Far be it for a newspaper to encourage its readers often to turn on the television, but this is an extraordinary time in the history of the United States.
Though the president’s core supporters may reject the current impeachment proceedings as a farce, only the most partisan Americans are unwilling to understand that the allegations against Donald Trump are serious, substantial, and worthy of investigation. Though the president might be able to deliver tax cuts for the wealthy and load the federal courts with conservative ideologues, that does not exempt him from the rule of law and for his administration’s refusal to cooperate with the House investigation.
As grave as the matter of using presidential power for personal political gain is, it is also important to see how the members of the congressional committees investigating his administration conduct themselves — as part of a proudly coequal branch of government or as Mr. Trump’s servile followers. Watch closely.