Trump White House’s attempt to paint impeachment motion as ‘unconstitutional’ goes against the law | The Indian Express

Trump White House’s attempt to paint impeachment motion as ‘unconstitutional’ goes against the law | The Indian Express

Written by Upendra Baxi |Updated: October 24, 2019 8:33:53 am

The writer is professor of law, University of Warwick,and former vice chancellor of Universities of South Gujarat and Delhi.

Trump White House’s attempt to paint impeachment motion as ‘unconstitutional’ goes against the law

The sole power to impeach a president (and other civil officers of the United States) rests with the House and the senate when it finds that the president, among other federal officers, has committed treason, bribery, or other high crimes.

US President Donald Trump. If the White House counsel’s ultimate argument is to be adopted, any attempt to impeach the president would be an unconstitutional deprivation of an electoral outcome favouring the incumbent. (REUTERS)

The decision by the United States Congress to commence impeachment proceedings against the incumbent president is fraught with distinctively American and global implications. The early responses of the president suggest that it is only a political act by the speaker and the Democratic party with the 2020 presidential elections looming large.