Impeachment inquiry sparks conversation amongst students

By: Nolan Cleary

Staff writer

Students are divided on their view of the announcement of an official impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, announced Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Impeachment is not a foreign concept to the American people. For months, multiple Democratic members of Congress, primarily Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) have advocated for the impeachment of the sitting President. 

There have been just three other incidents in which the U.S. House of Representatives opted to launch an impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States.

The first was in 1868 when Democrat Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Abraham Lincoln as President, was criticized by the Republican-controlled Congress for his handling of reconstruction. 

The second, in 1974 when an impeachment inquiry was launched into Republican President Richard Nixon for revelations regarding the infamous Watergate scandal. 

The third was in 1998 when the Republican-controlled Congress launched an inquiry into the Presidency of Democratic President Bill Clinton following him admitting to lying under oath about Monica Lewinsky. Two of these inquiries led to a successful impeachment, while another led to the only resignation of a President in American history.

To understand what’s currently going on, one must first know how impeachment works.

“Impeachment is a two step process, and it’s a term you can use in two very different contexts,”  said Hudson Valley Community College history professor Alan Joseph. “The first step is the House of Representatives votes articles of impeachment against a President, Vice President or some government official [and] if that passes the House, it goes to the Senate for trial.”

The reasoning behind the calls for impeachment involved President Trump making a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the call, Trump asked Zelensky to look into the business dealings of Hunter Biden.

Hunter Biden is the son of former U.S. Vice President and Democratic candidate for President in 2020 Joe Biden. Many have interpreted the calls as a request for a foreign leader to dig up dirt on a President’s adversary. 

Many Democrats have advocated impeachment for months. A previous proposal for an inquiry into the President, introduced by Texas Congressman Al Green, was shot down by Democrats in the House. 

With recent revelations coming out to the public, Speaker Nancy Pelosi seemed to be putting aside many of her previous reservations, supporting an impeachment inquiry into the President. 

Even the Hudson Valley’s own Antonio Delgado, who previously stopped a previous attempt to launch an inquiry, said he favors fully going forward with the process. Delgado is in a district Trump won by 7 points. 

Robert Whitaker, a political science professor at Hudson Valley Community College, said that Democrats may have some convincing to do if they want the American people to approve of a potential impeachment. 

“The understanding is [the charges against the President] have got to be serious,” Whitaker said. “We can’t just do this because we don’t like the guy.”

According to Joseph, much of the Democratic Party’s reservations over the last few months may have to do with the upcoming presidential election next year. 

“I think part of the reluctance Professor Whitaker is alluding to is the idea that if this person is so bad, guess what, we’ve got a remedy,” said Joseph. “It’s called another election, and as you probably already know it’s 2019, and they’re already gearing up for another election in 2020.” 

At Hudson Valley Community College, students are conflicted on the impeachment inquiry launched into President Trump. 

Adam Carr, an individual studies major, said he is indifferent but that he doesn’t believe Biden is in the clear either. 

“What Joe Biden’s son did wasn’t ethical either, but I guess it doesn’t make it fair to [investigate him],” said Carr. “No, I don’t think [President Trump] should’ve done it.” 

Many Democrats still have reservations, arguing the party could suffer during next year’s elections. In 1998, Republicans lost seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after impeaching then-President Bill Clinton. 

Some Democrats fear a similar instance could be on the horizon if they aren’t careful. Carr said he thinks Democrats should put those fears to rest if they feel it’s the right thing to do. 

“If they think he needs to be impeached, he needs to be impeached,” he said. 

Individual studies major Nigeriah Jenkins said Trump should be impeached.

“I can kind of understand the concerns and precautions being taken, but I don’t think something like this should be feared,” Jenkins said.

Some students expressed reservations over the idea of impeachment due to the prospects of a Mike Pence presidency. 

“I don’t like [President Trump] personally,” said communications major Jacquelynn Gori. “I don’t think he’s a good man, but if we impeach him we get Pence [and] Pence is the scarier of the two.” 

Joe Sestak, a former Congressman who represented Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, is currently a Democratic candidate for President. His campaign was contacted and submitted the following statement:

“Upon review and given due cause, the Constitutional duty of Congress is to investigate the outreach of America’s leader – in a non partisan manner – and determine if an impeachable offense has been committed. There is no choice. This is a nation of laws – to be followed by the President and Congress – not men. There is nothing more sacred to the sanctity of our free and fair elections. If the Commander-in-Chief occupying the Presidency were to invite a foreign leader to desecrate that sacristy, that would be an impeachable offense.”

A poll taken by the Hudsonian amongst 100 students revealed that 41% of students favor impeachment, while 27% said they’re against it. 32% says they’re unsure as to whether President Trump should be impeached or not.