Trump has become only the third president to be impeached in the history of America.With an election later this year, much of the world is watching closely to see how the nation deals with a political crisis without abandoning the truth and values that many believe remain key to America as a democratic country. Justice and freedom are the highest ideals to protect the nation’s future from those who prefer dictatorial governments. Many Americans feel this is a trial in name only because most of the Republican senators have declared openly that they will not convict the President, no matter what evidence is produced. With the trial taking place according to the rules devised by the Senate, it creates a situation where they have the ultimate power over the result, even though a Supreme Court judge will be presiding. Trump has been bitterly upset, ever since the Democrats launched impeachment proceedings after a whistleblower alerted officials that the President had used the power of his office to persuade the Ukraine President to investigate Joe Biden, one of his likely opponents in the upcoming election. According to reports, Trump withheld millions of dollars badly needed by Ukraine, which has been declared by a federal watchdog group as against the law. The money was later sent after the disclosure that an attempt was made to pressure Ukraine into carrying out Trump’s request by withholding money earmarked through Congress for that nation. A political storm started as Trump adamantly defended his action and insisted he had done nothing wrong. Much of the world was wondering what is happening to the world’s most powerful nation over the issue of leadership. Some observers expressed the view that since moving into the Oval Office, Trump began displaying conduct that the rules did not apply to him, and slowly it became clear that he seemed to consider himself above the law. In fact, he often stated that the Second Amendment allowed him, as President, to do whatever he wishes. Most Americans knew that was not the case.With the Democrats holding the power strings in the House and Speaker Nancy Pelosi determined to hold the President accountable, the wheels started turning towards getting to the bottom of what most felt was a breach of the Constitution.The media came under fire for asking too many questions and were even described as the enemy of the people. It was not a good period for White House officials, who were confronted daily by journalists wanting the truth regarding the Ukraine issue. That simply was their job.Heated hearings followed with several witnesses testifying about their role in the Ukraine matter, plus building evidence that the Administration had crossed the line with a quid pro quo element in seeking negative information about Joe Biden and his son. Finally, Trump was impeached, which will be a part of his legacy, even if the Senate produces a verdict of not guilty of all charges. Former presidential candidate Kamala Harris was asked what she felt would happen if Trump was cleared of all charges. She commented that it would usher in the end of democracy in America. That is a concern many Americans share even though Trump supporters would totally disagree with that assessment.Whatever happens, people in America and, indeed, around the world, want stability with dignity in American leadership, because there are so many critical issues, affecting many parts of the globe, that need powerful nations to work closer together in finding solutions. The world can only hope those involved in this Washington trial will keep that in mind as they deliberate on matters of concern not only to America, but also to the international community.