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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020.Trump defends right to interfere in criminal cases
By Susan Heavey and Steve Holland WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
69 Comments
Chip Star
There is zero doubt in the minds of rational adults that Donny is and has been degrading the institutions that underpin our democratic republic. No amount of but liberals or but Hillary will change this.
Soon, we’ll have a Trumpophiles here telling us that anything inappropriate Donny does is acceptable because liberals. Repugnant, and a fine demonstration of utter ignorance.
Yubaru
So now the US and the world will have to depend upon the electorate! There is pretty much nothing the government itself can do to reign him in!
SimondB
America is becoming a banana republic headed by a mentally unstable would-be dictator. Not only will he refuse to go if he loses the election in November, but should he win he will want to abolish the two-term rule.
GW
WOW, simply UNFIT for the office, an admitted DICTATOR!! PERIOD!
PTownsend
Another attack on the judicial branch of government.
Expect soon another attack on the legislative branch.
Expect him once again to claim the executive branch rules all.
Expect him to once again attack the free, for-profit press that question him.
Expect his attacks on the US Constitution and its provisions pertaining to the separation and balance of power to continue as he and his ilk attempt to further undermine the remaining bits of the republic.
How's that one party led by an authoritarian for life working out in China where info on the coronavirus was hidden. How have cults of personality worked out anywhere ever.
Chip Star
Inaccurate, but your favorite retort of “I know you are, but what am I?” Very sophisticated.
But, he’s not meant to interfere in judicial preceding.
Damn the press for reporting on Donny’s words and actions! Damn them all to hell!
Nice playing the victim card, Bass.
More “I know you are, but what am I?”
Dr Maybe
Trumps policies and vision is aligned with most US citizens, thats why he has the support he does. Obamas objectives were aligned only with the elite, thus the disconnect.
This is exactly what I was talking about. Night is day, up is down. Garbage. Trump introduced big tax breaks for the highest income bracket. Are you aware of that?? It's HIM who is helping the elite. Assuming you've even heard of the term "trickle-down" economics, it is now widely discredited.
On the other hand, as one example, Obama bailed out the car companies when they were in danger of going under because of the financial crash in 2008. Thousands of jobs saved. You don't see members of the elite on production lines, last time I checked.
u_s__reamer
The trouble with Trump is that he has never held down a real job. He became Potus without any prior experience in politics and has not been able to learn on the job, either. After 3 interminably long years it is now abundantly clear to everyone save those who can only see "the Emperor's New Clothes" that he has absolutely no concept of what the position of a Potus entails and given his meagre intellect and visibly deteriorating mental functions, he will never be able to learn how to act as one. If Trump worked in the private sector he would have been fired long ago for gross incompetence. America deserves better than this phony president which is why for millions of "Never-Trumpers" November can't come soon enough to remove this repugnant charlatan from their sight.
Yrral
Trump has no power to have no one investigated,only the power of pardon
Dr Maybe
American democracy is on the operating table with gunshot wounds to the chest. I don't think it's going to make it. The November election is the last chance.
Most likely scenario? Democrats win by a small margin. Trumps cries "Fake election!" and refuses to leave office. Gutless, self-serving Republican senators block efforts to remove him. Ignorance and greed win.
After that, who knows? The country is awash with assault rifles, machine guns, and God knows what else. I wouldn't like to be living there, that's for sure.
Let's face it, Cold War 2 is nearly done. Darn! Them Ruskies kicked them some Yankee butt!! Yes sir, an' kicked it reeeaaal goooood!
Toasted Heretic
Slightly chilling to read the applause as democracy fades away.
If I was a cynic, I'd question whether or not some of the supporters are genuine.
Surely nobody with an ounce of patriotism would be in favour of such meddling and interference by the potus?
Dr Maybe
@Toasted Heretic
I'm not American, and not applauding. I'm sickened beyond words, disgusted, appalled... you name it...to see a once great country succumbing to a cancer of stupidity and treachery. If it were just a matter of leaving you guys to get on with it, I wouldn't be so outraged. Unfortunately the whole world has to suffer the consequences (for example, the climate crisis being ignored) of having a cretin in control.
@Blacklabel
Thanks for the clarification. I guess everything's okay then.
Dr Maybe
@Serrano
You made my point.
stormcrow
Hola! The U.S. is changing into a banana republic!
gokai_wo_maneku
Was "interfere" the word Trump used? I'm sure he does not see it as interference. He is improving everything. In his mind.
wtfjapan
No, it’s accurate, Democrats have started threatening to impeach this President since he was inaugurated.
lets just cut the BS and ask the Trumpophiles the question,
Do any of you think a POTUS has the power to dictate to US courts and overrule them if he sees fit!
that is reduce sentences or pardon his allies , and do the opposite for his rivals.
Peter14
Trump is just the imbecile who is currently destroying America. Infighting and having people so diametrically opposed works in his favor for now. He believes he can do anything he wants and will continue to believe so until investigations into his time as President begin when he is no longer in office. All the Republicans dismissed his attempt at office and now they all cower in fear it seems. The only Republican with the balls to take Trump on, (McCain) has gone. Trump thinks his time has come but it will truly come for him when he is out of office. The cleanup after his mess will take a term or two, but regaining American credibility will take decades. Until then, many will see America as a basket case. A child you pretend to listen to then completely dismiss and continue on doing adult things. For America to regain the worlds trust it is going to have to perform a miracle or two.
Good luck with that.
Trump alone is not to blame. GOP and all the fools who support Trump are as much to blame as he is. So plenty to share around.
PTownsend
Honest response. Hard core Trump supporters have long advocated for US systems to be undermined and replaced by an authoritarian-led, one party system. Akin to those in history that ensured the public they'd make the trains run on time.
SuperLib
He either cares or just doesn't get it. Either way, he's a loser.
lincolnman
Admits to "grabbing" women, i.e., sexually assaulting them...
Admits to inviting Russia and China to interfere in our election...
Admits to being a white supremacist, i.e., "very fine people"...
Admits in the call summary to a QPQ with Ukraine...
Now admits to having authority to overrule the judiciary...
The secret phone calls and Summit meetings with Putin were obviously just "classroom time" for Donnie to learn how to be a despot...
PTownsend
Pro-authoritarian and other anti-democracy groups in the alt right (i.e. Trump's 'side') have learnt to parrot that while ignoring the democratic principles cornerstone to the republic.
Trump's 'side' (with 'meddling' assistance from authoritarian, far right wing nations) is waging a revolution to undermine those democratic principles so he and his fellow 'elite' can have even greater over the nation.
Simon Foston
BlacklabelToday 10:52 am JST
Ah, the standard response for whenever it's pointed out what a broken, unrepresentative system the US has.
rainyday
This is a precedent that will be available to future presidents, including Democrats, you know? There are pretty good reasons to not allow the President to personally interfere with how the DOJ handles individual criminal cases.
PTownsend
Japan was an axis power pushing fascism too, partnering with Germany. And to think there are 'westerners' once again pushing for one party, authoritarian led systems like those rejected by the world in the 1930s. SMH
wtfjapan
Good thing we are a constitutional republic not a “democracy”
and yet politicians are democratically elected by the people,
so basically America is a democracy when it suits them and a dictatorship when it doesn't!
Numan
What a criminal!
In November, Trump denied that he sent Giuliani to Ukraine, despite congressional testimony from multiple witnesses, including career diplomats and government officials, who said Giuliani met with and pressured Ukrainian officials as part of Trump’s plot to coerce a foreign government into aiding his reelection.
President Donald Trump now admits he sent his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to dig up dirt on 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, a central part of Trump’s impeachment.
Notice Trump confesses to the media but doesn't want to get up in front of Congress or under oath? Then he can always say "I never said that" and Trumptards believe him.
PTownsend
Wasn't proven? You have said you believe the Kremlin's account. Which I know the global alt right trust more than US and other 'western' intelligence agencies.
For the global alt right, maybe, but not for those who value the republic and its Constitution, those who believe the US is a sovereign nation which should not be 'meddled' in by foreign powers. Yes, comrades, I'm aware the US has done worse.
Jimizo
True, but I think he should be judged for retweeting material from racist organizations and idiotic conspiracy trash from the likes of the National Enquirer.
Numan
Tsk, Tsk...This is how Rome fell!
PTownsend
Alt right posters won't deny they're applauding democracy's fading away. Cheering on the end of democracy is one thing they've been consistent about since Trump was first nominated, one of the main things they wanted and are getting from Trump. Their refusal to admit Trump's being helped by foreign nations 'meddling' in 'western' democracies shows which nations they support first. And none are 'western' democracies.
lincolnman
Thanks for agreeing with me that his "grabbing" should have been prosecuted as a sexual assault...
At least Nixon had enough sense (criminal sense) to try to hide his efforts to use government agencies to persecute his political opponents.
Trump is too stupid to figure that out...he just does it in the open and admits to it...
I guess he's following the advice of his "brilliant" lawyer, Crazy Rudy - the one Barr has under investigation...
Anyone want to bet Rudy's criminal investigation gets white-washed after Flynn?
The Trumpers GOD - Great Orange Despot...
Dr Maybe
@Blacklabel
Why has no one started legislation to fix this broken system by eliminating the electoral college?
Hey! I've found something I totally agree with you on. That is a really unfair, unrepresentative system, and it favors the Republicans (I guess that answers your question).
Why? It's well-known that typically "safe", "red" states get a heavier weighting of electoral votes, in relation to their population, compared to typically "safe", "blue" states.
One example: California (usually blue)- population 40 million- electoral votes- 55
Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma (red)- combined population 16 million- combined electoral votes- 28
Do the math, as you guys say. Give me one vote, one value any day.
lincolnman
So, is Bannon scum? How about Assange? Barr said Trump makes it impossible to do his job - is he scum?
Nixon's crime cabal looks like John Gotti's - Trump's looks like The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight...
Your words - "not bad for a dumb guy" - you nailed it - thanks for agreeing with me that Donne's an imbecile...
PTownsend
Aren't you glad here in Japan you can use the Internet to access any number of media outlets reporting events from a full range of perspectives, including one that supports your individual perspective, unlike in states like China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea and others where the state controls and limits news and how it's reported. And aren't you glad that you're even allowed to criticize a media outlet you disagree with.
PTownsend
What?
sunfunbun
Trump the dictator wannabe spews again!!
wtfjapan
Who thinks Hillary and the DNC's efforts to pay for the Steele dossier was organized by Barack Obama?
and when did any POTUS prior to Trump, excluding Nixon, dictate to the judicial system how they should rule in cases involving their allies!
Blacklabel
Yep the last guy meddled in this case too. It wasnt uncommon, liberals just choose to forget cause orangemanbad or something.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Louis_Gates_arrest_controversy
bass4funk
But it is almost at 50% or upper 40’s bad for Democrats, very bad.
What are you talking about?
https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/475773-poll-trump-approval-rating-nears-50-percent-heading-into-2020
Democrats are in serious trouble.
https://www.npr.org/2019/10/01/766256066/bolstered-by-impeachment-inquiry-trump-campaign-and-rnc-raise-125-million
Sorry, no economist believes that, none. Maybe the liberal moon bats on CNN.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/record-economic-optimism-under-trump-better-than-reagan-clinton-obama
Then Trump wouldn’t be as high as he is now, over 50% approve of Trump, his poll numbers with the Republican Party is over 80% this is all doom and gloom for the Dems and they still don’t get it.
Blacklabel
agreed. Obama had a pen and a phone. Trump has those 2, plus Twitter and a magic wand.
There has been plenty of precedent for what is going on, none of what Trump is doing is new or shocking. We have seen it before with every other President, as these things are within the power of the office to do.
bass4funk
Trump can comment all he wants, he should tweet less about judicial procedures, but other than that, the man can say what he wants. But scum, Naw.
Yes, so we can have 4 more years of the dumb guy, enjoy! I know I will. ROFL!
TheLongTermer
Clinton Bush and Obama pardoned many criminals, which is basically the same as a sentence reduction.
Trump has learned from his mistake; he is now purging the haters from the WH after this impeachment and acquittal; it should of been done before, and the colossal waste of time and money impeachment would of never happened.
Trumps policies and vision is aligned with most US citizens, thats why he has the support he does. Obamas objectives were aligned only with the elite, thus the disconnect.
bass4funk
Remember when Obama threatened to use his pen and phone? Look, all Presidents have the absolute right to comment or weigh in on the judicial system, but as usual the media only tells half of the truth. Barr also praised the President for NOT pushing him or interfering with any ongoing or previous case or pressured him to take a certain action. Let’s remember now to properly look at this in it’s entirety and not cherry-pick the tidbits that taste the best to us.
Blacklabel
Dems have the House, where is the legislation? Go ahead and pack the Supreme Court while you are at it?
Good luck!
Blacklabel
Good thing we are a constitutional republic not a “democracy”
Blacklabel
New High of 90% of Americans Satisfied With Personal Life
https://news.gallup.com/poll/284285/new-high-americans-satisfied-personal-life.aspx
Blacklabel
The unelected member of DOJ work for every president, including this one, the elected role of president of the United States is the Chief law enforcement officer. Simple fact.
FizzBit
Rational adults you say? Ha! Those same “rationale adults” who are fine with nominating Hillary Corporate Wall Street Clinton who destroyed Bernie Sanders in the last election, Those rational adults?
Seems you are just as confused as more than half the US population.
invalid CSRF
bass4funk
That they’ve been interfering in our elections since 2014? Indi
Which I know the global alt right trust more than US and other 'western' intelligence agencies.
For the global alt right, maybe, but not for those who value the republic and its Constitution, those who believe the US is a sovereign nation which should not be 'meddled' in by foreign powers. Yes, comrades, I'm aware the US has done worse.
WilliB
Got to love these "unbiased" headlines. Trump did not "interfere" in this particular case, he commented on the outrageous sentencing recommendation, which should infuriate anyone who looks at the case. If that breaks tradition, so be it. And being Potus he DOES have the right to pardon anyone, for any reason, which I surely hope, i case this insane sentence is passed.
Meanwhile, the corporate media writes nothing about the unfair jury situation in this case, which is mind-boggling.
bass4funk
What?
As genuine as his haters.
I remember when Obama meddled in the Treyvon Martin case and a few other, but somehow the media was as usual silent on that.
bass4funk
Thanks for agreeing with me that the impeachment farce is over. Mitch is a class act.
Holder and Lois Lerner did well.
And he’ll win a second term, not bad for a dumb guy. Lol
Serrano
to see a once great country succumbing to a cancer of stupidity and treachery
It's greater than ever in spite of the Democrats' stupidity and treachery.
Blacklabel
Yes everything is more than fine in America, thanks for your concern though.
Blacklabel
so basically lower level prosecutors threatened to withdraw from the case to create the appearance of something wrong going on if they didnt get their 7-9 year recommendation.
Their boss fell for that and then was overruled by more senior officials. Then the Mueller team prosecutors quit anyway, which seemed to be the goal in the first place to draw attention to themselves and the resistance.
Maybe we are tired of seeing Dems get away with lying under oath and to the FBI while anyone Trump associated gets screwed over. Times are a'changing. Liberals dont even know how to act, half are praising Barr for scolding Trump, the other half are saying its all planned out. Who knows?
theFu
Please show where, in US Law, it says the head of the executive branch cannot/should not manage the people who report to him in the justice department?
The Judicial Branch is separate, but the Justice Department, DoJ, is part of the Executive branch, which Trump heads.
The fact that it hasn't been used by prior Presidents just means they have a different management style.
With that written, I wish he'd let his people do their jobs and give any input privately. Either he hired the best people or he didn't.
OTOH, Trump ran on having his Administration being very open, which he interprets as management-by-twitter.
Nothing illegal here. Move on.
Disclosure: A relative of mine is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the DoJ and has been under multiple administrations.
Blacklabel
McCabe lied 4 times under oath to Congress and the FBI, according to the IG.
DOJ declined to prosecute.
Dead silence from liberals about the DOJ decision not following the IG prosecution recommendation. because you got your desired result. Impeach Barr! he went against the IG recommendation, how terrible, right? failure of justice.
The broken system is actually the two tiered system of justice and unequal application under the law. But until your heroes start looking like they are going to jail, you wont say a word.
bass4funk
But the socialists seem like they are enjoying eroding the democracies we so dearly cherish in this country and now make a mockery of it.
Not at all, the socialists were the ones that led a two year investigation that failed miserably and subsequently a failed impeachment attempt.
Was never proven. Remember, the Mueller investigation is over as well as the hoax impeachment. Time to move on.
bass4funk
No, it’s those rich Wall St. liberals and Silicone Valley geek liberals that want that. Don’t think they’ll be voting for Sanders.
Japan?
Serrano
Barr has also ordered an investigation into the Obama administration's activities in 2016 as it examined possible ties between Moscow and the Trump campaign
Who thinks Hillary and the DNC's efforts to pay for the Steele dossier was organized by Barack Obama?
Blacklabel
Its only broken when you lose or dont get your desired result. I didnt hear any of you complaining about how Bernie got the popular vote twice but both times either got less delegates or the same number. Or that time when Hillary won the popular vote over Obama.
Why has no one started legislation to fix this broken system by eliminating the electoral college?
bass4funk
All the more reasons as to why what you say is so clear and makes sense why Democrats would want to destroy the GOP.
bass4funk
Impeachment is over, move on. Lol
bass4funk
No, it’s accurate, Democrats have started threatening to impeach this President since he was inaugurated.
https://youtu.be/uaDienwfOBc
https://youtu.be/mMj7_nr8h04
He didn’t and Barr has stated that.
Damn for Trump for Tweeting and giving a more deeper point of view.
bass4funk
The Dems have been demanding and attacking it for not pushing to help them in getting rid of Trump, Roberts didn’t escape unscathed.
Both sides complain nothing new....
Constitutionally, the President is head of the executive which the DOJ is part of, he has the right to weigh in an show his displeasure and if liberals don’t like it, it’s ok.
98% of the liberal press has been out to (and so far unsuccessfully) to get him and since their number one priority is to attack Trump at every turn, the President will always use Twitter to get his side message out.
Yeah, liberals and Dems are the last people to make that claim. ROFL!
What?? Ohhh, ok.....