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Jonathan Zimmerman, Opinion contributor Published 10:13 a.m. CT Jan. 24, 2020

Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. USA TODAY

Republicans are rightfully criticized for coordinating with Trump. But Democrats are just as biased if they aren't willing to change their minds.

Whenever a controversial political issue arises in my classroom, I ask students the same question: What evidence would get you to change your mind?

And if they cant answer that, I add, were done talking.

Of course, its OK for them to believe whatever they wish. But if they wont tell me what new information would alter their beliefs, theres really no point to having a discussion. Their views are more akin to religion, which is fine as well. Its just not something we can debate or deliberate.

In that spirit, Ive got a question for my fellow Democrats: What would get you to change your mind on the removal of President Donald Trump?

Everything and I do mean everything hangs in the balance.

For the past few weeks, weve been condemning Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ofKentucky and other Republicans for making up their minds before Trumps impeachment trial even starts. But have we done the same thing? And if so, how can we denounce the GOP for doing it?

Lets be clear: McConnell and his Republican henchmen already have violated the Senate oath they took recently to do impartial justice in the impeachment trial.

Back in December, McConnell flatly announced that hes not an impartial juror. He also admittedhe had been working with the Trump administration to win the presidents acquittal.

Everything I do during this, Im coordinating with the White House counsel, McConnell told Fox News, adding that there will be no difference between the presidents position and our position.

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Likewise, prominent GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has made his own position eminently transparent: Hes voting to acquitTrump, no matter what.

I am trying to give a pretty clear signal I have made up my mind, Graham said at a forum in Qatar last month. Im not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here.

That means Graham was pretendingwhen he took the oath of impartiality. Hes a martinet for Trump, and a liar to boot.

But the Senate Democrats swore to be impartial, as well.

Like my students, they should specify what would make them alter their stance. And if they cant, theyre no more impartial or honest than the Republicans they revile.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer at the Capitol in January 2020.(Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Let me be as clear as possible about my own beliefsand what would change them.

I have no doubt that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine, and a White House meeting,to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden and his sonHunter. On that matter, my mind is indeed made up. The evidencealready is overwhelming, which is why Republicans are trying to keep more of it out of the Senate trial.

Even so, should the president be removed for what he did? Thats a question of values, not of facts. And to remain true to my own values, I need to say what would change my mind about it.

I would oppose Trumps removal if someone could show me that doing so would permanently injure the ability of American presidents to conduct foreign policy.

I would oppose it if I was convincedthat removing Trump would make impeachment the go-to maneuver whenever the opposition party didnt like what the president was doing (which is always!).

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And I would oppose it if I could agreethat Trumps behavior however aberrant or improper doesnt rise to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors.

Yes, theres a long historical record suggesting that the Founding Fathers didnt think you needed to commit a crime to merit impeachment. But isnt that precisely the kind of original intent argument that we liberals tend to dismiss in other political battles?

After all, the authors of the Bill of Rights surely didnt think it implied a right to have an abortion. Yet the Constitution is a living document, as we like to say, and its interpretation evolves across time. In 2020 as opposed to 1787 there might be a good reason to rethink the standard for impeachment, just as there is reason to protect abortion rights.

As of right now, I think Trump should be removed. But I must keep my mind open to new arguments and evidence, instead of closing myself off before we have heard them. If I cant, Im no better than Mitch McConnell or Lindsey Graham. Neither are you.

Jonathan Zimmerman teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania.

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Impeachment: Republicans are in the tank for Trump, but Democrats aren't impartial, either - Abilene Reporter-News