President-elect Biden wary of Trump-focused investigations, sources say

[brooklynite]

Source: NBC News

WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden has privately told advisers that he doesn't want his presidency to be consumed by investigations of his predecessor, according to five people familiar with the discussions, despite pressure from some Democrats who want inquiries into President Donald Trump, his policies and members of his administration.

Biden has raised concerns that investigations would further divide a country he is trying to unite and risk making every day of his presidency about Trump, said the sources, who spoke on background to offer details of private conversations.

They said he has specifically told advisers that he is wary of federal tax investigations of Trump or of challenging any orders Trump may issue granting immunity to members of his staff before he leaves office. One adviser said Biden has made it clear that he "just wants to move on."

Another Biden adviser said, "He's going to be more oriented toward fixing the problems and moving forward than prosecuting them."

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/president-elect-biden-wary-trump-focused-investigations-sources-say-n1247959

[rpannier]

1. No moving on

If he isn't held to account and trump's criminal behavior isn't investigated thoroughly and aggressively it will normalize this behavior
This was the mistake the Democrats made in 2006

[liberalgunwilltravel]

23. I agree, no moving on.

However, let New York State take care of Trump and his family. Trump will be busy pardoning himself and others of Federal crimes, so New York and possibly other states will have to take the lead. As far as going after all the other criminals of the Trump Administration, I think Biden will let his AG and a cleaned up DOJ do their jobs. Another major task of the DOJ and FBI will be going after the domestic terrorists that try to masquerade as militias. They are a real issue that will have to be dealt with.

[Rorey]

29. I agree

Also, it looks like Scotland might go after him.

As much as I want him, and every other criminal associate, held to account federally, I don't think that should be in the forefront of the Biden Administration. We're got a pandemic and economy to deal with. And the climate crisis!

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

100. I concur...

... the Biden Administration will be so busy dealing with the pandemic, as they are already. Let New York State and local prosecutors get the ball rolling. The discovery from that will no doubt bring up many, many points for investigation all on their own at the federal level, perhaps a year from now. By then we/Biden administration should have us aimed in the right direction as to CV-45 (CV-19 mutates and Trump let it run rampant).

And the information from those state investigations and prosecutions will be too great/horrid to ignore by the majority of Americans.

[usaf-vet]

55. I agree. If Biden had said this BEFORE the election the numbers might be different.

Will this country EVER deal with the fact the NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW?

If the likes of the grifter in the WH and his cohorts aren't worthy of a complete investigation WHO THE F**K IS!?

IMO some Democrat will challenge in the 2024 primaries if they don't bring them to justice. Stupid political suicide!

And who thinks the Republicans will play nice if they ever get the WH in 2024. Trump HAS SAID he is running in 2024.

[DENVERPOPS]

114. I couldn't agree more

We have played here and now go over far too many times.

Nixon-Reagan-HWBush-WBush-Cheney-Rumsfeld.......And to now just ignore Trump and his Minions having trashed the United States, our people, the Constitution, Rule of law, and Democracy.

The reason the Republicans all think they can get away with it, no matter how egregious, is that they continue to get away with it. And every time worse than the time before.

They have been trying to Obliterate the United States of America as a result of our President and his entire administration acting in orchestration with our worst enemy.......

This is, by far, the most thoroughly corrupt political party in the history of our nation. At this very moment, they are still trying to illegally overthrow the election, which is basically the same as overthrowing our government. And,if we don't get back the Senate, they will use that power to continue on their merry way to obstructing the functioning of America and the Biden administration.

This is not the time to pretend that nothing happened, allow them to keep in place all they have corruptly done, and play here and now go forward......

For Fuck's sake, we are talking about outright and repeated cases of Treason and the complete trashing of America.....Not only by Trump, but by countless members of his administration and the entire Republican Senate, among others......

AND, we are all sitting here, with him still in office for months, along with his entire Administration, and the Republican Senate and worrying ourselves sick about what he can and probably will do between now and January 20th.

Hell, just this past week he has been vocal about starting a war with Iran as his farewell kiss to American...........

WTF can the Democrats be thinking??????????????????????????????

[usaf-vet]

138. Thanks for the great expansion of my same thoughts. I don't want to be a naysayer but...,

.... we will open the door for another Trump to challenge us in 2024.

Wake up the repugs must have thought they just got an open invitation to 2024 and for moscowmitch to keep playing his games.

PLAY HARDBALL don't forfeit before the game has started!

[llashram]

70. this

[thesquanderer]

73. 2006? But I agree with the normalization point...

Obama turned the page on the Bush administration in 2008 (well, 2009 is when he actually took office), and before that we turned the page on Nixon, we turned the page on Iran-Contra, and as long as there are no consequences, there's no deterrent from the next one pushing the envelope even further.

But maybe in this case we can have our cake and eat it too, to some extent. I understand the counter need for Biden to try to unify the country. But as long as he just stays out of it, as others have said, Trump and members of his adminsitration/campaign can still be prosecuted at the state level, as well as (perhaps for only the most egregious events) a truly indepedent DOJ.

[PatrickforO]

122. There you are! Great strategy.

Biden himself can stay above it.

But no one should be above the law, and Trump has been so criminal there HAVE to be sanctions.

[iluvtennis]

126. + 1. nt

[DENVERPOPS]

149. All of them

Reagan and HWBush.......HWBush and Cheney.........WBush and Cheney......and now Trump and his entire CABAL.

Does the Constitution say anything about outright TREASON, and it's punishment??????/

[Grins]

107. The same mistake Ford made with Nixon.

There was no finality to Nixon’s crimes so they continued to Reagan, to both Bush’s, and now to Trump.

[rockfordfile]

131. I agree. Been there done that before and it got you trump

[RDANGELO]

2. I can understand it, but nobody is above the law.

The State of New York is probably going to indict him anyways.

[Escurumbele]

54. No, I can't understand it, it is BS

Hopefully he is saying it to give trump some hope to get him out of the WH, but that would be an even greater mistake than what Obama did of "moving forward".

If this criminal gets away with all the crimes he has committed the message will be heard by criminals worst than him, if that is possible.

If a crook robs a bank during banking hours where everyone can see him and he is not held accountable, you can bet he will rob again, and much bigger next time.

I really hope this is not true from Biden

[pazzyanne]

83. I think Biden is saying this because it supports his pledge to unite Americans together. nt

However, that said, I want the creature presently in the White House prosecuted to the full extent of the law for ALL the crimes he has committed! End of story!!!

[wsbradshaw]

112. It's not BS

It's not BS it's corruption .

[soothsayer]

3. As long as he doesn't stand in the way

No future pardons, please! Yes I know, there are state-level things that are unpardonable. I’m saying if and when they find other horrible federal crimes he’s sure to have committed...

[oldsoftie]

4. Just as I predicted before he even became the nominee.

The focus now has to be holding the House in '22; never ending "investigations" will push people away.
Everyone knows Trump is a con man now.
Lets just enjoy watching his "empire" crumble

[Rorey]

30. Very good points

We've been dealing with four years of vindictiveness from a petty narcissist. I think people are tired of it, and when he's out, more things will come to light without the Biden Administration getting mired in it.

There will be so many tell-all books out from people in OrangeLoser's own circle who will be trying to cash in on what they saw and heard over the last four years. It's going to get very ugly for him, despite what the federal government may or may not do to him.

[oldsoftie]

133. I agree. We need to remember this election wasnt a landslide.

TRUMP would call it one, but the margin of victory in several states was close. We dont need to get full of ourselves and lose the House in '22

[Escurumbele]

60. Nope, democratic voters will not vote next time, we want justice.

"No one is above the law" would have no meaning, it will become just an empty phrase for politicians to utter whenever convenient knowing that it means nothing.

We want justice, all these crooks must be held accountable, and that includes trump, his family, Barr, Graham, McConnell, Jordan, Devin Nunes, etc.

What is the meaning of justice if crooks are allowed to roam free with no accountability for their crimes? What good is the law if that happens?

I believe allowing trump and all the crooks I mentioned to go untouched will be very detrimental to our democracy and rule of law, I would even predict that a revolution will come along, and a real socialist/communist will win the next elections.

That is what has happened in many South American countries, the corruption from so called democratic governments was so rampant that the people became very angry and very distrustful of democracy which opened the doors for the socialist/communist rhetoric, rhetoric that sounds wonderful when you don't know what it leads to, and after so much corruption the people are tired, they believe it and vote for them.

I was in Venezuela doing some work in 1998, which is the year that Chavez was elected. I heard his rhetoric, and I told some people that I understood that I did not know anything about Venezuelan politics, but if I were to vote, I would vote for Chavez after hearing everything he said he was going to do, mainly he was going to get rid of corruption. So the people believed the rhetoric, and see where Venezuela is right now. IT CAN HAPPEN HERE as well.

[llashram]

69. this++

[LymphocyteLover]

92. yes, it can happen here and already did-- post-GW Bush, post-GHW Bush, post-Nixon

Crimes are crimes and letting politicians get away with endless corruption turns people off from politics.

[oldsoftie]

134. But more people voted in '16 & '20 than ever before.

if they were turned off it sure didnt show at the polls

[PatrickforO]

127. I won't go so far as to say I won't vote, but you have a good point about

us as a nation finding ways to hold the Trump criminal family accountable for their crimes.

I think Biden will be wise to stay above it, but I fully expect the House to pursue some investigations. I also expect the Attorneys General from the various states to move forward, and certainly the IRS should be investigating Trump's tax evasion. In an ideal government, while the IRS is part of the administration, like the DoJ, it should be independent enough to pursue this on behalf of the American people even if it is unpleasant, which it will be.

In fact, it will get downright ugly. Biden can stay above it, but it does need to happen.

[oldsoftie]

132. Well then they may have to be happy with Pres Haley if they wanna stay home.

States will go after trump.
he's not going to get off scot free. It just wont be easy to actually prove the shit he's done in office on a federal level

[PatrickforO]

142. I do have one other thought. Please be careful about telling people you won't vote unless...

See, the thing is that a lot of Bernie people ended up voting Green in 2016, or simply not coming out to vote at all.

So, Trump squeaked through with an electoral victory, even though Clinton had more votes.

And, we had four years of hell, where a monster nearly pulled down this republic around our ankles. That, I think, was from people in our party deciding, 'oh, well, I didn't get my way, so now I'm not gonna vote...'

As I said, Biden is perfectly justified in staying above it, because he's got to be the healer. Problem is, for healing, many Americans, myself included, need a bit of good, old-fashioned catharsis. So, the State Attorney's General, the IRS, the DoJ, the US House, and possibly the Senate can and should investigate and prosecute if justified, which it will be.

[DonaldsRump]

5. I wonder...

Is this just a trial balloon being sent up to see what folks think? Also, it might be targeted at this stage at Trump so that he feels more comfortable in conceding or at least not acting like a tantrum-infused toddler when he has to leave the White House.

It's a curious leak during this time, given everything else that's going on.

In any event, whatever the political reasons for something like this coming out, I would urge President Biden to COMPLETELY investigate Trump for corruption and acts against the US. You don't need to investigate Trump from day one. Criminal prosecutors tends to start with satellites of the real investigation target and get them to say what really happened, and then start moving inward. I doubt Trump will ever go to prison, at least on federal criminal charges, but what he has done these last several years must be TOTALLY exposed.

Otherwise, as other posters have astutely noted, it normalizes his behavior, behavior which very nearly destroyed this country.

[Rorey]

32. It not only normalizes behavior

It could also continue to cover up ongoing crimes of others in his criminal circle. Punishment is one thing. Stopping the damage is the bigger thing.

[Tommymac]

38. Sometimes punishment sets the example so the other vermin crawl back under their rocks.

A few immediate convictions in high profile corruption cases will go a long way to preventing further damage.

Those should be pursued vigorously and publicly. Get these done in the first year then go low profile.

The vast majority of fraud and corruption cases should at the very least be legally investigated and exposed to the general public and historians.

No hurry for these - just a trickle of exposés over a dozen years will keep the heat on the criminals and lowlifes.

One exception is Rethug pols who illegally enabled Trumpism - they need to exposed to scandal and be Judged in the Court of Public Opinion - i.e. elections.

Groups like The Lincoln Project and MeidasTouch should handle those in their patented 'civilized' way.



GOTV GA

[SnowCritter]

53. Exactly!

If behavior like this isn't punished then it gives implicit permission to continue said behavior.

A slap on the wrist isn't enough - there needs to be some real teeth in the punishment. Slaps on the wrist will be looked upon as the "cost of doing business".

[not_the_one]

97. Then this balloon needs to be popped, pronto.

If Biden wants to destroy the democratic party, let the turd and his enablers walk.

If that happens, there will be a lot of walking. By democrats, dropping out of a do-nothing party.

We CAN walk and chew gum at the same time. I suggest we try.

If Biden is going to return us to the "law and order" and "no one is above the law" ideal, accountability MUST be addressed.

Treason is not something you let slide.

[Magoo48]

6. Agreed. To the extent federal prosecutions may interfere with critical focus on our climate crisis,

vengeance is a waste of time, treasure, and energy. There is real work at hand requiring immediate attention. Let the states investigate his misdeeds while we get started on our most potentially devastating and certainly more pressing concerns.

[Fullduplexxx]

14. Holding trump accountable for his crimes is not vengence

[Magoo48]

28. Call it what you will.

[Fullduplexxx]

39. I called it what it is thank you

[Magoo48]

52. To each of us the order of priorities will be different.

[LenaBaby61]

118. " I called it what it is thank you."

Totally agree.

This fat, evil, rotten, racist, treasonous son of a bitch is murdering people. LITERALLY, be it through wanting the ACA/pre-existing to go away IN TOTAL through the court system that he stacked so that it may go away, during a pandemic and by the way he's watching people DIE from Covid-19, as he plays leaisurely on the golf course, tweets and eats.

But, I guess it's okay that the son of a bitch murdered grandma, cousin Johnnie, my late Dad, sister, brother etc. via Covid-19 and through wanting to dismantle health care in total with NO replacement.

Yeah, it's 'okay' to watch innocent BABIES and CHILDREN dying from Covid-19 and because they don't have any health care during this pandemic.

God, some of these folks. Yes, I understand that Biden has things to do, but IF he just lets tRump "get away with it," and is barely punished by law enforcement in NY and elsewhere, we'll be seeing another tRump sooner rather than later.

I'm thinking, is it the JOB of Democrats to be the roll over my ass any kind of way you want to party?

IF SO, I'm happy to have less time ahead of me being 60 years old, because I'll never vote again for another Democrat if this is the mamby-pamby approach they take to a literal serial killer in tRump, and his enablers the GOP.

[beachbumbob]

7. biden will allow the DOJ to pursue and HIS focus must be on moving forward

[Nortbnd101]

57. Getting Trump to conceed--

With so much time until Jan 21st, Joe is just slipping DT a chill pill, and to the citizenry
to dial back the hostility. Let's just get to 1/21---then let the legal chips fall where they may.

[RiverbendsJoe]

8. Black folks aren't having it this time.

Biden FAILED to secure the votes of a majority of white voters, and we Black voters didn’t elect him just to watch him let all the Trumpsters off scot-free. IF we are a nation of laws, then some white folks are going to have to go to prison this time, no matter how much it upsets other white folks.

[brooklynite]

11. Do you have any data pointing to Black voters focusing on Trump's ethics as a voting reason?

[EndlessWire]

49. Oh, please

Please stop all this racist shit.

We all want to see tRump et al punished. I'm betting that Black voters didn't elect Biden just to punish Trump. We ALL voted to get rid of Trump because he was/is becoming a dictator and was grifting for himself and his family. He is a very bad man, and bad for the country. I'd like to think that Black people voted for Biden because they are patriotic.

[RiverbendsJoe]

66. Think whatever you would like to think, including the "thought" that the opinions of black voters,

who are the Democratic Party's strongest supporters, are just part of "all this racist shit." That oughta work out well.

[Chemisse]

103. So you are the voice of 'Black Voters'?

I'm pretty sure we are all individuals - no matter our skin pigmentation - who have numerous forces driving our vote.

[EndlessWire]

129. Oh, hell

I am nobody's voice. It isn't worth it.

[Chemisse]

150. Actually, my comment was not to you. n/t

[EndlessWire]

165. TY. n/t

[EndlessWire]

130. You said what you said.

You make a racist remark, then I have the right to comment on it.

[cstanleytech]

9. Please do not repeat Obama's mistake as it

will only encourage them to continue to behave badly.
Simply have the DOJ appoint a completely independent and impartial investigations team that the White House has no control over.
A failure to do at least that risks alienating voters that supported you in favor of a challenger for the nomination for the 2024 election.

[EndlessWire]

50. It's going to be Kamala

and I'm fine with that. Joe is in fixit mode, as he should be. At least half his Presidency will be consumed by the pandemic and economy, backtracking to fix what The Orange Turd broke.

[PoliticAverse]

80. It certainly won't be the Vice President. n/t

[bucolic_frolic]

10. Practicality is an important consideration

And not to make any investigation political. Let DOJ look as they can, and let NYAG do their thing.

Don't bog down progress in more Trump.

[Fullduplexxx]

12. Oh boy here we go ..

[Bernardo de La Paz]

13. tRump happened because Nixon & Reagan (Iran-Contra) & Bush were not held to account. . . nt

[d_b]

15. I hold in my hand

A piece of paper from Mitch McConnell guaranteeing that Republicans are just pretending to be Nazi trash

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. Yes, focus on fixing problems Covid #1, Electoral reform #2, tRump-Republicon lawlessness #3

Yes, America can walk and chew gum and listen to a podcast all at the same time (to update old metaphor).

[dem4decades]

17. Great, let him go. Then when the next authoritarian comes along, one with a brain, he'll know

can do whatever he wants and will never be held accountable.

Then we can trace the death of the nation back to the Trump Administration and the lack of it being held responsible.

[olegramps]

18. I listened to his response and he said it was the DOJ responsibility.

His response seemed to me to be both wise and correct in that he said that the presidency should not be used to pressure the DOJ to launch investigations. That is exactly what the Trump administration did in Trump's abuse of his authority. I to see Trump held accountable, but it would not be wise for the president to become involved in what could be considered to be vindictive mimicking Trump. If congress wants to hold investigations then so be it. But, I think that it would be wise for the president to neither support of oppose the actions of congress to investigate. He should act presidential, not like the fool who has used the office and has done do much to destroy our nation.

I firmly agree that Trump and his cadre of bootlicking traitors should be held accountable. I am not privileged to what conversations took place, however, it was speaker Pelosi who said that congress would not hold investigations and the any notion of impeachment was off the table. I am totally in agreement with holding Trump accountable but let the congress, totally unimpeded by the administration, to do its job. Isn't that in agreement with the concept of the separation of powers that the Trump administration, as well as those before him, has attempted to do by turning the presidency into a authoritarian dictatorship. I would welcome any comments on the matter.

[PoliticAverse]

79. It's the President's job to make sure the laws are enforced - specifically tasked to do so...

in the Constitution even...

he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed

As George Washington wrote:

It is my duty to see the Laws executed: to permit them to be trampled upon with impunity would be repugnant to it; nor can the Government longer remain a passive spectator of the contempt with which they are treated.

[olegramps]

139. I agree, however this does not mean that he should determine who should be prosecuted.

He should provide oversight to assure that those who are responsible do their job as investigator and prosecutors without prejudice. I see no where in the Constitution that he should be an investigator or a prosecutor. That would fall into the separation of power. If a person is misusing the authority of the DOJ than they should be held accountable and replaced by the president who has that duty and power. The office of the president and his use of power can unfortunately be abused. There were extensive discussion in this regard in the Federal Papers.

Washington, some felt such, Washington was relying to heavily on the honor of those in power not to abuse it. Perhaps, as some of today's constitutional experts believe that more safeguards are required to prevent what we are experiencing. Unfortunately, Washington's unbinding since of honor is not shared by many of today's politicians who would gladly throw their own mother under the bus. I lean toward the need for adequate legislation to protect us from tyrants and unprincipled thugs such as Trump. It would be interesting to see those who support or reject such legislation that could be a blanket condemnation of the attempts of the Republicans to transform the presidency into an authoritarian virtual dictatorship.

[Chemisse]

104. That sounds fine. No president should be pushing for prosecutions.

But he also shouldn't stand in the way. The DOJ should be in charge of it all.

[OneBro]

19. Well, at least Mitch McConnell might die from the belly laughs.

Investigate the Trump Administration because that’s the only way we get to all of the Republican who aided and abetted in the treason, the looting of the treasury, theft of personal protection equipment states had ordered to fight the pandemic, . . .

They keep intentionally burning the house down and we keep showing up with water and forgiveness so we can all heal from the fire even as they are throwing sticks and debris on the hot spots to keep the fire going because they lost the election but might retain the Senate and thus will ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY investigate the Biden administration for the resulting water damage to the carpet.

It’s like giving my dog a treat each time he poops on the kitchen floor at dinner time. After years of the same sh*t, we can no longer blame the dog for doing what works.

[JudyM]

145. +1. They keep walking, and we're the only ones who can hold them accountable to minimize

more of the same in the future.

[Maeve]

20. How about just instructing your administration to fully cooperate with other investigations

State and congressional, to begin with, but allow the press wider access as well. Only go after the more extreme examples others highlight.
He's going to have his hands full just rooting out the corrupt actors in place, much less prosecuting them.

Oh, yeah and the House gets ALL the Beast's tax info! That would be enough.

[Dr. Skull]

21. Biden Is Right To Focus On Moving Forward

NY State and City DA's will handle Trump's crimes. They are already making moves to do just that.

[iscooterliberally]

22. Trump needs to be investigated regardless of how 'wary' Biden might feel.

He can get a team together just to handle all the crimes that Trump has committed while in office. I'll bet a lot of it traces back to republican senators too. Justice matters. This needs to be done at the same time that everything else is getting done. Biden needs to step up, not roll over.

[Susan Calvin]

24. No. nt

[Lonestarblue]

25. This isn't just about Trump. It's also about a president's ability to obstruct Congress.

We absolutely need to know if Trump is a Russian asset. That such a person got to the head of our government once is frightening, but it could happen again with someone much smarter and disciplined than Trump. The best way to find out Trump’s connections is to follow the money trail.

It’s also about the almost total obstruction of Congress in their oversight role by refusing to provide witnesses or documents. How is Congress supposed to serve as a check and balance if the president simply refuses to cooperate and the courts don’t make him? Trump set a terrible precedent that any future Republican will simply expand to the point where Congress has no legal powers of checks and balance.

As a first step, Biden needs to declassify as much of the Mueller Report as possible, especially all the parts that Barr kept hidden. Mueller found 10 cases where Trump committed obstruction of justice. Mueller said he could be indicted after he leaves office, and those indictments should happen if he has pardoned himself. The ability of a president to pardon his own criminal actions needs to be tested in the SC. The DOJ rule that a sitting president cannot be indicted also needs to be overturned.

It sets a terrible precedent for Trump to get away with everything he has done to destroy our government and some of the Constitutional powers of the Congress. Republicans were willing accomplices in this destruction, and at the very least the public needs to know that they were complicit in Trump’s crimes.

All that said, there’s also a big risk of making Trump a martyr and causing his rabid supporters to rise up and start their war. But Trump is a real danger and needs to be held accountable for all the damage he has done and is still doing with his refusal to concede. How do we just let that go when we know he will still have a public voice through social media to spin his own history that is totally false.

[Locrian]

40. exactly right

we came a few millimeters from completely destroying the US gov and democracy. There is no doubt in my mind that if trump had won we would have (completed the task he started) destroyed the rule of law and checks and balances.

Not moving the needle back is a gigantic mistake, and it signals there is no sheriff in town anymore.

Oh, and "newsflash" - we're not going to "win over" trump supporters or Fox, or etc with the "lets move on" stuff. They are going to come after us with a whole new slew of media as a way to draw in (con) their rubes. Take the battle TO them - not as a "only" thing but as a slow drip, drip, drip of justice

[Botany]

47. "Biden needs to declassify as much of the Mueller Report as possible..."

+1

[machoneman]

26. Let NYS go after him for tax evasions. Congress needs to go after all his lawyers, Cabinet and WH...

..staffers who lied, cheated, stole, ignored subpoenas, violated God knows how many Hatch Act rules, etc. Need to immediately investigate Don McGahn, Trump's inauguration graft (Ivanka, Jr. too?) and other clear violations of the law.

I'd agree that Federal investigations of Trump himself could bear fruit but he'll be in bigger trouble with the NYS A.G/'s office. Then we can claim that Congress isn't the foil here to Trump s plans to skate on all kinds of law breaking issues.

[vlyons]

27. Well this is disappointing

Justice is a virtue, and has been for a very long time. Even Aristotle wrote that justice is a virtue. Were I POTUS, I would charge Trump with Treason, followed by the depraved indifference manslaughter of 250K Americans. But I understand Biden's not wanting to get bogged down with investigations. Prosecution and conviction is a deterrent. There's still a lot of arrogant Republicans, who think that they are above the law.

[Botany]

31. The installation of D. Trump into the White House by Russia was an act of war and the biggest ...

... crime in our nation's history. No way to walk away from our duties to expose what happened
We have >1/4 of million Americans dead because of that asshole and and his helpers we can't
get to the other side of rainbows and dancing puppy dogs until what happened is exposed. Pence
was picked by Putin via Manafort, McCarthy, Sessions, Ryan, and McConnell all knew about the
Russian rat fucking of our democracy, and tens of millions of dollars of dirty Russian money was
given to Republicans through the NRA. Not to mention that when Trump and Kushner were told of
the coming pandemic in the fall of 2019 they not only did nothing but invest in HCQ (hydroxylchoro-
quine) and then their C-19 test kits and then in Feb. of 2020 they shipped 18 tons of PPE to China
because Trump owed them money. Trump and company sold out America and were active agents
for a hostile foreign country, Russia.

[SunSeeker]

33. This issue will soon be moot when Trump pardons himself and everyone in his administration.

Then it will just be up the state AGs and local DAs. The NY AG is on it.


There is no reason to bash Biden just because he says he won't direct who DOJ should prosecute. He shouldn't do that any way. Our DOJ needs to look independent and decide on its own who to prosecute.

[still_one]

35. I think it will be more than NY

[still_one]

34. That isn't the purpose of the presidency. Biden is right. It will be other parties that will go

after trump for any crimes he may have engaged in

Biden will be focusing on the pandemic, healthcare, jobs, the environment, civil rights, etc

If his administration spent the next two years going after trump and his cronies, we would pay the consequences in the midterms and 2024

That doesn’t mean states and other entities won’t be going after trump and his associates

[intrepidity]

159. "Enforcing the law" is actually, literally in the job description

if that's not true, please correct me

[still_one]

162. First they shouldn't show their cards before inauguration, and the Georgia runoffs. Second it is

likely trump will get a pardon from Pence, third if the is anything on the federal level, not subject to a trump pardon, Biden’s DOJ will act accordingly, and regardless, there is a good chance states will be going after trump

[Ponietz]

36. I realize Joe may be talking this way to bring pukes in from the cold

But unless there is justice, I don’t believe democracy survives beyond 2024.

[Danascot]

37. An independent prosecutor or prosecutors

should be appointed and then be allowed to follow the cases wherever they lead. Biden and congress do not need to be seen as vindictive or unreasonable. Investigations should take place with little or no announcements of their progress to avoid the RW media from screaming about every little thing. That was one thing Mueller did well. If crimes are found, the prosecutors should be the ones issuing indictments and their actions would be well supported by the law,

It isn't just Trump who will likely be prosecuted by NY. There are dozens of his minions who have committed serious crimes against the US and they need to be pursued. Are we going to let Barr off scot free? DeJoy? Jared stealing PPE? The people who separated families and imprisoned children? That would be a very bad idea. I understand why Biden or congress might want to 'move forward' but that won't fly this time, and we shouldn't let it.

[Bettie]

41. "Moving On" after Reagan

bought us W.

Moving on after W made Trump possible.

Our nation can't survive an even more criminal president and we'll get one if there aren't consequences for his actions.

[Lou Is]

42. I Couldn't Possibly DISAGREE More

Trump is a traitor, and Bilious Barr is his accessory. Those two at least have to be criminally prosecuted, and I've a few others in mind, too!

[JoeOtterbein]

43. Where are all the posters saying that this is just an "opinion analysis, not a "report" when...

...we need them?

If I had posted this they would be yelling that I was just trying to be divisive!

Where the hell are you guys this morning?

[LanternWaste]

148. Possibly because "those posters" understand the difference between editorial and objective reporting

Let's hope more and more realize the same.



(I don't think the scouts give out merit badges for martyrdom...)

[Nasruddin]

44. Martyr

There are practical political reasons to avoid a revenge war with Trump admin figures.

1st, it gives them a national stage to posture and cry on. This is a winner for them.
2nd, it is unlikely to succeed. There are Trumpers everywhere & they'll be in the jury pools.
3rd, it's a huge distraction
4th, it's against Mr Biden's stated objective of bringing us together. That isn't going to be easy.

Let the states work over Mr Trump & his immediates for alleged financial misdeeds. That will keep him busy & no one in Tennessee gives a rat's tail whether he paid his taxes or not. If there's a real problem there, it will probably drain him dry and there might even be criminal charges (unlikely, but who knows). Slow-roll the IRS too, if that's possible. Keep Mr Trump and his family off the national stage.

Let's have a real counter intelligence investigation, tho, & find out what all this smoke about Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, China is really about. Is there any there there? This might take a while. I'm guessing but I think this might follow whatever comes from some of the state investigations of financial misdeeds. Allow yourself to be forced into a money laundering investigation if that's what appears. Or maybe Scotland's if that ever gets off the ground. Don't rush.

On the other hand, given the nature of the people in the Trump admin & some of the known history, there's probably some smoking grift in the "quiet" agencies. Look into this. If there's a slam-dunk crime in here, it would be politically savvy to make an example out of whoever is doing this. Everyone wins.

On the 3rd hand, if Mr Trump does pardon himself & everybody else, don't worry. He can't list all the possible everybodys, he loses some of his 5th amendment protections, & he probably cannot pardon himself for future crimes (like perjury).

[NCjack]

45. Trump's crimes need to be exposed, investigated, and adjudicated.

If he has a pardon in his pocket, then he can use it to set aside his sentence, or Pres. Biden can pardon him. But, this mega-master criminal must be showcased to the World. He came within a whisker of killing our democracy and making himself America's first fascist leader. That cannot be settled with ignoring him.

Joe just changed how I will see him from this point forward.

[NCjack]

75. As Joe's state victories were reported, my blood pressure began to

drop to values that I have not seen for four years. This statement by Joe sent it back to pre-election values. I just can't accept that Trump skates away from his shit pile.

[NCjack]

76. As Joe's state victories were reported, my blood pressure began to

drop to values that I have not seen for four years. This statement by Joe sent it back to pre-election values. I just can't accept that Trump skates away from his shit pile.

[malthaussen]

46. Uh huh. I was afraid of that.

Reductio ad absurdum: Joe Biden issues Presidential pardon for Donald Trump.

-- Mal

[JT45242]

48. Lunacy at its highest -- Repubs break the law and are never held accountable --

We all know the informal definition of lunacy as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

1987-88 Dems had credible evidence that Baker and other members of Reagan's campaign funnelled millios of dollars to Iran to hold onto the hostages in order to win the election. Dems chose not to go over after a lame duck President in his last year because it would potentially fracture the country. As a result George HW and his goons got elected in 1988 and proceeded to engage in more illegal activity.

1992 -- Clinton takes over and the Dems again take the high road. Leaving dirtbags like Rove and Cheney free to come back to start a war with a goal of stealing oil to drive the economy. Commit warcrimes by torturing inmates and all the other atrocities that they let loose upon this country.
In return for this magnanimous gesture -- Newt, Grassley, Ken Starr and others hatch a plot to catch Bill lying about an affair under oath by forcing him to give a deposition under oath about it and then using it to impeach him.

2000 -- George W steals an election (and again in 2004) by having the USSC issue dubious rulings to stop counting or to not count ballots at all from high minority areas (see the boxes of destroyed ballots ordered by Scalia). The lies etc only get worse. Gerrymandering, Citizen's United, other crazy court decisions.

2008 Again, the Dems win the WH but do not go after the criminals from the previous regime who will resurface again later. We do not go after them for the racist birtherism and even more gerrymandered districts at the state and House of Reps level. McConnell brags that he will block everything that Obama will try to do (sound familiar). The quote form the Obama memoir "You are talking like you think I care" -- McConnell and the (R) only value power, pure unadulterated power.

2016 An actual criminal is elected and Ken Star, Rove, Newt, etc are at his side or pulling strings behind the scenes. Citizens United allows millions of rubles to flow into the NRA and we do nothing. Facebook actually was paid in Rubles for pro-Trump ads and had the audacity to ask -- how should we know where the money came from to Congress.

The only legislation that an all (R) government can pass is a super tax cut for the uber-wealthy with a poison pill set for 2021 when they know a Dem will win the WH. Tax rates rise on the middle class next year, rest assured that EVERY (R) in the country will run on a platform that Sleepy Joe did nothing (because McConnell blocked every piece of legislation) except raise your taxes.

Grassley now opposes impeachment. Starr works on the Trump defense.

2020 If the (R) win either seat in Georgia, McConnell will block every piece pf legislation. The next criminal (R) will not be as stupid or inept as Trump. Someone with brains and no conscience knowing that they will face no consequences will probably end our democratic experiment. The big money behind the (R) party will make certain that there is more and more voter suppression so that they will continue to win.

With each election, they have gotten more brazen in their disrespect for the rule of law. The only thing that saved us for the last four years was that an imbecilic idiot was the figurehead in charge and Pence is not the Machiavellian mind that Cheney and Rove were. Unless there are consequences our threats of sending (R) politicians to the naughty step will not work. There needs to be real prosecution.

I would imagine that there is a transcript of Don Jr in his meetings saying that "So what if 20,000 New Yorkers die, they wouldn't vote for us anyway." Charge him with 10,000 counts of voluntary manslaughter, and 10,000 counts of muredr 2 (depraved indiference to human life). Let the jury decide which charge sticks. The difference would be 15,000 years versus 25,000 years in prison.

Start with the Mueller report and the Unindicted Individual #1.

[intrepidity]

160. Please, please post this as an OP nt

[bluestarone]

51. Joe will be the president. He makes the decisions. ( i can see some of his points) BUT

I'm allowed to disagree on this one! (i do and will accept his decisions) To me this would be a PERFECT RECIPE for problems in 2024. (also 4 years of this asshole to rant and rave for his base) Just got my fingers crossed for the State of NY. to handle RUMP and family!!

[yaesu]

56. An investigation shouldn't involve the presidency in any way, its a moot point

Repukes may try to involve him just to muddy the waters but Biden will not have it & won't be running the JD like the criminal tRump organisation.

[heckles65]

58. Much as I hate Trump

let NYS take the lead. There is an advantage in having the national Democratic party not directly involved.

[EndlessWire]

59. I just don't want to see a pardon.

Trump is going to pardon every one of them. And we are saddled with McConnell if we don't prevail in the run off.

I'm very vindictive. It is one of my bad traits. I always want to see justice and fairness. But. that is sometimes hard to get, and sometimes you have to pick and choose what to keep, and what to give up.

You know what would be justice? Have them imprisoned in the cages they put the children in. But, not only are we not going to see that, we are going to watch with our mouths hanging open as Trump and his family walk away from tax court after an out of court settlement. And, that's going to be a bitter day. That's going to happen no matter what Joe does. I just pray that he doesn't pardon him.

Joe is right. NYS is going to have to do what they can. We need to shun Trump and move on to work on the pandemic, the economy, and police and social reform. We need to lead.

The thing that I want to see MOST, given the circumstances, is denial of a broadcast license. Keep this bastard, his family, friends, and future candidates from our airwaves. Prevent his media company from operating. Get rid of his people in the licensing office, and find the lawful means to deny him access. Make it part of any settlement he gets. Whatever.

[heckles65]

61. Absolutely not!!

[EndlessWire]

62. Absolutely not what? n/t

[Mr. Sparkle]

63. imo , because the Bush administration wasnt punished, we got Trump.

If the Trump administration are not punished for breaking nearly all the checks and balances, i shudder to think what the next right wing administration will be like,

[llashram]

64. wary? why?

Bush/Cheney 2.0..."let's move on". 250,000 people dead. The grifter family 135million dollars richer in 4 years of using the WH for their personal businesses. And broken law after broken law from the whole goddamn administration, the list is as long as the equator. I just hope the incoming administration is tough on these outgoing cons and crooks in a way they will make them fear retribution from some agency of law enforcement.

[DinahMoeHum]

65. Really, people? That is NOT what I'm reading from this. . .

READ FURTHER INTO THIS STORY, PLEASE. . .

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/president-elect-biden-wary-trump-focused-investigations-sources-say-n1247959

Biden has told aides that he's concerned that investigations would divide the country but that he would leave decisions up to an independent Justice Department.

Biden wants his Justice Department to function independently from the White House, aides said, and Biden isn't going to tell federal law enforcement officials whom or what to investigate or not to investigate.

"His overarching view is that we need to move the country forward," an adviser said. "But the most important thing on this is that he will not interfere with his Justice Department and not politicize his Justice Department."

Emphasizing an arm's-length approach to the Justice Department could give Biden cover from criticism from his supporters about any lack of investigations into Trump, his policies or his staff. Democrats have sharply criticized Trump's direct influence on Justice Department investigations, including his calls for Biden and former President Barack Obama to be prosecuted over allegations of unspecified crimes. Pledging, as Biden has, not to interfere with federal investigations would be welcomed by many of his supporters.

In order words, people, Biden is going to let the DOJ do what they feel they must do and will not micromanage it.

And in any case, what the federal courts won't prosecute, New York state will. Guaranteed.

[llashram]

82. this is not a new

spin on "let's move forward"--"let's move on" sound the same to me. Justice Dpt blah, blah, blah etc, etc

[DinahMoeHum]

144. Thanks for not reading the article in its entirety.

[llashram]

147. honestly, I did read the article

and more importantly I did comprehend what it said. My only reason for my post IS I personally don't want to see those words. Just me and it's my right to criticize those words this early when the GSA won't recognize the Biden/Harris victory go smoother to help the transition, per trumps order no doubt. The orange menace won't concede which truly to me is no biggie. Don't judge me please, that is not civil when you weren't with me in my life's experience(s). I will agree to a certain level of civility and expect it from the classy politician leaders we voted in.

But I reiterate, no "moving on" until the inauguration. Then...

[LiberalArkie]

67. You have to remember that the political class will not be punished by the political class.

[DeminPennswoods]

68. I remember Clinton's 1st term getting off to a poor start

because the first thing he did was the military "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The IRS is already challenging Trump's 75M tax write-off. They can continue that. NYC and NY state AGs are investigating Trump and the Trump Organization. They can continue that. Deutchebank seems to be through with Trump, too. They can go after him. House Ways and Means will finally get Trump's tax returns from the IRS and they can continue with their work.

There's really no need for Biden's admin itself to get further involved. Trump's yesterday's news and karma looks poised to catch up with him.

[Gore1FL]

71. I don't want his presidency to be consumed with investigations either.

That's on Trump and the Republicans. Let the DOJ, with competent patriots, do their job and let the chips fall.

[LymphocyteLover]

91. that's right

Biden doesn't have to think about what his independent DOJ does. Also, congress can investigate too.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

74. They wouldn't do the same for him.

Looks weak.

[Fiendish Thingy]

77. Well, then, his presidency has failed before it begins, and America will never heal

Without the Trump cabal being brought to Justice, America is guaranteed to get another Trump in the future, only the next one will be more competent and will learn from this one’s mistakes.

Biden said he would not interfere with the DOJ investigating or prosecuting Trump, and he should keep his word. His AG should not have to make a pledge to leave Trump and his minions alone.

No man is above the law, and the president’s oath promises to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.

[mcar]

78. Biden wants his Justice Department to function independently from the White House

Biden wants his Justice Department to function independently from the White House, aides said, and Biden isn't going to tell federal law enforcement officials whom or what to investigate or not to investigate.

This is as it should be.

[CanonRay]

81. Here we fucking go again

Move ahead my ass. How can we ba a nation of laws and move ahead. They broke every fucking law on the books. Twice.

[Javaman]

84. no investigations, one term president.

and I certainly won't support whomever the prop up to "move past this dark time in American history". fuck that.

the orange asshole fucked this country hard and he and his room full of sycophantic sociopaths need to be held accountable. if they aren't there won't be a repuke or a Dem, in the traditional sense, ever elected again.

[ancianita]

85. He can be wary as long as he doesn't stop them, or announce that there will be none.

Biden can still support justice being done for ALL Americans without appeasing the so far unaccountable and guilty for the harm they have done to all Americans no matter how stupidly millions believe otherwise.

[Hotler]

86. I sucked it up when Bush/Cheny got a pass, not this time. As someone else said earlier..

"Don't fuck it up Joe." .

[Scalded Nun]

87. This better not be happening

We already have seen what that results in what Obama decided to 'move on' from Bush/Cheney/all-the-others...it only empowers the next ones and will get worse with every iteration.

[Lock him up.]

88. And the "uniting" will not work.

We don't want to "unite" with the christoliban. Period.

[JohnnyRingo]

89. He could let NY handle the hell he's due.

The Trump family probably left behind enough of a criminal trail in that state to put them away for years, if they're treated like any other people.

On the other hand, I'm sure republicans will start investigations of Joe Biden around inauguration day. Barrista anyone?

[maddogesq]

105. If NY has the goods and hits the ground running on 1/20...

Donny and the fam would have one-way tickets to Rikers Island and Biden doesn't have to take the heat from Cult45

That said, it does open old wounds in regards to the Obama Administration not going after the BFEE for their misdeeds.

Still, part of me sees this as different given the criminal history of Family von Drumpf in the State of New York that will hopefully be their undoing.

[TryLogic]

90. Unacceptable

People who are not held accountable will continue their evil deeds. It is reasonable and wise to pick your battles (investigations and prosecutions) though.

[LymphocyteLover]

93. How about just crime-focused investigations then?

[Nitram]

94. I'm sick of the way we Democrats are so quick to forgive and forget the crimes against America and

democracy that Republicans commit in office. What we need is a totally business-like accounting of Trump's crimes against the country and we need to make him pay for those crimes. If we don't, they're just going to do it again and again. Enough already! Just follow the rule of law.

[truthisfreedom]

95. Biden's gonna need a really big organization.

He’s gonna have to pass info to those in need, and let the chips fall.

Money will be available to investigate. Believe me.

[TryLogic]

96. Here are some things to do to "move on".

1. Make it necessary for all major presidential and VP candidates to get top security clearance in advance - before becoming final candidates, before becoming eligible to actually become president and VP.

2. Classify voter suppression as treason with appropriate punishment.

3. Make dissemination of lies and misinformation which affects the health or safety of the general public, or national security, a serious crime. (Yes, there is the first amendment, but too much of a good thing can be very bad, as we have seen.)

[Ohio Joe]

98. Moot point...

The orange menace will pardon himself and family. The federal govt can do nothing.

Fortunatly the states can have a field day

[Bayard]

99. New York prosecution is a given

But I also recall Biden saying that the new Justice Dept. will be independent of him, and what they choose to pursue is up to them.

[Liberty Belle]

101. If Nixon had been held accountable, we wouldn't had Iran Contra or the crimes Bush committed,

most likely. When presidents know there are zero consequence no matter what they do, it's what created this Frankenstein monster, Trump.

An example needs to be made of him. They maybe don't need endless investigations but find a handful of his worst offenses and prosecute him for the crimes, particularly if any involved espionage or compromising national security. The new AG should handle this.

The NY attorney general can also prosecute for state crimes including financial ones.

Absolutely no pardons should be issued for Trump nor his minions who aided him, unless someone was a minor player who turns state's evidence or redeems themselves in some major way.

As with Watergate, crimes were committed and those responsible need to pay the legal consequences. Even after Nixon resigned, the wheels of justice continued to turn until many from his administration did prison time.

[ffr]

102. What about those of us Americans harmed by the sedition and treason?

Then let the states do theirs unhindered. Laws were broken, a country was betrayed, and lives were lost.

Betrayers need to pay.

[LudwigPastorius]

106. Joe may not want his administration to be consumed by Trump investigations, but...

it will be the duty of the F.B.I. and the reconstituted Justice Department to investigate any and all allegations that will arise.
...not only for the aspect of the "moral hazard" that ignoring potential crimes would bring about, but simply because that IS THEIR JOB.

We want functioning government again, and part of that is the administration of impartial enforcement of our laws.

[FormerOstrich]

108. Investigated already...

I agree. There has already been plenty of investigation. There is no doubt enough to go to Grand Jury already. Why drag our feet.

[PatrickforO]

109. No. There are two things that absolutely need to be investigated:

1. The brutal family separation policy, for crimes against humanity and genocide.
2. Tax evasion.

[JudyM]

146. And collusion with Russia and the Saudis.

[wsbradshaw]

110. Corruption

If the Biden administration is aware of or suspects the previous administration of crimes, corruption or ethical violations and does not pursue legal action they themselves are guilty of corruption. What do we have an agreement among administration, I won't charge you and the next administration won't charge me?

[Marthe48]

111. If the r's skate again it will divide our country

into criminals and law-abiding citizens. We'll be divided into people who think they can get away with any crime up to and including murder. We'll be divided into people who flaunt the law with impunity and people who wonder why the hell they should bother defending the rule of law.

nixon was pardoned. Iran-Contra was given a pass. bush jr. was installed in the white house. Twice. Then the impeached traitor and all senate r's. and a good number odf house r's took control of the government with the help of russia and other countries. The r's right now are crossing lines between law and crime and seem to prefer being on the criminal side.

If trump and the people who enables him aren't investigated, we can all say good-bye to reliable laws and government. I'm really sick of the trend toward non-enforcement, too-big-to-fail bs. We could retire the national debt if the real criminals were brought to justice and made to pay for their crimes.

[Yeehah]

113. Unless any of them smoked marijuana....

and then we're really going after them!

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

115. I agree with Biden

Trump thrives on attention so it's best to move on.

[LiberalLovinLug]

125. You honestly think Trump sill stop seeking attention if he gets off scott free?

He will, in fact, be even more obnoxious. He will be crowing how they didn't have anything on him, or they would have charged him.....believe him. He will have no cases to deal with, no financial penalties, no personal restrictions, and so can concentrate full time on starting his own Trump Network, where he can spew all kinds of vitriol and conspiracies at President Biden and the Democrats.

[diva77]

116. How can we heal if justice is not served?

[Sin]

119. Quite right.

You need to remove the infection before a wound can heal don't just slap a band-aid on it and call it good or you will have the Gang-orange and that we have today but 10x worse tomorrow with no energy to fight it.

[Warpy]

117. Her's got a tall order, fix this broken government after 4 years of a wrecking crew

and doesn't want to get bogged down chasing the crooks who broke it.

I'm hoping his AG is rabid and that a repaired DOJ will go after them.

[maxsolomon]

120. I'm fucking wary of it too.

It's going to be moot; Trump will self-pardon. THAT will be deserving of a Supreme Court ruling.

What about a Truth and Reconciliation program? All the shit Trump actually did, out in the open.

[notinkansas]

121. "One adviser said Biden has made it clear that he "just wants to move on."

This is dangerous. It is exactly the opposite of what needs to happen - holding people accountable for their actions. Maybe Biden feels his primary goal is to become the great 'uniter'. I don't believe he can do that. Addressing the division in this country is going to take longer than one administration. It's not like Biden has to personally oversee prosecutions. If he discourages/interferes with investigations or prosecutions, he is damning the Democratic party into oblivion. Democrats did not rise up and vote in record numbers during a raging pandemic for no reason. They saw the corruption and lawlessness and grift and ineptitude and possibly even treason and decided that could not stand. To just dismiss all of that would so demoralize so many Americans - 2024 and beyond would most likely be lost.

I sincerely hope this reporting isn't the Biden plan.

[Roc2020]

123. Let the States like NY etc deal with Trump

The other goons quietly let loose the FBI on them and Biden stays above the fray.

[NoRoadUntravelled]

124. Does this mean he gets away with crimes against humanity for locking

babies in cages after kidnapping them from asylum seeking parents who carried them in their arms all the way from Central America?
And then for not being able to reunite them because the administration was so inept an so cruel that they didn't keep track of them?
He has deliberately destroyed the lives of these children, these families. This is not OK. It will never be OK.
He is a criminal of the first order.

He gets to walk away with his money after having done this? And then allowed to have the arrogant nerve to run again in 2024 or to have a member of his corrupt family run? No. No. No.

[totodeinhere]

137. George W. Bush got away with crime against humanity in the Middle East theater.

The Obama Administration thought it would be too divisive to go after him. So now are we going to see the same thing with the Biden Administration? If so i am very disappointed.

[NoRoadUntravelled]

141. And yet Republicans have no problem fabricating crimes and going after Democratic officials

with impunity.

The list is long with the Trump administration. This one has gotten away with more than other past Republican President. To allow him to walk away as though he's done nothing is admitting he is above the law after all.
Without the rule of law there is no Democracy.

[LiberalLovinLug]

128. Sad but predictable

No new Democratic President WANTS to have his presidency consumed by investigating the previous administration.

But if its the right thing to do, its the right thing to do. I don't care even if it means a one term presidency. But Democrats do, that's the problem. If there is such outrage that Democrats actually follow the law, and make criminals pay, then too bad. I really think even if that resulted in that they lost in 2024, the long term consequences of NOT doing anything are much worse.

They could still lose in 2024 BECAUSE they let it all slide. There will be no reason for them NOT to double down and cheat even more.

[totodeinhere]

136. This is exactly what I was afraid of and I think it's a mistake.

I enthusiastically supported Joe Biden during the election campaign and of course I voted for him. But I'm sorry Joe, I cannot support the idea of letting Trump slide because it's too divisive. I just can't.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

140. Obama had the same approach "to unite the country." It didn't happen.

His attempt to reach out to the Republicans had three three results:

1. Three war criminals (Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld) were not held accountable for their unprovoked attack on Iraq.
2. On Day One McConnell stated his goal was to make Obama a one term president by stopping any legislation he proposed.
3. McConnell denying Obama his constitutional right to appoint a SCOTUS justice to replace Scalia.

Since Trump is going to pardon everyone -- including himself -- the morning of January 20 while he's still president, it's best to let New York deal with Fat Donnie's crimes, and the Russia mafia take care of him for all the money he's stolen from them via unsecured loans.

I'll just wait until he dies and they toss his body into the East River while Air Force One flies overhead and empties its waste tanks.

[NoRoadUntravelled]

143. The current Republican Party cannot be mollified by Democrats looking the other way.

Over and over they work to disadvantage the American people (except for the elite) at every turn.
When Democratic leaders say, "lets move on from the past and unite the nation", Republicans consider it permission to continue what they've done before while turning up the voltage because they know they will get away with it.

Donald Trump has gotten away with homicide by his refusal to do anything about Covid19. Hundreds of thousands of us died on his watch and the numbers continue to climb because he lied and insisted it was no worse than a mild flu and his followers still believe him.

Can we really claim to be a Democratic Republic if there are, indeed, so many people who really are above the law?

[pat_k]

152. And Clinton "looked forward, not back" on H.W. Bush's obstruction of justice

Who knows how things would have played out if H.W. Bush had been held accountable? We may never have seen a G.W. Bush presidency.

On so many crimes, large and small, so-called "leaders" in the Democratic Party have refused hold anyone accountable. Often with some claim that "they fixed the system" so "it" -- whatever wrong "it" might be -- won't happen again.

Systems don't commit crimes. People do. If you don't hold criminals to account, you are perpetuating crime. Those with not respect for the law will always find a way to abuse a system to their own ends.

[pat_k]

151. Look forward, not back only perpetuates crimes.

They they had done what was right, and held H.W. Bush accountable for obstruction of justice, we would not have seen Bush I.

Obama let war criminals off the hook. When he "banned" torture, instead of prosecuting those who participated in war crimes ("banned" since 1949), he was basically saying the presidency had the power to "unban" it too. Had the nation engaged in a process of rendering judgment on war crimes and rededicated ourselves to moral imperative of respecting human rights, I doubt Trump and his contempt for human rights would have gained a foothold.

Criminals must be held accountable for their crimes.

[ucrdem]

153. He can always change his mind later.

I don't see what else he COULD say at this point without sending his fledgling administration straight down the toilet.

[pat_k]

154. Deja vu all over again

[usajumpedtheshark]

155. Sorry but not enforcing the law is why we are in such a mess. Dealbreaker as

far as I am concerned. Presidents are supposed to uphold the law. If he wants to shirk his duties then I am done with the party and will donate my money elsewhere.

[Captain Zero]

156. Fine reward him for obstructing the transition

With no prosecutions, so he will have lots of time for rallies and new tv stations to attack Biden.

[intrepidity]

157. Sure, just wallpaper over that moldy wall

Dab some paint on those rusty spots.

No, without exposing and cleaning out the underlying rot, you're not really helping anything.

Failure to investigate all of the damage Trump has done is *exactly* like that.

Incredibly foolish move that has been tried many times and failed.

[Duppers]

158. Thank you for posting this.

I'm fucking furious!

😡

[pfitz59]

163. I am disappointed with this.

If you don't clean the wound it just festers on and on and on..... He needs to clean and sanitize Government before moving on.

[Maxheader]

164. President Biden can stay on the sidelines while attorneys go after the spineless bastard.