Trump Indictment Watch
- Thread starter cajunrevenge
- Start date
striker42
Well-known member
One thing for which I've advocated for years is an independent justice department. We need to do whatever we can to insulate the justice department from political pressure. Unfortunately, it's usually the tool of the sitting president.
The power for a President to smother investigations against them or their allies while using the department to target enemies is too tempting.
Disclaimer: this is not a comment on the validity of the indictment today. It's a comment on the reaction to the indictment.
The power for a President to smother investigations against them or their allies while using the department to target enemies is too tempting.
Disclaimer: this is not a comment on the validity of the indictment today. It's a comment on the reaction to the indictment.
sturg33
I
In your opinion how does this presidency stack up in leveraging the DOJ for political purposes
striker42
Well-known member
So many in the justice department serve at the leisure of the president that the president could leverage the justice department to a worrisome degree. Traditionally the idea has been that presidents won't do that as they'd get tossed out of office. That is proving less a deterrent.
But regardless of the actual power, there is perceived power. Perception doesn't have to follow fact.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
This is correct. But there is nothing that will ever not be viewed as a political hit job on Trump by his supporters. There is zero evidence any of this is politically motivated but they will claim it anyways. Bill Barr could be running the DoJ and they would claim he is out to get Trump. Meanwhile they ignore the 4 years of the Trump Presidency where he constantly called for his political enemies to be prosecuted. A serious person can not claim Trumpnis being politically persecuted and not condemn Trump for advocating for political persecution. Remember he ran on "lock her up" and Republicans cheered widely at "Because you would be in jail".
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57Brave
Well-known member
Retired Air Force officer gets 3 years for having classified documents
By The Associated Press
Friday, Jun 2
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Retired Lt. Col. Birchum served in various intelligence positions over his 29-year career, including with Special Operations Command. (Air Force)
TAMPA, Fla. — A former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer was sentenced Thursday to three years in federal prison for keeping classified documents at his home and other unauthorized locations.
Robert Birchum, 55, was sentenced in Tampa federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents relating to the national defense of the United States. Birchum was also fined $25,000.
According to the plea agreement, Birchum, who retired in 2018 as a lieutenant colonel, served in various positions in intelligence over his 29-year career and worked with classified intelligence information for the Joint Special Operations Command, the Special Operations Command and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
In 2017, law enforcement officers discovered that Birchum knowingly removed more than 300 classified files or documents, including more than 30 items marked top secret, from authorized locations, prosecutors said. Birchum kept these classified materials in his home, his overseas officer’s quarters and a storage pod in his driveway.
Prosecutors specifically noted that Birchum possessed two documents on a thumb drive found in his home that contained information relating to the National Security Agency’s capabilities and methods of collection and targets’ vulnerabilities. Their unauthorized release could have caused exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States, officials said.
There was no indication from investigators that Birchum ever distributed the classified material
By The Associated Press
Friday, Jun 2
Retired Lt. Col. Birchum served in various intelligence positions over his 29-year career, including with Special Operations Command. (Air Force)
TAMPA, Fla. — A former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer was sentenced Thursday to three years in federal prison for keeping classified documents at his home and other unauthorized locations.
Robert Birchum, 55, was sentenced in Tampa federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents relating to the national defense of the United States. Birchum was also fined $25,000.
According to the plea agreement, Birchum, who retired in 2018 as a lieutenant colonel, served in various positions in intelligence over his 29-year career and worked with classified intelligence information for the Joint Special Operations Command, the Special Operations Command and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
In 2017, law enforcement officers discovered that Birchum knowingly removed more than 300 classified files or documents, including more than 30 items marked top secret, from authorized locations, prosecutors said. Birchum kept these classified materials in his home, his overseas officer’s quarters and a storage pod in his driveway.
Prosecutors specifically noted that Birchum possessed two documents on a thumb drive found in his home that contained information relating to the National Security Agency’s capabilities and methods of collection and targets’ vulnerabilities. Their unauthorized release could have caused exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States, officials said.
There was no indication from investigators that Birchum ever distributed the classified material
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
I have serious doubts very poorly chosen one can get a fair trial in a state governed by his main political rival. Rigged!!
Runnin
Well-known member
De Santis is hard at work on how to best handle this situation.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
Eh. This is a democratic plot to hand the GOP nomination to very poorly chosen one.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
I actually dont think so. Unlike the Bragg indictments the indictments coiming up in this case and others will eventually sober up enough people in the GOP to allow someone else to win the nomination.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
I think you are applying old world politics to the new brand of GOP. Theres been 100 things that would have killed any candidates chance before Trump. Theres 10-15% on the far right extreme that drive the opinions of the GOP voters. Many conservatives are too worried about losing their conservative street cred by not being sufficiently "loyal" to Donald Trump. Just look at what they have tried to do to me for the crime of not agreeing with their distorted view of events. Logic and reality have no place in that party anymore.