Legal experts reacted to Thursday’s indictment of former President Donald Trump in a classified documents investigation by the Department of Justice, saying the case needed to be strong to avoid a partisan image. claimed to be.
Trump announced the indictment Thursday night on Truth Social.His lawyer Jim Trusty later Confirmed CNN reported that the former president was indicted on seven counts, including one count under the Espionage Act and other counts involving obstruction of justice, making false statements and destroying or falsifying records. The indictment remains sealed, but legal experts said potential charges should be considered in light of other lawsuits the Justice Department has filed or declined to file.
Harvard University Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz I have written Substack Friday said the indictment “better the strongest obstruction of justice since Richard Nixon” and anything less “strikes a partisan double standard.”
“The onus is on this administration to prove that this lawsuit is so strong that it would be a great injustice not to file a lawsuit,” he said. “It must be much stronger than the unsuccessful lawsuits against Hillary Clinton, Joseph Biden, Sandy Berger, and Mike Pence. They will probably pass the test, Even if they pass, there will be no basis for complaints.”
Jonathan Turley tweeted On Thursday night, the accusations of mishandling the documents “will be offensive to some of Biden’s legal team because these documents have been moved repeatedly over a long period of time,” adding that “these counts of documents “It’s not clear if it’s about moving or moving documents.” mere property. ”
“The fact that Trump has faced criminal investigations and allegations in all three presidential campaigns may give him a fairly novel campaign slogan that promises a pardon for federal charges if elected. No,” he continued.
But more liberal pundits argued that prosecution was necessary and in line with the rule of law.
Neil Katial, Georgetown Law Professor, Former Acting U.S. Attorney General during the Obama Administration, Said Thursday night, this is “really the only outcome the Department of Justice can reach.”
“If our government allowed someone to act recklessly around our country’s most important secret, what message would it send to those who risk their lives to gather classified information? ‘ he tweeted. “These indictments are an important step not only in safeguarding national security, but also in preserving the rule of law in America. It made it clear that the law cannot be blatantly ignored without bringing it about.”
“There is no question that today is a dark and tragic day for America.
With this news, the Biden administration’s Justice Department has completely and utterly destroyed any form of its impartiality. More than that, it has caused significant social damage and it will unfold over the years…
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) June 9, 2023
Gene Hamilton, Vice President and General Counsel for America First, said: statement Thursday night was “an undeniably dark and tragic day for America.” (Related article: President Trump says he was actually indicted on Social Post)
“With this news, the Biden administration’s Justice Department has completely and utterly destroyed any form of its impartiality,” Hamilton said. “More than that, it has caused significant societal harm, which will unfold for years to come in ways we cannot currently imagine.”
“Following the Durham report that revealed an unprecedented effort by the Justice Department to defeat political opponents, they once again pave the way for unprecedented actions that appear intended to defeat political opponents of the ruling regime. A step forward,” he continued.
Dershowitz said the Constitution “gives those under investigation for criminal conduct the power to refuse to cooperate with prosecutors,” but that Trump has “crossed the line and committed illegal acts.” It is possible that it was an act of sabotage.”
“[L]Don’t be prejudiced until we all know all the facts. But let us remain skeptical about the current administration prosecuting a leading candidate to overthrow it in the next election,” Dershowitz continued.
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