I am writing to you today as an American citizen to insist the Senate stop this impeachment trial. It is unconstitutional, divisive, and a waste of time. The United States Constitution is unquestionably clear on the purpose and limits of the impeachment of a president:

Article 2 Section 1 states: “The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years...”

Article 2 Section 4 states: “The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The key word in each of these constitutional provisions is “office.”

According to the plain language of the U.S. Constitution, impeachment may ONLY be used against a person currently in office. As you well know, on the morning of January 20, 2021, Donald J. Trump left the office of the president.

If impeachment could be used against former office holders, then every former office holder could be impeached by the majority party. Indeed, the controlling party could impeach all future presidential candidates who were former office holders.

Unless senators would like to see every past office holder brought up on impeachment charges – I strongly suggest you drop this punitive, mean-spirited, divisive, and unconstitutional trial.

Signed,