Regardless of the outcome of the impeachment trial, I am concerned about the severity of the threat to all of our due process rights posed by the silence and complicity of Sen. Cory Gardner, who has not responded to my concern on the abbreviated impeachment rules proposed by Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Specifically, I am convinced that we will be losing the integrity of our national constitutional heritage if McConnell’s form of due process prevails.
When Andrew Johnson had an impeachment trial in the Senate, it lasted three months! Why not allow both sides a fair hearing?
Our founding fathers never intended anything less than due process and fairness for both sides.
Imagine if this sort of abbreviated, third-world due process model were used to deprive any of us of a defense if we were accused of a crime?
Implicit in due process is a traditional set of American proceedings that include both sides calling witnesses and presenting evidence, all within commonly accepted rules that are our precious heritage.
I would welcome and hope that attorneys and informed citizens take a public stand on due process. The actual and eventual outcome of these hearings are of far less significance than our adherence to the precious heritage of traditional concepts of fair play and due process.
We need to pass down a legal system to future generations that is in keeping with what we inherited.
Frederick MoellerDurango
