By Rajan Laad
The reaction to President Trump’s unprecedented accusation was predictable.
Many of Trump’s opponents responded with unbridled glee.
Former FBI Director James Comey responded with joy to the news.
Yes, this is the former head of the most important law enforcement agency in the United States
What a drop in standards!
Now that the decline in standards has been noted, we examine a Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s tweet.
Pelosi argued that the Grand Jury acted on the facts and the law.
So let’s look at the facts first.
President Trump has denied having an affair with Stormi Daniels. In a 2018 letter that recently surfaced. Daniel also denied that the affair ever took place, despite public claims to the contrary.
Another 2018 letter proves that neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign were party to the deal. Also, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen not reimbursed for payment By any organizations associated with Trump.
Since the transaction did not take place at Trump’s behest, the case has no merit.
Even if Trump ordered Cohen to make the payments, and the Trump Organization reimbursed him for the money paid to Daniels, but counted them as legal fees, that would be a misdemeanor for which the statute of limitations has expired.
Back to Pelosi’s tweet. Pelosi wrote:
“No one is above the law and everyone has the right to a trial to prove their innocence.”
This is nothing short of a shocking statement, especially from a lawmaker with decades of experience. The presumption of innocence is a standard in any civilized democracy. A person accused of any crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The legal burden of proof is on the prosecution, who must present facially convincing evidence to a judge or jury. The prosecution must prove that the accused is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If the reasonable suspicion remains, then the accused must be acquitted.
The presumption of innocence is also an international human right under Article 11 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This is the US legal standard
Let’s see what exactly the law says.
“It is a fundamental principle of our justice system that every person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The assumption is not a mere formality. It is a question of the most important material.
The presumption of innocence alone can be sufficient to raise reasonable doubt and require the acquittal of the accused. The defendant before you, [__________]has the benefit of that presumption throughout the trial and you must not convict
[him/her] with some charge if you are not persuaded [his/her] guilt of that charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty means that the burden of proof is always on the government to satisfy you that [defendant] guilty of the offense of which [he/she] charged beyond reasonable doubt. The law does not require the government to prove its guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. proof beyond a reasonable doubt is sufficient to convict. This burden never goes away [defendant]. It is always the government’s burden to prove each element of the crime[s] supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt and reasonable inferences drawn from that evidence. [Defendant] is entitled to rely on the government’s failure or inability to establish beyond a reasonable doubt any essential element of the crime charged; [him/her].
If, after a fair and impartial examination of all the evidence, you have a reasonable doubt [defendant]guilty of a specific crime, it is your responsibility to justify [him/her] from that crime. On the other hand, if after a fair and impartial examination of all the evidence you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt [defendant]guilty of a specific crime, you must vote to convict [him/her]”.
It is unlikely that Pelosi is unaware of US legal standards, perhaps her sense. schadenfreude: beat him to it, or maybe this is a warning to others who support MAGA’s agenda. Pelosi knows that such claims will draw no condemnation in DC because the target is President Trump.
Fortunately, Elon Musk’s Twitter noted Pelosi’s tweet and posted its context in the community posts feature.
So are there countries where the accused is guilty until proven innocent?
They are mostly third world countries or theocratic or military dictatorships where the force of law is used to target opponents and dissidents. Regardless of what their constitution said, dissenters were considered guilty until proven innocent.
This is how the law worked in Stalin’s Russia, Nazi Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, Franco’s Spain, etc.
President Trump isn’t the only one getting this treatment. January 6th Protesters held at the District of Columbia Jail complained of inhumane conditions. The constant delays and adjournments of the hearing, which dragged on for more than a year, left one of the accused so traumatized that he committed suicide.
This remains the purpose of the exercise to make the process a punishment.
To drag out the trial and drain the accused of all their resources and spirit. The ever-shameful reputation. To make the accused feel worse than the worst criminals in the US
They know these stories spread like wildfire, and most people looking for a peaceful life for themselves and their families choose to refrain from challenging Democrats simply to avoid trouble.
Undoubtedly, many citizens must refrain from showing any overt support for the MAGA cause for fear of persecution by the Democrats.
It’s a victory for those like Pelosi who want to turn the US into a third-world dictatorship, where state institutions like law enforcement and the judiciary are used to target opponents and outlaw political opposition.
Their goal is to have a one-party state.
Yes, there will be Republicans and Democrats who disagree on minor issues, but there is complete consensus on all major issues of consequence.
The ball is now in the court of the Republicans and the entire nation.
In perilous times there is no greater sin than inaction.