The decision to impeach the President of the United States is the most momentous action that the Congress can take. An indictment by the House of Representatives strikes at the heart of the executive branch. A trial by the Senate is a political spectacle that rivets the nation's attention. It is crucial that the public's perception is that a "fair and impartial trial" was held. This is the story of an older high school history teacher, very close to retirement, who dealt with the impeachment of Andrew Johnson in the aftermath of the Civil War, and in more recent times the trial of Donald Trump. He did so in face of withering partisan criticism from those who would censor and dictate what is taught in the classroom. He did so to honor those few courageous members of the Senate who rejected conventional wisdom and voted on the basis of personal conviction heedless of the political costs. In doing so he did not shay away from challenging racial issues that were the backdrop to the impeachment trials.
