Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is violating his constitutional duty by treating an impeachment trial as a merely political process while burying all chance for a full and reasonable consideration of the evidence. By contemptuously dismissing even the goal of being “an impartial juror,” and by openly coordinating with the president’s defense team, McConnell brings grave dishonor upon the Senate.

McConnell ought to allow House impeachment managers to call material witnesses, especially if those witnesses have heretofore been blocked by the president from testifying to the facts of the case. McConnell should tell all senators not to prejudge their verdicts. Mostly, McConnell should ensure truly due process for both sides in service both of the Constitution and the citizenry.