John Spratt: “The majority argues that articles of impeachment are required by the rule of law. The rule of law starts at the source…”

“The majority argues that articles of impeachment are required by the rule of law. The rule of law starts at the source, with the Constitution and specifically Article II, Section IV. How the Congress removes a President elected by the people is vitally important to the rule of law in a democracy. The Frames of our Constitution did not choose a prime minister beholder to a parliament, but a president independent of Congress, so that each could counter the other and maintain a balance of power. Having made that fundamental decision, they did not intend for the impeachment power to be used as a vote of no confidence, so that the president serves, in effect, at the will of Congress. They knew that in extreme cases the power to impeach might be needed, so that Congress could rid the country of a president who took bribes or became a traitor or tyrant. For 210 years, Congress has regarded the impeachment power in that light, as extraordinary, and abused it only once, in the case of Andrew Johnson. In this case, the decision is not easy.…”