Locals react to impeachment proceedings against President Trump

The Tribune-Review sought reaction to the impeachment proceedings against President Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here is some of what people in Western Pennsylvania had to say:

Sindy Diaz, 48, of Greensburg, Republican

“I believe this sham impeachment is a giant waste of the taxpayers money and time. Adam Schiff (the California Democrat who serves as House Intelligence Committee Chairman) and the national Democratic party are insulting the intelligence of the American people. We saw through the phony Russian collusion, and I think people are seeing through the fake Ukrainian impeachment as nothing more than political theatre.

The American people aren’t buying what the Democratic party is selling, which is post-term abortion, gun confiscation and the Green New Deal, which would kill the fossil fuel industry and make our cost of living prohibitively expensive. The American people do not want socialism, which is ultimately what the Democratic party is pushing. The Democrats will stop at nothing to try and remove President Trump, and I think it is backfiring in a major way in the places that matter for 2020.”

Desmond Grace, 40, of Greensburg, Democrat

“I’ve removed myself from national politics. I’m aware that that is going on, but as far as the impact on me and the city I live in I don’t see the overall impact because Westmoreland County is still trying to find itself in the wake of the last national election. This is the same process that has been going on since the last presidential election of people choosing sides, not figuring out what is right or what’s wrong and often going with blind loyalty to one party or the other. I would hope through this that people would figure where their morals fit into things.”

Shannon Hubble, 20, of Mt. Pleasant

President of the Seton Hill College Democrats

”I think it’s crazy that I’m living through a time like this. Whenever I learned about impeachment in the Bill Clinton scandal in school, it felt much different. The way it feels right now is more like a crisis. The sheer number of people who are engaged in this is hard to believe. And people have really strong feelings about impeachment. It’s just crazy.”

Dennis Kapp, 75, of Delmont, Republican

“It’s very boring, very boring and untruthful. It’s just made-up deals, just a big show. A waste of my time. Adam Schiff is the most crooked person. I just want the truth. And what they have done to this president for three and a half years, no one could take this. And he still got the job done. I am waiting for (U.S. Attorney General William) Barr and (Connecticut U.S. Attorney John) Durham to release their report. I have Democrat friends of mine who are sick over this.”

Taylor Lintelman, 23, of Penn Township,

President of the Pitt-Greensburg College Republicans

”I believe what is going on is an embarrassment. I don’t think what they’re doing to the president is right in any way. I think it is harassment. I don’t think it is worth the time. They’re not getting anything accomplished. They aren’t accomplishing anything.”

Mitchel Nickols, pastor of Bibleway Church in New Kensington,

Adjunct professor of ethical leadership, Point Park University

“When I look at what’s happening in our government from an ethical perspective, I’m looking at a lens that is concerned about the values we are portraying. … People are what their values are. I’m concerned about the portrayal of values and is this really what America wants to portray in terms of behavior for our leaders?

“It doesn’t matter which party we’re talking about, ethical leadership impacts the nation. There are deep concerns because it seems that we in America have moved away from some of the foundational things that will help us be sustainable as a nation.”

Carlotta Paige, Latrobe, Democrat

Co-founder of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition

“Right now, I’m thinking these impeachment proceedings are dividing the country. I don’t know that we will get the result that I think is needed. I think we need a change in this country, that people are too divided. Not saying the president doesn’t need impeached. I’m just saying there is a divide in this country, and that is not helping resolve the many problems we face.”

David Regoli, 54, of Lower Burrell, Democrat

Lawyer and former county judge

“I’ve watched as much as possible and, in my mind, … there is no question the president did what the Democrats think he did. It’s just there is no way in the world the Senate would remove him unless there was a good chance the Republicans were in jeopardy of losing the majority, then I think they would throw him under the bus.”