Letter to the editor: Tlaib misinformed on impeachment

Newly sworn in to Congress, Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib is getting some negative feedback regarding the profanity she used in a recent speech. Apparently, Tlaib was caught up in the excitement of discussing the opportunity to impeach President Donald Trump.

In an online article, CNN noted that advocating a move to impeach the president was an important component of her election campaign, and included this quote from her Twitter account from March: “”Why am I running (for Congress)? Because this is about electing the jury to impeach (Trump) and I will make a heck of a juror.”

If that genuinely was her reason for running for a seat in the House of Representatives, then someone needs to tell her that she has made a significant error. According to the Constitution, it is the Senate, not the House, that acts as the jury in impeachment proceedings. The House acts as investigator and prosecutor, but the Senate determines guilt or innocence.

Tlaib may “make a heck of a juror,” but it probably won’t be in an impeachment trial.

Andrew Mewbourn

Hempfield