San Diego State changes course title that implied Trump should be removed
San Diego State on Wednesday changed the name of one of its courses after the school was criticized for the title implying that President Trump should be impeached or removed from office.
The one-unit course, which begins on Friday, was titled “Trump: Impeachment, Removal or Conviction?” but now will drop Trump’s name from the title.
“In retrospect, we realize the title of the course … is inconsistent with the course content described,” the university said in a statement. “As a result, the title will be amended to accurately reflect this course offered now and for future offerings of this course.
“The course presents an overall framework of impeachment, removal, or criminal investigation of a president and rather than focusing on President Trump, reviews all 19 impeachments in U.S. history. The one-unit, weekend class is not a requirement for graduation and is not paid for by state funds.”
The course is offered through SDSU’s extended studies program and is meant for the general public. However, students can take the course and earn credit toward graduation.
The course is being taught by John Joseph Cleary, a lecturer who could not immediately be reached for comment.
The required textbook for the course is “The Case for Impeachment” by Allan J. Lichtman, a history professor at American University in Washington, D.C.
In late 2016, Lichtman predicted that Trump would win the presidency. He has correctly predicted the winning presidential candidate in every election since 1984.
The book, published in April 2017, examines the circumstances under which Trump could be impeached or removed from office. It also explores impeachment efforts throughout American history.
Brandon Jones, a student who chairs the school’s College Republicans group, told Fox News on Wednesday, “San Diego State seems to sending a very clear message. … They’re making a very strong claim that the president has sort of committed crimes of treason or bribery.”
gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com
Robbins writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune
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