DEAR EDITOR:

Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution states in relevant part: “The President — shall be removed from office on Impeachment for, and conviction — … ”

The operative phrase here is “removed from office.” Removal from office is the only goal of impeachment according to Article II, Section 4.

To commence impeachment proceedings after a person is no longer in office is a superfluous exercise. This, however, is not the political motive for impeachment that takes over and politicizes the process.

The Constitution provides the basis for it, but Congress then promotes and conducts political theater for those who relish watching theatrics play out.

Of course, impeachment properly conducted all the way through conviction is constitutional, but the political process that subsumes it is fair game for all to observe. This constitutional lawyer couldn’t more agree.

CARL RAFOTH

Boardman