(1) Donald Trump failed to uphold his oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, (2) emerged as the greatest threat to the Constitution and American democracy in a generation, (3) sparked the flames of sedition and fanned them relentlessly, (4) lied about the election in an effort to undermine Americans’ faith in our democracy, (5) promoted division, disruption and violence, (6) attempted to thwart our nation’s unbroken history of a constitutional and peaceful transfer of power, (7) incited and promoted a riot that laid siege to our Capitol building (the very heart of our democracy), (8) insurrectionists chanting Trump’s name viciously beat Capitol Police Officers protecting the building, (9) insurrectionists called for the death of the Vice President, (10) insurrectionists delayed Congress from fulfilling its constitutional duty of certifying the election of President-elect Joe Biden, (11) they left a trail of destruction in their wake, including the deaths of five people, and (12) the former President of the United States fueled and exploited the dark undercurrent of insurrection.

Sen. Leahy also reminded us that even President Nixon understood he had to resign after his crimes were exposed; and that this former president’s crimes are far worse.

Former President Trump bears accountability for this attack and the fact that he has disavowed any responsibility for the violent assault on our democracy makes clear he was unworthy of the office he held and should have been removed.

It pains me deeply, as a 20-year Navy veteran, that so many veterans clearly have forgotten what their uniform and oath stand for, and chose (so wrongly) to participate in the insurrection of January 6 and that veterans’ organizations (the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and others) continue to remain deafeningly silent. These are not the veterans of WWI, WWII, or Korea.

Having failed to uphold his oath of office (which alone warranted impeachment), senators who voted to acquit former President Trump are irresponsible, derelict in their duty and, having put the interests of their party and their own self-serving welfare above that of the national interest, are, in my opinion, accomplices in the wrongdoings for which former President Trump was charged.

David L. Snell 

Franklin