Letters to the Editor

Letter: Young’s rationale

Rep. Don Young voted against impeaching President Trump. Apparently, he did not see enough reason to vote for Trump’s impeachment.

Here are some quotes from his December 19, 1998 press release following his vote to impeach President Clinton over lying under oath to hide an affair from his family: “Today, the House undertook its constitutional authority to support and defend the Constitution of the United States by enforcing the rules established by the nation. The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief and top law enforcement official in the country, cannot be allowed to assault our system of justice and rule of law without prosecution. We as a society, and as the peoples Representatives would be undermining the Constitution if we did not act. The House of Representatives has a duty to the American people to ensure the moral obligation to uphold the rule of law…” He also said, “If a private citizen committed these illegal acts, penalties would be imposed,” “the President is not above the law” and “I believe the President needs to face the accountability of his actions before the American people.”

There is more in the press release to quote, but you get the idea. I wish Rep. Young would have reread his justification for Clinton’s impeachment before his vote against impeaching Trump. Clearly, Trump’ s actions are significantly more egregious than Clinton’s actions. Rep. Young is a decent man and I respect what he said in 1998. Now, I have a hard time trying to figure out his rationale to vote against the Trump impeachment.

— John Bauer

Anchorage

Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.

ADVERTISEMENT