Commentary: Former members say the Senate must defend democracy

FILE- In this Oct. 26, 2018, file photo the rising sun silhouettes the U.S. Capitol dome at daybreak in Washington. The Treasury Department issues a report Tuesday, Nov. 13, on how much money Uncle Sam took in and paid out last month. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)As former members of the U.S. Senate, Democrats and Republicans, it is our shared view that we are entering a dangerous period, and we feel an obligation to speak up about serious challenges to the rule of law, the Constitution, our governing institutions and our national security.

We are on the eve of the conclusion of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and the House's commencement of investigations of the president and…