CNN claimed in an article about the recent indictment of former President Donald Trump that the charges could be considered "personal" by President Joe Biden. This is because Biden previously compared Trump's rhetoric to "sedition." Despite these being the grounds for his second impeachment, it is essential to note that Trump was not charged with sedition or any related crimes.
JUST IN: Legal Expert Reveals How Trump Indictment Could Backfire On Bidenhttps://t.co/IrOkGrKzMB
— 🇺🇸🇺🇸Josh Dunlap🇺🇲🇺🇲 ULTRA-MAGA (@JDunlap1974) August 7, 2023
A constitutional law scholar and legal analyst, Jonathan Turley, discussed the implications of Trump's indictment of Biden. Turley argued that the charges against Trump, which are based on misinformation, could be used against Biden in the future, especially in the context of a House impeachment investigation. This is due to the fact that the indictment against Trump is based on the notion that he knowingly disseminated false information about the 2020 election, which is a violation of the First Amendment. Turley cautioned that criminalising disinformation in this manner could endow the Justice Department with unprecedented authority.
Turley argued that the same controversial criterion applied to Trump could also be applied to Biden. He cited instances in which Biden has been accused of knowingly disregarding constitutional restrictions, such as renewing a national eviction moratorium despite being informed that it would be unconstitutional. Turley also mentioned the expanding corruption scandal involving Biden's son, Hunter Biden, and argued that the standard of guilt by implication or association could be hazardous for Biden.
The accusations levelled against Biden in relation to the corruption scandal involving his son are significantly more grave. There is evidence that Biden has deceived to the public about crucial details of the scandal and denied involvement in Hunter's international business transactions. Since then, it has come to light that Biden's protestations were false and that his son did receive money from China. Nonetheless, Biden has authorised his staff to reiterate his denials while opposing further investigation.
The prospective legal standard that special counsel Smith could apply to Trump could also be applied to Biden. If deliberate lying is deemed a criminal offence in Trump's case, it could also lead to an impeachment investigation in Biden's case. This makes the situation extremely personal for Biden and raises concerns about his candour and potential legal consequences.
Evidently, the charges against Trump and the ongoing corruption controversy involving Biden have significant repercussions for both former and current presidents. The legal standards applied to Trump could also be applied to Biden, creating a situation that is concerning for the current administration.