After failing to impeach Trump, House Democrats owe an apology to Ukraine | Letter to the editor

The Democrats currently serving in the United States House of Representatives as a result of their impeachment action have accused the president of the Ukraine and the United States of lying.

The presidents were engaged in a phone conversation on July 25, 2019, and following that conversation both were asked about a whistle-blower’s accusation that the U.S. president presented a “quid pro quo” arrangement to the Ukraine president threatening the withholding of US military aid unless an investigation into a former U.S. vice president was initiated.

Based on the whistle-blower’s second hand information, allegedly from an individual who heard the presidents’ conversation, the House Democrats felt they had enough evidence for an investigation. Witnesses were next called and the evidence against President Trump was deemed to be overwhelming and the impeachment was passed.

After a lengthy, unexplained delay it was sent to the US Senate for trial. The senators reviewed the House evidence and determined that hearsay evidence was not appropriate for any conviction and dismissed the case. As identified the two presidents have both asserted that the “quid pro quo” did not occur.

With the trial finally concluded, it is time for the Congress of the United States, specifically the House of Representatives, to send an appropriately worded apology to the president and the people of the Ukraine. The House Democrats have embarrassed our country deeply and we can only hope they will move to correct this embarrassment with President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people immediately.

Steve Wilson

Sarasota