To the Editor:

Re “G.O.P. Scrambling to Collect Votes to Bar Witnesses” (front page, Jan. 29):

I have listened to the presentations by both sides in the impeachment trial. As a lawyer, I am perplexed by President Trump’s defense.

First, most legal scholars agree that impeachment does not require a crime, despite arguments otherwise by Mr. Trump’s lawyers. Second, a Ukrainian investigation of Joe Biden and his son has already been conducted, with no finding of misconduct on the part of either of them. Third, how is the Mueller investigation relevant to the impeachment case against Mr. Trump?

Linda Sayler

Oakland, Calif.

To the Editor:

President Trump’s attorneys have argued that it is inappropriate to impeach Mr. Trump so close to an election. Whether or not Mr. Trump remains in office is, so they say, a decision that should be reserved to the people and not to the Senate.

For the people to make an informed decision in November, we are entitled to hear all relevant information. If the president’s team truly believes that this matter is best decided by the people, it should have no objection to the people hearing from all relevant witnesses and seeing all relevant documents.