Your suggestion that Biden has used the DOJ to go after political enemies carries an implication that you do not believe Trump committed the crimes he's been accused of. But he had the classified documents and refused to give them up. He was convicted in the Stormy Daniels case. Do you believe we should never prosecute an ex-president by nature of their past position? Or do you believe no one is above the law?
In my opinion, the charges against Trump were specious, politically motivated, and violated norms. Without getting into the weeds of each case, I believe charges were only brought against Trump because he was seeking reelection. Should ex-presidents be above the law? You may not like my answer, but I guess it depends on the crimes. I do not want any president of any party to weaponize the DOJ. I believe Biden did this, and I have not seen this from Trump. If I am wrong and Trump does this in the future, I will be his loudest critic.
Interesting. I'd argue that, had Trump not been running for re-election, the cases against him would have been charged MORE aggressively. But that's just speculation.
I'm generally of the opinion that Trump committed crimes and deserves to be prosecuted for those crimes. Refusing to return classified documents, using his political office to try to sway state elections, and paying someone off to keep their story from influencing an election all seem worthy of prosecution to me. But I get that we live in a world where we don't all agree on the magnitude of those crimes.
I genuinely hope Trump won't weaponize the DOJ, but he's repeatedly indicated he will, and I tend to believe him.
On the other hand, you have this piece, which says Biden wouldn't stand in the way of the DOJ but that Harris said she would direct her administration to pursue charges against Trump:
Trump's own record suggests otherwise. Trump has not weaponized the DOJ to go after his political enemies. Biden on the other hand...
Your suggestion that Biden has used the DOJ to go after political enemies carries an implication that you do not believe Trump committed the crimes he's been accused of. But he had the classified documents and refused to give them up. He was convicted in the Stormy Daniels case. Do you believe we should never prosecute an ex-president by nature of their past position? Or do you believe no one is above the law?
In my opinion, the charges against Trump were specious, politically motivated, and violated norms. Without getting into the weeds of each case, I believe charges were only brought against Trump because he was seeking reelection. Should ex-presidents be above the law? You may not like my answer, but I guess it depends on the crimes. I do not want any president of any party to weaponize the DOJ. I believe Biden did this, and I have not seen this from Trump. If I am wrong and Trump does this in the future, I will be his loudest critic.
Interesting. I'd argue that, had Trump not been running for re-election, the cases against him would have been charged MORE aggressively. But that's just speculation.
I'm generally of the opinion that Trump committed crimes and deserves to be prosecuted for those crimes. Refusing to return classified documents, using his political office to try to sway state elections, and paying someone off to keep their story from influencing an election all seem worthy of prosecution to me. But I get that we live in a world where we don't all agree on the magnitude of those crimes.
I genuinely hope Trump won't weaponize the DOJ, but he's repeatedly indicated he will, and I tend to believe him.
I am sincerely asking this questionтАж
Was it Biden who requested that Trump be charged? Or was it the DOJ? Because theyтАЩre supposed to be separate arms of the government.
I don't know if we'll ever know conclusively, to be honest.
On the one hand, you have this article, which TL, DR says the two are separate and Biden didn't have the authority:
https://www.newsweek.com/did-joe-biden-indict-donald-trump-jan-6-1817193
(August 2023)
On the other hand, you have this piece, which says Biden wouldn't stand in the way of the DOJ but that Harris said she would direct her administration to pursue charges against Trump:
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/06/899375561/biden-says-he-wouldnt-stand-in-the-way-of-a-trump-prosecution
(August 2020)
Regardless, I think this is an enduring sentiment now:
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/biden-doj-crossed-political-rubicon-with-trump-indictment
(June 2023)