The U.S. Senate has begun to try former President Donald Trump on the articles of impeachment proffered by the House of Representatives. Forty-five Senators have declared on record that this second impeachment is unconstitutional. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, has refused to preside over the trial, presumably because he thinks it is unconstitutional and that the evidence is not sufficient to bring the matter to trial. Notable constitutional legal scholars like Alan Dershowitz have said this impeachment is unconstitutional and that the evidence does not support the charge that Donald Trump incited insurrection.
Still, the Senate plods determinedly on. We the people wonder, why? Donald Trump is no longer the President, and he cannot be removed from office, which is the result of a conviction by the Senate. Isn’t this even more than unconstitutional? Is it not unjust and a violation of fundamental fairness?
The Apostles Peter and Paul were living in the Roman Empire when they wrote their epistles. Much has been written about how the Pax Romana brought peace and prosperity to those Rome ruled. We owe much to the legacy of Rome, including language, republican government, the importance of infrastructure, and legal principles. Rome was, however, a harsh and cruel master that ground others down to build itself up. They valued fairness, but they were selective in its application. At times, the Church was severely persecuted. Yet, through Paul and Peter the Holy Spirit urged believers to submit to civil authority:
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (1Peter 2:13-17 NLJV) *
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. (Romans 13:1-5 NKJV) *
There are passages in the Holy Bible that are easy for me to comply with. Some passages are more difficult, like those on forgiveness, loving your enemies, and even loving others in general. In all, I am only able to obey if I set aside my sinful human nature and yield to the Holy Spirit. It is only permissible for the Christian to disobey civil authority if we are being told to do something that is contrary to God’s commands as given in His Word. (Acts 4:19-20, 5:29)
Therefore, I urge my fellow Christians and other Americans to keep the peace. Brace yourselves for the possibility that the Senate will convict former President Trump. The Democrats have 50 votes and excellent party discipline. Five of the 50 Republican Senators did not publicly declare this impeachment to be unconstitutional. It is entirely possible that Donald Trump will be found guilty of inciting insurrection. If so, there is no appeal, and he can never hold public office again. That, my friends, is the real reason his enemies have him on trial.
If the Senate votes to convict, we must elect a Republican majority in both the House and the Senate and keep them there. We must elect a Republican president in 2024. We cannot do that until our state legislatures, in the states where it is needed, reform the election laws to give us just and legal elections. For the next two years, that is where we the people must put our best, peaceful, legal efforts.
