Baghdadi's death gives Trump a timely win but unlikely to slow impeachment

An audacious military raid that ended with the death of the US government’s most-wanted terrorist delivered Donald Trump a political boost just when he needed it most.

Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s demise provided the president at least a brief respite from the House’s accelerating impeachment inquiry, and also served as a measure of redemption after a messy retreat of US forces in Syria that had drawn criticism from both parties.

Al-Baghdadi’s death during a US special forces raid drew measured praise from Democrats but surely won’t eclipse impeachment, which looks increasingly likely to end with Trump’s trial in the Senate.