7 of our top opinion columns this week: ICYMI

1. Republican impeachment lies are protecting Trump, but they could destroy America

By Gabriel Schoenfeld

“It would be one thing — semi-respectable — if Republicans were to maintain that Trump’s misdeeds in Ukraine, however deplorable, did not rise to the level of an impeachable offense. But it is something else entirely to recycle Russian-inspired propaganda … or to deny the obvious fact that there was a quid, a pro and a quo.”

2. Eastwood’s ‘Richard Jewell’ had promise. Why’d he have to spoil it with falsehoods?

By James Alan Fox

“I was really looking forward to seeing Clint Eastwood’s new film, ‘Richard Jewell’ … (but) Eastwood (was) reckless in his characterization of a former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter, who is depicted offering sexual favors in exchange for a scoop. … Offering a global disclaimer about certain events being changed for dramatic appeal is insufficient when those changes disparage people, be they alive or dead.”

Black eye (Photo: Bob Englehart/Middletown, Connecticut/PoliticalCartoons.com)

3. Donald Trump’s impeachment defenders set a dangerous precedent

By The Editorial Board

“(Republican) Senate jurors, who will be sworn to impartiality, are colluding with the defense lawyers to help ensure a favorable outcome at trial. … Future Democratic presidents will look at this behavior and expect it of their own party, giving them a sense of invincibility. The actions of Trump’s Republican enablers aren’t good … for the GOP of the future, when the tables inevitably turn.”

4. Trump impeachment is a monumental victory against blatant corruption and for democracy

By Jason Sattler

“The House has marked Trump’s presidency with the permanent stain it deserves. This necessary step is the only tool the Founders gave us to charge a chief executive who would use his office to deny Americans the ability to pick his replacement. And it’s a tribute to the activists and voters who made it possible — along with the House members who’ve been told they’re risking their careers with this vote.”

5. Rural justice systems low on pretrial resources leave some to languish, die

By Pamela Metzger

“As criminal justice reform sweeps through America’s cities, it leaves behind America’s heartlands. In rural America, small towns and tribal communities, police and prosecutors, judges and jails, defenders and defendants struggle to create and sustain safe, smart and compassionate criminal justice systems. Too often they fail, not for lack of heart, but for lack of funds.”

Careful with that. (Photo: Rick McKee/Counterpoint/PoliticalCartoons.com)

6. Trump impeachment: Pelosi reclaims the Constitution for liberals and today’s America

By Alexander Heffner

“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is making the Constitution great again. Furthermore, she is charting a path forward for the Democratic Party to once again be the guardians of civil society and democracy — and to make the liberals on the Supreme Court, and on the streets of America, the true originalists.”

7. Democrats brought a gavel to an impeachment gun fight. Trump’s 2020 rivals must do better.

By Kurt Bardella

“Setting aside for a second the complete baselessness of the GOP defense of Trump, the party’s tactics and message discipline have proved effective. Public support for impeachment is virtually unchanged from Nov. 13, when the marathon of House hearings began. In their rush to complete the impeachment process by Dec. 20, Democrats have missed what could have been meaningful opportunities to expose Republicans for the hypocrites that they are.”

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to [email protected].

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