If removal becomes impossible, conviction becomes insensible.
In one light, it certainly does seem counterintuitive that an
office holder can elude Senate conviction.
By resignation or exploration of term,
an argument we heard made by the managers.
But this underscores that impeachment was never meant to be
the final forum.
For American justice.
Never meant to be the final forum for American justice.
Impeachment conviction.
And removal.
Are a specific intragovernmental safety valve.
It is not the criminal justice system.
Where individual accountability is the paramount goal.
Indeed.
Justice Story specifically reminded that while former officials were not
eligible.
For impeachment or conviction.
They were, and this is extremely important.
Still liable to be tried and punished in the ordinary
tribunals of justice.
Put another way.
In the language of today.
President Trump is still liable for everything he did while
he was in office.
As an ordinary citizen, unless the statute of limitations is
run,
still liable for everything he did while he's in office.
Didn't get away with anything yet.
Yeah, we have a criminal justice system in this country.
We have civil litigation.
And former presidents are not immune from being accountable by
either one.