A powerful indictment of President Trump as a liar who has violated his oath of office

Cartoonist Rick McKee of The Augusta Chronicle in Georgia laying out the agenda of the Democratic majority in the House of Representative.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The New York Times Opinion section doesn't carry the force of law, but Columnist David Leonhardt is as close as we'll get until the Mueller report is issued.

"The People vs. Donald J. Trump" is the headline over Leonhardt's column on the cover of The Times' Sunday Review.

"He is demonstrably unfit for office. What are we waiting for?" is the sub-headline.

The columnist lays out the case against President Trump in the first three paragraphs and fleshes out his argument over an entire newspaper page that follows.

Here are the introductory paragraphs:

"The presidential oath of office contains 35 words and one core promise; 'to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.' Since virtually the moment Donald J. Trump took that oath two years ago, he has been violating it.

"He has repeatedly put his own interest above those of the country. He has used the presidency to promote his businesses. He has accepted financial gifts from foreign countries. He has lied to the American people about his relationship with a hostile foreign government. He has tolerated cabinet officials who use their power to enrich themselves.

"To shield himself  from accountability from all of this -- and for his unscrupulous presidential campaign -- he has set out to undermine the American system of checks and balances. He has called for the prosecution of his political enemies and the protection of his allies. He has attempted to obstruct justice. He has tried to shake the confidence in one democratic institution after another, including the press, federal law enforcement and the judiciary."

To read the full opinion column-cum-indictment, see:

The People vs. Donald J. Trump