The Charges against Donald Trump

Walter OlsonTheindictment itself is clear, well organized, and not too long. You should read the whole thing if you aim to be informed about this important moment in American history.A few observations:Trump didn ’t get charged with illegal possession over the 197 documents he gave back to the Archives voluntarily. That matches up with how Biden and Pencewere treated after retaining some documents. Give back when asked = no rap, at least for officials at this level. Trump is facing charges because he chose to lie to the feds and hide documents.A substantial portion of the indictment lays out the reasons to think that lying to federal law enforcers and hiding documents was Trump ’s purposeful course of action, not the result of some sort of carelessness or inattention.During his service as President, Trump wasshockingly careless and self ‐​centered in his handling of national security secrets. But his legal right to act that way ended when his term in office did.There are some pretty squirrely claims making the rounds about what the Presidential Records Act does and does not require.This explanation from the National Archives helps clarify matters. In brief: presidents are legally required to turn over all documents relating to their work in office, whether or not related to national security; the obligation attaches at the time their term ends; there isn ’t any sort of further negotiation period. More fromAndrew McCarthy andEd Whelan.Trump himself has not consisten...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs