ALISON Rowat gets it spot on ("Not even Hollywood could trump this twist in Russia tale", The Herald, July 13). She says: "Even if the committee deliberations result in condemnation of the President, the currently Republican-controlled House is unlikely to impeach, or the Senate to convict". This indicates the difficulties of ousting Donald Trump from the White House.
Impeachment would not necessarily bring about the end of his presidency. Impeachment is a charge and not a verdict. If it happens, it would be the first of two stages. The US Constitution states that the President shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours. This means he would be impeached and then stand trial on the impeachment. The sole power to impeach lies with the House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. The sole power to try the impeachment lies with the Senate, the upper house. If a trial happens, the Senate has to reach a two-thirds majority to convict, and, if not, to acquit.
Only two US presidents have been impeached, Andrew Johnson in 1868 in the bitter aftermath of the Civil War and Bill Clinton in 1998-99. In each case, the trial by the Senate did not produce the two-thirds majority to convict and the President continued in office.
Whatever comes about, Mr Trump would certainly fight all the way. Many twists and turns are likely in this extraordinary tale before it reaches its conclusion.
Christopher Reekie,
12 Orchard Drive, Edinburgh.
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