Newswise — New Brunswick, N.J. — Experts at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University—New Brunswick are available for interviews to discuss the impeachment proceedings. 

Professor Farmer is available for commentary and analysis on the current impeachment proceedings. Farmer can speak about the impeachment process, the history of impeachment in the United States, the Constitutional implications of impeachment, and what this means for the country in 2020 and beyond. Farmer can also speak about higher education’s role in teaching students about impeachment and how Eagleton is teaching students to engage in respectful political discussions about it.

Farmer said, "Presidential impeachment has been viewed for much of our history as a measure of last resort, because removal of a sitting president through the impeachment process represents a frustration of the electoral process. The fact that three presidents in the past fifty years have faced impeachment, however, tells us much about the divided state of our politics; I worry that impeachment will become the new political normal. Nevertheless, it is. Congress's duty is to investigate instances of presidential misconduct and, where it believes that misconduct is severe enough to warrant removal, to act."

  • John Weingart, Associate Director, Eagleton Institute of Politics

Professor Weingart is available for commentary and analysis on the impeachment proceedings and the influence they may have nationwide and in New Jersey during the 2020 election. Weingart can also speak about higher education’s role in teaching students about impeachment and how Eagleton is teaching students to engage in respectful political discussions about it.

Weingart said, “The small number of past Congressional considerations of presidential impeachment make it impossible to reliably predict the course or impact of the present situation. We can, however, look to the past for questions to ask and options to consider as we seek to analyze the unfolding day-to-day and week-to-week events.”

Dr. Koning is available for commentary on and analysis of polling on the impeachment proceedings, favorability of politicians, and partisan divisions within public opinion. Koning can also speak about how the impeachment proceedings can affect voters’ opinions during the 2020 election.

Koning said, “Overall support for impeachment has ticked upward toward a plurality, but Americans are still somewhat split when it comes to impeaching President Trump. Support varies drastically by party and is also heavily impacted by how the question is worded given the inherent complexities of explaining the impeachment process.”

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The Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University—New Brunswick explores state and national politics through research, education, and public service, linking the study of politics with its day-to-day practice. The Institute focuses attention on how the American political system works, how it changes, and how it might work better. To learn more about Eagleton programs and expertise, visit eagleton.rutgers.edu.

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