Following the recent Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, opinion writers from various news outlets have weighed in on the verdict and its implications for the future of American politics. While some have praised the Senate’s decision to acquit Trump, others have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of letting him off the hook.
In an op-ed for The New York Times, columnist Michelle Goldberg argued that the acquittal of Trump was a missed opportunity for the Senate to hold him accountable for his role in inciting the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. She wrote, “If we think there’s a Trump cult already, just wait until he gets away with this.” Goldberg highlighted the danger of allowing a former president to escape consequences for his actions, warning that it could embolden him and his supporters to engage in further acts of violence and insurrection.
On the other hand, conservative writer Andrew McCarthy praised the Senate’s decision to acquit Trump in an op-ed for National Review. He argued that the impeachment trial was nothing more than a political show trial, and that the Democrats’ case against Trump was weak and based on flimsy evidence. McCarthy criticized the Democrats for rushing to impeach Trump without conducting a thorough investigation, and accused them of using the trial as a way to score political points against their opponent.
Meanwhile, columnist Jennifer Rubin took a more nuanced approach in her analysis of the impeachment trial in The Washington Post. She acknowledged that while the Senate’s decision to acquit Trump was disappointing, it was not entirely unexpected given the political dynamics at play. Rubin expressed concern about the growing influence of Trump within the Republican Party, and warned that his continued presence could further divide the country and erode democratic norms.
Overall, the opinions of these three writers reflect the deep divisions within American society over the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. While some see his acquittal as a dangerous precedent that could embolden him and his supporters, others view it as a necessary step to move past the political turmoil of the past four years. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the trial, it remains to be seen what impact Trump’s acquittal will have on the future of American politics.