Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

How can they be impartial?

The Articles of Impeachment against Donald John Trump, that were passed by the House of representatives, [will be] sent to the U.S. Senate for a trial. Each Senate member is required to take the following jurors oath before the trial begins: “I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws; so help me God.”

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has stated “I’m not an impartial juror.” Senior senator Lindsey Graham has stated he is “not trying to pretend to be a fair juror.” Mitch McConnell has vowed “total coordination with the White House on the Senate trial.”

How can McConnell and Graham, after taking the jurors oath, sit as impartial jurors?

Timothy J. Lape

Spokane Valley

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-5098

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy