As the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, Stream readers are likely puzzled. As sane people and patriots, they had certain expectations from America. Even its Democrats, even those in Congress. But the old rules no longer apply. We’re out in uncharted waters now, and it feels as if anything could happen.
There’s no Supreme Court Chief Justice in charge. Instead, the presiding “judge” is a partisan Democrat senator who has already decided that the defendant is guilty. By fair means or foul, Trump is no longer president, so he can’t be removed from office. The hope is to make him ineligible to run again for office — which would amount to a “bill of attainder,” one of the few things specifically forbidden in the words of our Constitution.
