Just as Trump tried to engage a foreign government to announce an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden and ordered up a probe of Hillary Clinton (which came to nothing), this is an egregious perversion of the rule of law. The president, like a tin-pot dictator, now uses the Justice Department to shield his criminal cronies, putting his finger on the scale in a way no other president has done in the modern era.
As he did in spinning the Mueller report and refusing to consider seriously the criminal implications of the whistleblower’s report, Attorney General William P. Barr has refused to defy the president or defend the reputation of his department. Former federal prosecutor Joyce White Vance tweeted:
As he did in spinning the Mueller report and refusing to consider seriously the criminal implications of the whistleblower’s report, Attorney General William P. Barr has refused to defy the president or defend the reputation of his department. Former federal prosecutor Joyce White Vance tweeted:
There are a few things that could be done:
First, the judge in the Stone case, Judge Amy Berman Jackson, could reject the revised recommendation, implicitly or explicitly rebuking the Justice Department. Second, while unlikely to be productive, the House can subpoena Barr to testify and explain the reversal. (He previously refused to respond to a House subpoena and was held in contempt.) Third, the House could open impeachment hearings on Barr, something I suggested previously when he refused to comply with a lawful subpoena and allowed his lawyers to misrepresent the facts in the Census case (only to be rebuked by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.). Finally, a wave of resignations of Justice Department officials might alert the country to the dangers of Trump erasing the line between partisan politics and the administration of the law (though Trump and his supporters may be delighted to fill their spots with more political cronies).
I have written before that the republic hangs by a thread. That thread is getting more and more tenuous.
Image: reddit.com
12 comments:
Trump may end up being the best motivator the dems have ever had. Get out the vote donnie.
Let's hope so, rumley. But it's reported this morning that the youth vote was down in New Hampshire. That's not a good sign.
I read that turnout was up from 2016 but they said nothing about youth.
I heard that, too, rumley. The old are more reliable voters. But, if the democrats are going to win, they'll have to bring out voters between the ages of 18-29.
Robert Reich posted this to Facebook:
Barr has turned the DOJ into Trump's stooge.
McConnell has turned the Senate into Trump's rubber stamp.
Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have turned the Supreme Court into Trump's doormat.
The GOP has turned itself into a Trump cult.
At what point do we call this a dictatorship?
That's precisely the question, Mound. Apparently, there are a lot of people who aren't interested in answering it.
"I have the absolute right to do it."
Is there something very troubling in the choice of words in this casual remark? I guess it really is too easy when a genius is gifted with so much stability.
Is this any better:
"I'd be able to do it if I wanted."
"Absolute Right" sounds like "Divine Right," John. After all, Trump has claimed that he's the "Chosen One."
.. Look for Judge Amy Berman Jackson to perhaps deliver Barr et al the full forehand headslap the Impeachment Presiding Judge failed to give McConnell. The Trump camel's back breaketh, oh mi oh myo ! .. Does American actually want or need another 'last straw' piled on ? America resembles a banana republic.. and in fact seems it actually is one now.
It's now abundantly clear that the president is a teapot dictator, sal.
The attacks upon Trumps perceived enemies are disgusting. It places these people and their families in danger. In Trump's view they need to go.
When the Senate Republicans gave Trump a pass, they unleashed him and democracy as Americans have known it has been lost. it may never be regained.
Trump is doing exactly as he said he would when he was running. Why is any one surprised by this. He showed his hand when he banned Muslims from the U.S.A., sent children to concentration camps, etc. None of this behaviour is new.
The Republican politicians care more about their personal incomes and life styles to do anything about Trump's behaviour and we will see worse in the U.S.A. within the next few weeks. as to the Judge, it is doubtful she will be interested in taking Trump on. Her boss has spoken out, but Chief Justice Roberts has been quiet.
With 4 prosecutors resigning, you'd think you'd see demonstrations in the streets, like we have in Hong Kong, but not so much. Either Americans don't care, don't believe, or are too scared. We haven't even heard Law Society's speak out.
I suspect the judge will not be bullied by Trump, e.a.f. She will simply apply the law as written.
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