Dear Senators, I write to encourage you to demand the admission of evidence in the form of testimony and submittal of documentation in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

We the people and you the jury must see this evidence to better understand what has occurred and in your case, as jurors, to make the most well-informed decision possible. I understand an impeachment is a political process and that many of the president’s supporters believe Democrats have simply dug up fake or insignificant information and fabricated a baseless argument.

But it’s important to keep in mind that behind the House charges is the testimony of numerous career civil servants and military personnel who believe that the president’s actions have jeopardized the security of the U.S. and jeopardized our democratic, election processes.

These are extremely serious concerns. No matter what disdain Democrat politicians may have for Mr. Trump, the charges are coming not from politicians but ‘‘apolitical” civil servants and military personnel. The testimony we’ve heard so far, as serious it is, should not be allowed to stand on its own. Those who have provided the testimony may have biases. They certainly don’t provide a complete picture.

No one should vote, for or against, the removal of this president from office without the most complete body of information possible, so it’s critical that you demand that evidence be brought forward. I appreciate that any Republican demanding more evidence will face the wrath of the president and his cohort. It is entirely possible he will successfully attack your re-election bid.

I appreciate that confronting the loss of one’s job, particularly one as powerful, important and prestigious as a U.S. senator is a very difficult pill to swallow. But think about this in the next few days — you, like so many American men and women in our military, have sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. But unlike those others, your potential cost in standing up to protect and defend the country is small.

All too many others who have taken that oath didn’t get the chance to wake up and carry on the next day.

Peter R. Root

Hadley