This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
During the troublesome year 1998, it came to light that then-President Bill Clinton had had a dalliance with Monica Lewinsky. Sen. Orrin Hatch was loud and forceful in his call for impeachment and removal of Clinton from office. The charge? Obstruction of justice for his "vague" testimony to Congress concerning this issue.
Here is what Hatch had to say: "I find that William Jefferson Clinton did commit perjury and obstruct justice; that these offenses rise to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors; that William Jefferson Clinton should be convicted under the articles of impeachment, and that he must be removed as president."
Roll the clock ahead 18 years — yup, Hatch is still in the Senate. Now we have a president who has very likely colluded with Russia during his election campaign, and who hired a national-security adviser who had known ties both as a paid lobbyist for Turkey and with Russia. Furthermore, Trump shared secret, highly classified information with Russia in the Oval Office while president.
What does Hatch have to say about this? "It's something that's way blown out of proportion." He has no limits to his hypocrisy.
Sam Rushforth
Orem