President-Elect Donald Trump gave President Joe Biden and his critics a major boost this weekend by stating on NBC’s Meet The Press that he believes that the entire J6 Committee “should go to jail.” Despite weeks of saying that he did not plan any campaign of retribution and “success will be my revenge,” Trump undermined those statements with the statement, which the media is now playing up as proof that he is going to unleash a vengeance campaign. Many in the media are also omitting that Trump immediately said “no” to whether he would direct either the Attorney General or the FBI director to indict or investigate. The fact, however, is that there is no viable criminal case to be made against the J6 Committee members for their investigation or report. We need to move beyond the rage rhetoric if this country is going to come together to face the tough challenges ahead.
In the Sunday interview, Trump was referring to how Cheney and the “committee of political thugs” deleted all the evidence from their investigation: “Cheney did something that’s inexcusable, along with [Chair Bennie] Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps.”
He added, “Cheney was behind it. And so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee. For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail.”
I have been one of the most vocal critics of the J6 Committee, having written over a dozen columns on their misrepresentation of evidence, false claims, burying of evidence, and political bias. I consider the J6 Committee to be not just a colossal failure but a missed opportunity for a bipartisan look at that tragic day. I also fully support the effort of the House committees to finish its own investigation into the security failure at the Capitol and the record of the J6 Committee.
Having said that, these are ethical and political failings, not criminal violations. Politicians routinely distort facts on both sides of scandals, including Presidents Biden, Trump, and Obama. We have elections to allow the public to hold such politicians accountable. In the case of Liz Cheney, the people of Wyoming overwhelmingly removed her from office.
Cheney’s work on the committee was rife with false claims and the manipulation of evidence. What could have been her finest hour in forcing a balanced and honest approach to the investigation proved to be her undoing (at least with her prior political base).
Members, however, are protected from prosecution for expressing their opinions or advancing legislative measures. This includes Article I, Section 6, Clause 1, which states that members of Congress “shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony, and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their attendance at the Session of their Respective Houses, and in going to and from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.”
The Supreme Court has held that “to the extent that [congressional officers] serve legislative functions, the performance of which would be immune . . . if done by Congressmen, these officials enjoy the protection[s] of the Speech or Debate Clause.” Doe v. McMillan, 412 U.S. 306, 320 (1973).
More importantly, the omissions and unfairness of the process do not constitute crimes.
That brings us to the focus of Trump’s remarks: the alleged destruction of evidence by the Committee. Over a hundred files were allegedly destroyed, though Thompson insists that they were not required to be preserved.
It does appear that the Committee may have violated the House’s archiving rules. However, this is not ordinarily a case for criminal prosecution. These rules have sufficient room for interpretation to make any such claim difficult to prosecute. Moreover, the responsibility of any given member of the Committee for such violations is doubly difficult to establish.
Clearly, a false statement to federal investigators or an effort to obstruct an investigation can be separate criminal violations, but there is no indication of such allegations.
Most importantly, presidents do not send people to jail. Juries and judges do that. We have the oldest and most successful constitution in history. J6 Committee members, like all citizens, are fully protected under that system.
Trump’s statement, however, has given a boost to his critics who are trying to preserve the narrative that blanket preemptive pardons are needed to protect his political opponents. As I recently wrote, some are suggesting up to thousands of such pardons.
In a statement to The New York Times, Cheney immediately used Trump’s statement to keep the narrative alive:
“This was the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nation’s history. Donald Trump’s suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.”
The media is widely reporting Trump’s statement and omitting his prior insistence that he was not going to unleash a retributive campaign against political opponents.
Trump gave his critics a windfall benefit, which they can now cite as the basis for the blanket pardons. The press and pundits have been dreading the rather awkward prospect of democracy not ending as predicted or the chance that this is not (as figures like Cheney claimed) our last election. The “white knight pardons” are a way of arguing that Biden prevented the collapse.
In my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,” I discuss how “rage rhetoric” has long been a part of our political debates and elections. The danger is that “rage rhetoric” can become state rage, as shown repeatedly throughout history.
President Trump just won not just both houses of Congress with the White House, but also the popular vote. That victory was not the result of rage rhetoric, but the promise to move beyond these divisions to achieve progress on issues ranging from the border to the economy. Trump can now cement such a legacy or destroy it by fueling our divisions.
The J6 Committee is not going to jail. The question is where our country will be going and whether President Trump can use this election to help unify this country.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”
Its insane the amount of evidence they ignored with intel the capitol police was given on dec 19 and the insane fact that no one on those online boards were named nor prosecuted by the law for inciting violence. How do are you able to make a bunch of arrests for people who werent even participating in any destruction or violence and yet have the most advance intelligence tools that could easilly find out where those online post originated from and how did the j6 pannel miss all this evidence and conclude it was trumps fault while hidding transcripts of trump ordering for national gaurd and extra security that day which was ignored. Then to top it how in the world did you wait till 4 hours later to call in the national gaurd who was ready a few blocks away from the capitol ready to go and have them stand down. This is like all stuff that is easilly found in documents but yet reporters and professional journalists seem to just ignore and continue to gad light americans today about it. This was an orchestrated event at everysingle level as a conspiracy and it shows how media is tool to be used to lie to americans and is one in the same with with the deepstate governments agenda . This is a conspiracy on a grand level
It is more about making them (and their bank accounts) experience lawfare. We could even have a running total of money spent prosecuting vs defending – personal as well as government.
For current lawfare news, how much did Daniel Penny spend on his defense against the BLM warriors?
There is no justice. Just Democrats, Soros, and everyone else trying keep a low profile.
Jonathan Turley is usually right on, but I think he missed it a bit on this one. America has seen what a politicized two-tier justice system looks like for far too long. We cannot heal as a nation until we start seeing what true justice looks like once again. Just forgiving the corrupt J6 kangaroo kommittee may be mercy but it is NOT justice. I believe in the rule of law, and until we see that two-tier “justice” system destroyed and replaced with a justice system that actually punishes real criminality, regardless of political affiliation, America will remain broken.
I think you’re problem is you think the law is whatever you want it to be to fit a specific case. That’s how progressive’s look at the law! I thought conservatives believed in blind justice, i.e., the law is applied based on what Congress has passed as laws — not some law you imagine exists.
Tell us, what law(s) did the J6th Committee violate?
However distasteful you found it for J6th committee to expose Trump-Bannon-Guiliani’s sleazy attempts to mickey the EC Count (taking testimony from Republicans and WH / Admin figures), there’s nothing unlawful in investigating that self-serving corruption. It’s Congress’ role to oversee the Exec. Branch.
This is one of the main reasons I follow Professor Turley. He calls them like he sees them and he looks thru a nonpartisan lens.
JT, your sick
https://adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/bring-it-on-donald-the-january-6
“Congressman Thompson Statement on Donald Trump’s Continued Threats Against January 6 Committee Members”
Benny Thompson is a crooked politician and a liar. You can shut it, bucko.
“When, @BennieGThompson, will the 1,000 or so depositions for which we have no video tape (you destroyed them) AND no printed deposition transcripts be released?
Or please admit you destroyed the transcripts of those conducted depositions.
Trying to pretend the public has the full record of the J6 Committee’s work is laughable when we only have circa 150 depositions in transcript form alone. That’s a fraction of those you hauled in for aggressive “interviews.” @JeffClarkUS
“for a bipartisan look at that tragic day”
We agree on this tiny pice.
It was an insurrection. They wanted to keep in power the guy that lost the election. Doesn’t matter how stupid trump and his acolytes are, that is the effect they hoped to have happen. Keep DJT in power after loosing the election. That is the very definition of INSURRECTION. Calling it anything else is BS and you are only doing it because you cannot bring your self to admit you were rooting for an insurrection.
It was a FEDSURRECTION.
Just wait. The evidence WILL come out. The world will see who the *actual* criminals are.
“The evidence WILL come out.”
Jeeeez, give it a break, how about all that voter fraud in 202? Never happened.
trump is a consumate lier. Why is that so hard to see?
“Democrats released a virus & used it to rig an election. Then had the FBI dress as Patriots to stage an “insurrection”.
AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT.”
If I was that delusional I’d keep my name anonymous too.
“At minimum every member of the Patriot Day (J6) committee should be, as in “Game of Thrones,” shorn of their hair, stripped naked, and be forced to walk from Congress to the WH while MAGA millions shout “SHAME! SHAME!” and throw rancid fruit at them.” @LarrySchwe94560
Sounds about right to me.
Trump speaks in vague terms ( which means he thinks in vague thoughts ). This is how I’d unpack his statement.
He thinks that the Select J6th Committee “buried” information that would have cast a bad light on Pelosi and her judgment regarding the Capitol Police’s need for tough tactics and backup. Trump thinks there are “laws” that benefit his version of events gaining publicity in preference over the versions of other his detractors (both are practicing tribalistic infowarfare with sympathetic media allies). He thinks that it’s against the law to cover-up information that reflects badly on his opponents, while no such law applies to himself.
Trump’s notion of rule-of-law is solipsistic, not objective. To me that makes him dangerous to put in charge of anything having to do with law enforcement. Just like his detractors on the left, he thinks the law is whatever he “feels” it should be in any situation.
I’m not wasting my time debating Pbinc’s latest drivel. Arguing with someone gripped by TDS and packing the wisdom of a goldfish is like playing chess with a pigeon — they’ll knock over the pieces, squawk like they’ve won, and leave you with a mess to clean up. No thanks.
I credit things that Trump has done right. I ding him on stuff he screws up. That’s not TDS, it’s being an independent with critical thinking skills.
This is hysterical. Because clearly Trump’s one statement got under everybody’s skin, including even that of mild-tempered Turley.
Listen, no one else is getting a pardon. Because very clearly Biden does not give a crap about anybody himself. He never did and that, in my opinion, is a fact. If these Democrats and RINOs deserve jail time surely they WILL get it.
“[T]here is no viable criminal case to be made against the J6 Committee members for their investigation or report.” (JT)
If I fabricate evidence used by a prosecutor to arrest and try someone, I am guilty of a crime and deserve to be jailed.
The J6 fabricated report was used in both criminal cases against Trump (Smith and Willis) and both carried the potential for serious jail time. The CO civil case also used that fabricated “evidence.”
I do not see any meaningful distinction between those two situations. (Though, granted, I am not an attorney.)
Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 (aka the Speech or Debate Clause) allegedly gives J6 members immunity from prosecution.
However, there is a very clear felony exception in that Clause. And fabricating or tampering with evidence is a federal felony.
Jonathan Turley is correct that the January 6th Committee should not “go to jail.” However, they SHOULD go to PRISON. Jail is for short-term incarceration, whereas prisons are applicable for long-term sentences. And the prison sentences for the criminal and corrupt January 6th Committee could NOT be of too long a duration. In fact, long-term prison sentences coupled with work on a chain gang would be the most appropriate remedy for the criminal and corrupt January 6th leaders.
The congressmen who are on the J6 committee are protected by the speach and debate clause of the constitution.
Their staff is not.
Those who participated in the attempted destruction of evidence should “go to jail”
That is incorrect. As Prof T pointed out, ‘The Supreme Court has held that “to the extent that [congressional officers] serve legislative functions, the performance of which would be immune . . . if done by Congressmen, these officials enjoy the protection[s] of the Speech or Debate Clause.” Doe v. McMillan, 412 U.S. 306, 320 (1973).’
So the staff are immune too.
John, you say “Those who participated in the attempted destruction of evidence should “go to jail”” I already explained that they should go to prison, not jail, and why. Did you not grasp the distinction?
And who do you think ordered the actual–not attempted–destruction of evidence? The parents of the January 6 Committee members? Well, maybe in Liz Cheney’s case. But Liz cannot defend her criminal acts with ther old line, “We were only following orders.”
I don’t want the new administration to become what they ran against. I don’t think they will.
They have to investigate. There is plenty of smoke to justify an investigation. If clear crimes are found, prosecute before a fair court. The only way to stop this for the future is for guilty people to be publicly acknowledged for their crimes and suitably punished.
Disgraceful article.
More of Turley’s paid MAGA propaganda. Trump said, over and over again, in rally after rally, that he was going to see to it that the J6 Committee, along with witnesses, will be going to jail. Turley cites the ONE time–in the Kristin Welker interview–that Trump said he would leave it up to his toadie AG whether to go after them, but conveniently omits the fact that Kash Patel has a hit list of specific people he’s going after. No one in their right mind believes Trump won’t push for retribution–remember the oft-repeated statement–“I am your retribution”, as if investigating him and his role in the insurrection is somehow wrong, and, as if, it’s OK to going on a “Stop the Steal” tour, lying to fans about winning in a landslide when he really lost. And, Republicans WERE invited to particitipate–Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger did–but Republicans chose losers like Jim Jordan, who is massively conflicted–which the Committee rejected.
Turley spoons out the fodder for the disiples: “President Trump just won not just both houses of Congress with the White House, but also the popular vote. That victory was not the result of rage rhetoric, but the promise to move beyond these divisions to achieve progress on issues ranging from the border to the economy. Trump can now cement such a legacy or destroy it by fueling our divisions.” Trump pulled off a squeaker–aided and abetted by Republican gerrymandering, his “victory” ranks 44th out of 51 elections, and in 4 swing states he won, the Republican Senate candidate lost. The margins in both houses are razor–thin. It is a MAGA talking point that Trump has a “mandate”, but the facts don’t bear that out. Trump also killed the border security bill to create an issue he could lie about to the faithful. Republicans and MAGA media also lied about the economy being a “disaster”–and people believed it because they don’t understand that the economy is more than just the cost of food and housing.
Turley, your pie in the sky spin on Trump’s “victory” won’t fly–it was the product of lies, misogyny, racism, xenophobia and empty promises that the cost of groceries and housing would drop precipitiously and that personal wealth would soar, denying that Project 2025 would be the playbook, and other BS to entertain the faithful, like stories about Arnold Palmer’s genitals and fellating a microphone. Just play the tapes from the rallies—lie after lie, attacks against migrants–accusing them of stealing and eating pets, overruning towns, raping women, murdering people, and all of the insults against Kamala Harris–calling her “stupid”, a “DEI” hire, plus all of the insults because she is a step mother. Then, there’s the fantasy that the wars in Israel and in Ukraine wouldn’t have happened–based on nothing but Trump braggadocio. Republicans know that other than cynical wealthy people who don’t want to pay their fair share of taxes, most voters don’t know much about how the economy works–so they shovel the BS, playing up the inflation that Trump’s stupidity helped cause, which is consistently coming down. The worst of all is the lie about the economy being on the brink of a depression, even though it is the strongest in the world, proven by every economic indicator. Studies show that most Americans vote based on what’s in their best economic interests. Republicans know that things like inflation are complex, so they harped on the cost of groceries as somehow proof that Biden did a poor job, forgetting the state of the country he inherited from Trump, with schools, businesses, restaurants closed down, new daily records for COVID deaths and infections, no leisure travel and high unemployment. Biden put America back to work, got an infrastracture bill passed, got the cost of insulin under control, negotiated for prescription drug prices for Medicare and Medicaid, and put us on the path to economic success–all of which Trump, Republicans and MAGA media lied about each and every day during the campaign. So, no, Turley, people who voted for Trump believed the lies he told that were reinforced by MAGA media, of which you choose to play a role.–not the rosy BS about “achieveing progress” you are trying to sell.
^^More of Gigi’s paid DEM propaganda.
Isn’t it wild how Russia suddenly gets brave whenever Biden’s in office — first as VP, now as president? Meanwhile, under Trump, we had Middle East peace deals popping up like surprise party favors. But sure, let’s pretend ‘braggadocio’ is the problem.
As for Gigi, bless her heart — she’s bringing a plastic spork to a five-course debate. This is clearly a few floors above her pay grade.
Gigi,
You don’t matter any more.
No one cares about your Made up or out of context claims regarding Trump.
Even Turley admitted that to get a call to vengance – you had to ignore everything else Trump said.
All that said – while I think Trump speaks the truth when he says that success will be his vengeance – that is the best vengeance of all.
4 years of peace prosperity and secure borders, should be Democrats greatest fear
Not Trump apparatchik coming after them.
Voters voted for cleaning house, exposing and punishing lawfare.
But that was NOT their priority or Trump’s
Trump said LOTS of things during the campaign – he spoke for HOURS every day. He was interviewed by pretty much everyone – he appeared before hostile audiences.
But the THEME – as in 2016 and 2020 was Make America Great Again.
the Message – was peace and prosperity.
THAT is what he MUST deliver.
Justice is desert – it is not the main course.
With respect to the J6 committee – the representatives on that committee are protected by the speach and debate clause for most of their actions – no matter how lawless.
Their staff are not.
We KNOW the committee lied about the evidence, then tried to destroy it.
That is criminal. Those involved should be prosecuted.
“Kash Patel has a hit list of specific people he’s going after.”
Correct – the people who committed crimes.
There is a long list of people who have been lying to congress for the past 4+ years.
It is pretty easy to identify many of these people – the ones who are lined up for Blanket Biden Pardon’s
I say “Go for it” – The more the merrier.
People are not stupid. They KNOW that those pleading for Protection from prosecution are the crooks.
It is more important to identify them – better still for them to identify themselves. Than to have a long drawn out investigation and trial in DC where they will wear their blue tie to ourt and get off.
“I am your retribution”,
Correct – the retribution is Democrats are out of power, and must sit on their hands and watch as Trump delivers the punishement – 4 years of peace and prosperity that Democrats had no part in.
In 2020 I warned Republicans that Biden could do NOTHING and coast to a second term. Contra your idiotic claims – Trump left him a country that on autopilot would thrive.
And Still he blew it.
Trump inherits a REAL MESS – worse than he inherited in 2016.
A weak economy, declining standard of living and chaos and conflict throughout the world and on our streets.
Some of these are relatively easy to fix, others are harder.
But all are fixable.
And Republicans KNOW – they are expected to deliver.
Agenda 47 – not Project 2025 is out there for all to see.
That is what Trump promised.
That is what voters expect.
And when Trump delivers – Democrats will have alot of time wondering in the desert.
“if investigating him and his role in the insurrection is somehow wrong”
When you start by investigating something that never happened – then YES that is somehow wrong.
“as if, it’s OK to going on a “Stop the Steal” tour, lying to fans about winning in a landslide when he really lost.”
Ignoring your “opinon” regarding the election even if you were correct and ther was no steal
YES, it is perfectly legal for a political candidate to question an election – even lie about them.
“Republicans WERE invited to particitipate”
Only select Republicans. House rules allow each party to choose the members it puts on a committee.
“Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger did”
Correct – in violation of house rules.
The majority party has control of the congress – even control of the rules. It can change the rules as it pleases – though in 2021 Pelosi left the rules of the house much as they have been for 2 centuries and then ignored them.
“Republicans chose losers like Jim Jordan, who is massively conflicted–which the Committee rejected”
Prior to Pelosi and the J6 committee the house has NEVER rejected the minority parites choices for comitttees.
Post the J6 committee – in 2023 Republicans did REMOVE 2 democrats from comittees – for Ethics and legal violations after censuring them.
“Trump pulled off a squeaker–aided and abetted by Republican gerrymandering”
You do realize that Trump won the Squeeker by Millions of votes. That Trump wone each Swing state by SEVERAL TIMES what Biden did in 2020.
And that you can not “gerry mander” a presidential election.
“in 4 swing states he won”
NZ, AZ GA, NC, PA, MI, WI – that is 7 Swing states.
“The Republican Senate candidate lost.”
Against incumbents or Seats Democrats were defending.
Conversely Trump picked up 4 seats – All defeats of Democrat incumbents.
Not a single incumbent Republican Senator lost.
Democrats lost 4 seats they held.
“The margins in both houses are razor–thin.”
Democrats picked up one seat in the house overall – mostly by rigging close elections in California.
The GOP still has a 5 seat margin in the house.
Johnson will have an EASIER time in 2025 than in 2024 – because he is NOT the oposition leader with a party divided over how to best change that.
He is a leader of the party in power, with a clear agenda from the campaign platform.
The same will be true in the Senate.
BTW a 4 seat margin in the Senate is pretty big. Democrats repeatedly in the past 4 years had to get Harris to cast deciding votes.
“Trump has a “mandate”,
Because he does.
“Trump also killed the border security bill to create an issue he could lie about to the faithful.”
False but so what ?
“Republicans and MAGA media also lied about the economy being a “disaster””
The economy is a disaster. Not the worst ever, but similar to the mess we had in the 70’s.
“people believed it because they don’t understand that the economy is more than just the cost of food and housing.”
People beleive it because it is true. I would note – it does not matter whether food and/or housing is the reason you are poorer.
The economy is bad if you are poorer, and the average family LOST 3500/yr under Biden.
“Trump’s “victory” won’t fly–it was the product of lies, misogyny, racism, xenophobia and empty promises that the cost of groceries and housing would drop precipitiously and that personal wealth would soar”
False – but again SO WHAT ?
Democrats lie like a rug to win elections.
“denying that Project 2025 would be the playbook”
Because it is not. Agenda 47 is the Playbook – absolutely unequiviocally.
I would note that the Project 2025 lies of democrats did not work.
Not because voters knew you were lying.
But because TRUMP stated his agenda OVER AND OVER.
That is his mandate – not project 20205.
And because Project 2025 is a 900+ page blueprint – often self contradictory by a bunch of heritage scholars.
Parts of it mirror Agenda 57. Parts of it are very good ideas not in Agenda 47 that may happen.
Parts are good ideas not in Agenda 47 that will not happen. And some of it is bad ideas.
I would note that Agenda 47 is not perfect. It has bad ideas. But mostly it is good, and even the bad ideas are better than 4 years of any democrat.
Trump recently talked about ending Birth Right citizenship. That is a huge mistake – it is NOT a serious problem.
Regardless, ending Birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment – and that is just not happening – and Trump knows it.
The Birth right citizenship remarks are Fodder for the base and efforts to Troll the left – You.
“other BS to entertain the faithful, like stories about Arnold Palmer’s genitals and fellating a microphone.”
Whatever he said in the campaign – it WORKED.
“Just play the tapes from the rallies”
I have, most of what you rant about is false, inconsequential or out of context.
“attacks against migrants”
If they came here to stay – they are IMMIGRANTS.
If they came without a Visa – they are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.,
“accusing them of stealing and eating pets, overruning towns, raping women, murdering people,”
They do those things with higher frequency than citizens.
“all of the insults against Kamala Harris–calling her “stupid”, a “DEI” hire”
She is not very bright.
She is a DEI hire.
If the truth is an insult – that is HER problems.
“all of the insults because she is a step mother.”
Again your off in a fantasy world.
Harris has NOT been a stellar mother,
and her choice of spouse as well as her choice of running mate were POOR,
Regardless no one cares that Harris is a “Step Mother”.
They do care that she is not a particularly good mother.
Especially when she makes Momala a major campaign theme.
While Trump tried to appeal to evangelicals in 2016 – he did NOT pretend to be something he was not.
He did not start pretending to love dogs,
He did not start to pretend to be religiously devout.
He did not pretend to be a puritan.
Trump has been a playboy his entire life. He has not hidden that.
While the left has LIED and tried to go the next level – to make him a sexual predator like Clinton.
But people did NOT buy your lies.
“Then, there’s the fantasy that the wars in Israel and in Ukraine wouldn’t have happened
They would not have – even Biden could have avoided them.
First – actual good energy policy – that alone makes BOTH wars far less likely.
The only reason that Europe did not give Ukraine to Russia is because Trump had built the energy infrastructure in the US – Primarily LNG resources, to replace all the energy that Russia blackmailed europe with.
In the mideast the lower energy prices are the less Iran has to fund terrorism and chaos.
Next – do not say stupid things like – “Ukraine is moving toward joining NATO”
Putin has attacked one of his immediate neighbors EVERY time talk of their joining NATO has occurred.
The US prommised Russia with the collapse of the USSR that NATO would not get within 1000miles of Russia.
We LIED.
Next is economically containing Iran.
Do those three things and none of this mess would have happened.
Further – Biden could have ended this all anytime he wanted – even now.
He wants to be remembered for defeating Putin – which is noting to happen.
He has never been looking for peace.
There will be a Ukraine peace deal – before the inauguration ? Shortly after ? Within 90 days ?
One of those. Ending the ukraine war is not hard.
Peace in the mideast is harder.
Syria is a mess – partly that is good, Partly that is bad.
Right now Hamas (Suni) and Hezbolla – Shite and shia forces throughout the mideast are on their back foot.
Iran is facing a really bad outcome.
That is the good news. the bad news is that the winning groups in Syria are little different from the Taliban and that ISIS – a suni terrorist organization may be on the rise.
Regardless, it is likey that Israel ends the mess in Gaza and the Mess in Lebanon soon. But what happens in Syria is unpredictable.
Regardless the Biden administration did not bring this about.
Israel did – mostly on her own.
John, I agree with everything you wrote, except for two things:
1. Congressional staff do have the same immunity as their congressmen do, when they are acting in the course of their duties and do something for which their congressman would have immunity. But I’m not convinced that deleting evidence is covered by the speech or debates clause, which means the congressmen themselves may be prosecuted.
2. While illegal immigrants are certainly more likely than other people to commit violent crimes, they are not known to steal or eat people’s pets. There is not one instance of that happening, and certainly not by Haitians in Springfield OH.
Other than those two points, bravo.
“There is not one instance of that happening, and certainly not by Haitians in Springfield OH.”
Actually, there is. They do steal the geese from parks. They do eat the cats. Dogs, not so much.
Jonathan: Finally, you got something right. Under the Constitution and laws there is no basis for criminal prosecution of Liz Cheney or any other member of the J. 6 Select Committee. But you misrepresented what DJT said in his NBC “Meet the Press” interview with Kristen Welker yesterday. Welker asked DJT whether Liz Cheney should go to jail. This was DJT’s response”
Trump: “For what they did–anybody that voted in favor…”
Welker: “Are you going to direct your FBI director, attorney general to send them to jail?”
Trump: Not at all. I think they’ll have to look at that”
So DJT’s answer was NOT an unqualified “No”. It appears DJT does want to carry out a vendetta against Liz Cheney and the rest of the J. 6 Committee. He will use the DOJ/ FBI to carry out an investigation of his political enemies on the Committee–even though that investigation cannot result in any criminal prosecutions.
And your column and the dozens before will provide fodder for that vendetta by falsely claiming “Cheney’s work on the Committee was rife with false claims and manipulation of evidence”. You also falsely state the J.6 Committee is guilty of “misrepresentation of evidence, false claims, burying of evidence, and political bias” No doubt the MAGA Republicans in the House will use your spurious claims to justify their witch hunt against Cheney and the others on her Committee.
If the Jim Comer investigation of the Biden family is any guide the MAGA House investigation of Liz Cheney, et. al, will last for years without coming up with any malfeasance by the J. 6 Committee. It will be all about political retribution. So if you think DJT’s job number one is to “help unify this country” how do you expect that to happen he spends most of his time going after his political enemies?
If there was no crime, why worry? If there was…worry. See how easy life under a non-corrupt administration is becoming?
Tom: why worry? Because of the high cost to defend against a spurious investigation and criminal charges and the emotional toll of the subject and their family just from being under criminal investigation and criminal charges brought by a syncophantic puppet of a vindictive wannabe dictator who has promised “retribution”. Kash Patel has a “hit list”–do you think he won’t try to get into these people’s tax and banking records, anything to dig up dirt? We can HOPE that judges would see through such spurious investigations and charges, but that takes time. In the meantime, attorney billable hours keep accruing.
The bigger story is why is it even necessary to go down this road? Never before in American history has there been an attempted insurrection brought about by a losing presidential candidate who lied to his supporters about being cheated out of a victory, who got them to attack the Capitol to stop the election winner from taking office, who has promised “retribution”, and promises to pardon those followers of his stupid enough to commit crimes at his behest. THAT should be what Turley writes about–the sad chapter in American history brought about by the ego of Donald J. Trump.
Yo, Democrat Party and RINO crooks:
You reap what you sow.
What goes around comes around.
Crime doesn’t pay.
The process is the punishment.
Putting *actual* criminals like Cheney, Pelosi, Schiff, Benny Thompson, et al, thru the pain of the process IS the point.
Make them squirm. Bankrupt them. Investigate them. Prosecute them. Give them actual prison time.
THAT would be “justice” served.
Nothing less will be tolerated.
What is the Democrats’ favorite mantra?
NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!
That includes crooked Democrats like Pelosi, Schiff, et al, who know what they did.
They are liars and lawbreaking scum.
That includes lying scumbag Feds like Comey, McCabe, et al.
That includes treasonous lying scum like Milley.
That includes lying, cheating Soros prosecutor scumbags like Bragg, Willis, James, etc.
They WILL pay for their crimes. One way or another, they all WILL pay.
It appears to me that Cheney is finished. No party wants her. She did this all on her own and she isn’t worth “going after” because she’s useless to everyone now. The J6 Committee was a fiasco, hid evidence, and behaved like partisan thugs. What they did would not have held up in any court of law (except in Manhattan and possibly DC). The Committee had only one outcome they planned from the beginning including not allowing the Rs to choose their own representatives. Cheney will enjoy her self-imposed life in political Siberia. Let’s just ignore or laugh at her.
Go to Hell You Disgusting Corrupt Swamp Rat!
Okay.
The J6 committee withheld exculpatory evidence, communicated with a legally represented witness, and hundreds of innocent people have gone to jail based on the lies of this committee and you feel they have done nothing legally actionable?
Sadly, the only recourse we have against crooked politicians is the ballot box, which is why it is so critical to have a transparent voting system.
None of those things are actionable because they’re all covered by the speech or debate clause. The only thing I wonder about is deleting evidence. I’m not convinced that’s covered. But they didn’t all do that. The chairman Thompson may be vulnerable on that charge, but not the other members.
“None of those things are actionable because they’re all covered by the speech or debate clause.”
You and others are missing the “felony” exception cited in that Clause.
* charge J6— 18 U.S.C 1518
destruction of federal documents,, obstruction of justice.justice…
Hillary Clinton, too….and every other crime these woeful people committed. Not lawfare, justice
Speaking of insurrections – Daniel Penny has just been found innocent. Unfortunately, the thug’s dad and BLM are calling for blood!
Update (3340ET): Daniel Penny has been cleared of wrongdoing in the chokehold death of a mentally unstable man, Jordan Neely, after jurors sided with Penny’s defense attorneys who had argued that the Marine veteran was justified in rushing to protect fellow subway riders in May of 2023.
And of course, he received an immediate death threat from BLM founder ‘Hawk’ Newsome (not Tuah)…
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/after-manslaughter-dismissal-jury-daniel-penny-trial-returns-consider-lesser-count
Let them.
Collect evidence.
Then try them.
And convict them using their own words.
Just because they think they are protected, their thinking will not protect them.