The political divide in the United States is growing by the minute. Republicans and Democrats will seem to never be on the same page today. Right now we are looking at over 12 bills that need to be passed by the 31st of this month, or we may see a government shutdown. House Republicans under the McCarthy leadership have another idea on the table at the moment, an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden and his son.
In United States History, until former President Trump, we witnessed only two impeachment trials, Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Our constitution set up our government to keep checks on all branches. When impeachment inquiries happen, and trials begin, the country tends to take the allegations seriously. But in the last 4 years, our country has witnessed 2 impeachment trials, and a 3rd inquiry is on the way.
Whether you believe that Trump may have been guilty or that President Biden and his son are guilty, impeachment has become a weapon of the party holding power. In 2019, little if any evidence was presented on whether President Trump was in fact colluding with Russia. The telephone call was also not sufficient evidence of a quid pro quo between President Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. One can argue former President Trump was guilty in 2021 for “incitement of insurrection” but the Senate did come up with enough votes to remove him from office.
Now we move to sitting President Joe Biden, and the inquiry on his son Hunter Biden for his alleged foreign deals with Ukrainian companies and whether or not Joe Biden was in on it. Republicans have been reluctant to show any evidence at all and the White House has consistently said that Joe Biden had “nothing to do with his son’s business affairs.” The impeachment process is starting to hold little weight. Both sides of the aisle believe that each inquiry and trial was merely political and the American people on either side tend to believe the same.
President Joe Biden. Credits: Gage Skidmore
The impeachment process is a key part of our constitution and our founding fathers sought to put it there so that kings and dictators would not come to fruition. Republicans and Democrats are seemingly forgetting the power and the influence that they hold over the American people. Just like the Democrats needed it in 2019, the Republicans need it too. Evidence is going to be crucial if the Republicans want to continue with this impeachment inquiry. So far, there is no evidence to be found. Our congressional leaders are too focused on hurting the Democrats than working with them to avoid a government shutdown. If this inquiry continues with no sufficient evidence, it is time for the people to start questioning our leadership in Congress and what their real goals are.
Author: Joshua Cheatham