Letter to the editor: I hope these good Kansas and Missouri senators will do right

Do right, senators

I believe Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts of Kansas and Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri are men of conscience and character. I hope they will follow their better angels in the upcoming Senate trial of President Donald Trump.

They must not say, “The president did nothing wrong.” Every senator knows this is demonstrably false.

If Moran, Roberts or Blunt cannot vote to convict, I hope each will at least be honest. What Trump did was wrong. His claim of executive privilege is unprecedented and extreme. They must state this — unequivocally.

The only honest defense of a vote to acquit Trump is to say that he still has strong support in certain states, so it’s wiser to let the voters decide his fate. However, this position is still dangerous.

Should Trump remain in office and eke out reelection, he would be unchained. Surrounded by sycophants and unafraid of Congress, he would be freer than ever to follow his worst impulses.

Any senator voting to acquit him would be complicit in the disasters to come.

I make no appeal to Sen. Josh Hawley’s conscience in this matter. He has already revealed his unbridled ambition unrestrained by principle. (Jan. 7, 7A, “Sen. Josh Hawley’s ‘loony’ plan to dismiss impeachment is unfair to everyone — even Trump”)

I just pray Hawley stands alone in a Senate that follows its conscience.

- John Veal, Kansas City

This story was originally published January 13, 2020 at 5:00 AM.