The House of Representatives pursued the impeachment of Donald Trump for two reasons: They wanted to make a public record of the events leading to the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, and they wanted to seek to disqualify Trump from seeking office again. Whether impeachment is the best way to investigate the events surrounding Jan. 6 is debatable. No matter, there are additional avenues still open to compile a thorough record of the tragedy.
As to the disqualification of Trump from seeking another federal public office, conviction by impeachment might have achieved the technical goal but at an enormous cost. Millions of Trump supporters would have organized and demonstrated around the disqualification to perpetuate our divisions and further threaten our democratic system.
If Trump is to be blocked from further public office, it is critical to protect the integrity of the electoral system. Many of his supporters have shown that they are unwilling to accept the results of a legitimate election. But many others have accepted the results and are prepared to move to the next step in their journey. Over time (two years, four years or perhaps more), a series of legitimate elections will resolve the issue one way or the other.
If we believe in the electoral process, let it decide whether Trump is qualified for further public service.
RICHARD A. HESSE
Hopkinton