Trump’s acquittal marks a dark day for US democracy | Letters

Matt Minshall says the problem is party-first politics, while Daniel Peacock writes that Congress has failed to hold the president to account. Plus letters from Pete Stockwell and Magi Young

The deepest problem affecting the progress and development of democracy is the crippling dominance of party-first politics (Senate Republicans stand by their man and Trump wins his second acquittal, 13 February). It restricts the power of politicians to act in the best interests of their countries and their people.

The clear illustration of the power of party politics has been the trial of Donald Trump. Before the trial began, and ahead of any formal evidence being heard, the base of the Republican party had already decided the outcome. Thus, the verdict of one of the most politically important trials in history was given based on party dogma and not on the evidence, nor in the interests of the country.