With clear evidence, Grassley and Ernst must vote to convict

A week after the infamous Capitol takeover on Jan. 6, the U.S. House impeached Donald Trump for inciting insurrection. The impeachment proceeding is now on it's way to a Senate trial and conviction vote; but Senate Republicans have tried to muddy the issue of Trump accountability.

By questioning the constitutionality of the impeachment process, most Senate Republicans, including Iowa's Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, took action to shift the focus away from Trump and the attack on the Capitol. The conviction vote will settle the matter. To protect democracy and our Constitution, I pray that Grassley and Ernst vote yes to the charge of inciting insurrection. Trump's behind the scenes effort to overturn the Electoral College balloting and his well publicized words and deeds on Jan. 6 are clear evidence for conviction. And barring Donald Trump from holding any federal office in the future is also necessary. I hope Grassley and Ernst and other Republicans find the will to abandon Trump and stand up against the insidious Trump cult within the Republican Party. If not, the stain of shame will likely define their congressional legacy. This country needs and deserves healthy political parties. Iowans expect no less.

Robert Dietrich

Iowa City