Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution:
The President “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”
State of the Union viewers saw the President do exactly that when he gave a copy to Nancy Pelosi for the House of Representatives, and another copy to Vice President Pence, who is president of the Senate. By handing them those papers, President Trump complied with his constitutional duties (a speech is not required).
By destroying the copy given to the House of Representative, Pelosi violated 18 USC § 2071, which reads:
“(a)Whoever willfully and unlawfully conceals, removes, mutilates, obliterates, or destroys, or attempts to do so, or, with intent to do so takes and carries away any record, proceeding, map, book, paper, document, or other thing, filed or deposited with any clerk or officer of any court of the United States, or in any public office, or with any judicial or public officer of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.”
Viewers saw her tear up the President’s official communication to the Congress’ copy for the House, and the law is clear. She should be prosecuted and removed from office.
Tom Riegle, Lima
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