Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 | 2 a.m.
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On Jan. 20, 2017, Donald Trump swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution and enforce federal laws. I don’t believe he meant it, and he told thousands of documented lies while in office. He came up with the big lie about a stolen election in 2020 when the voters fired him. Unable to accept the loss, he participated in various schemes to remain in power.
He finally tried to pull off an insurrection Jan. 6, 2021, by inciting his loyalists to march on the Capitol to impede the certification of the electoral vote. A select congressional committee investigated and, after 18 months, made criminal referrals to the Justice Department.
The committee presented a mountain of evidence showing Trump to be unfit for office. The 14th Amendment should preclude him from running for office due to his offenses on Jan. 6. It is up to the DOJ to charge Trump with crimes and take him to trial. If Trump is not indicted and convicted, it would leave the door open for someone else to follow the Trump/Putin playbook to overthrow a free and fair election.
The electoral process is the backbone of a democracy and the peaceful transfer of power must occur to ensure the integrity of our constitutional republic. The democratic norms of probity must be followed and our institutions must be protected by our leaders. If we cannot agree that Trump’s aberrant behavior disqualifies him for office, there is little hope for our political unity.
