Top Democrats shy away from using word 'treason' with Trump

[DonViejo]

By LAURIE KELLMAN
Today

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are happy to say President Donald Trump undermined American democracy. That he patted Vladimir Putin on the back for interfering in U.S. elections. That he’s being blackmailed by Russia.

But that he committed treason? That’s too far for some leading Democrats worried about sending the wrong message during an election year.

“The bottom line is, different people will characterize it differently,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told reporters this week of Trump’s conduct toward Russia. He slammed Trump in every way but that one, accusing him of weakness and lame and contradictory walk backs. “President Trump undercut our intelligence, elevated a brutal dictator who’s taking advantage of the United States. And maybe, most importantly, refused to confront President Putin.”

A debate has raged in Democratic circles this week over how strongly to condemn Trump’s comments in Helsinki, where, standing by Putin’s side, the U.S. president refused to say he believed American intelligence over Putin’s denials about Russian election interference. Trump later sought to walk back his stance, saying he misspoke using a double negative.

There was a burst of condemnation in the 48 hours after Trump’s performance that elevated the discussion of “treason” by a president to a level not seen in generations. Former CIA Director John Brennan, who has worked in both Democratic and Republican administrations, quickly tweeted that Trump’s conduct in Helsinki was “nothing short of treasonous.” Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., used #TreasonSummit in her post about the meeting. Protesters gathered in front of the White House on Tuesday chanted, “Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!”

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[katmondoo]

1. It is Treason, Face IT

[el_bryanto]

2. I know this won't make me popular - but I can see why they wouldn't. Treason is a crime

with a proscribed penalty. From 18 U.S. Code § 2381

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

So there is a bit of difficulty in calling for a political rival, even one as odious as Trump a traitor.

Bryant

[whathehell]

5. Maybe Espionage

It's the crime the Rosenbergs were executed for in the 50's.

[el_bryanto]

8. Nods - but do you think that was the right decision?

I personally don't; certainly not for Ethel, but even for Julius I am uncomfortable with executing people, even those who have done really bad things.

Bryant

[whathehell]

15. It was at the height of the Cold War..

It was before my time, but I read a book about it as an adult. It seemed that they (or at least Julius) was guilty, but I feel more like you regarding the execution. In retrospect, I'd favor life sentences.

[GeorgeGist]

10. You don't believe in justice ...

For All?

[el_bryanto]

14. Good takeaway

Yep - i don't believe in Justice - and if we have to have Justice it should only be applied against the vulnerable. That's exactly what I meant.

Bryant

[tonyt53]

12. I agree with your assessment. BUT bribery might be the crime. There is a money trail to Moscow.

[el_bryanto]

16. I agree with this; and I do hope we get the house and senate so that we can

investigate more thoroughly.

Bryant

[triron]

19. Nope. That's what he is.

[empedocles]

3. Politicaly savvy to carefully build the case first

Just as Mueller is doing. Mueller has well known he has conspiracy/obstruction cases on 'all fours' as lawyers say since mid 2017. No way will Mueller shoot it all out there prematurely. Keep building and building the case, [fortunately with trumps clumsy help], - timing is very important, [from a large number of angles].

[NewJeffCT]

9. Republicans have controlled Congress for most of the last 25 years

either one house or both, by grasping at every little conspiracy theory out there.

It wasn't just Obama/Clinton with 8 Benghazi investigations, Solyndra, Fast & Furious, IRS-Gate, etc - it was also 6 investigations into Vince Foster's death, an investigation into Socks the Cat, an endless Whitewater investigation, investigating where Clinton intentionally damaged the White House when they turned it over to Bush, etc.

In 2010, Republicans picked up 60 seats in Congress by running on nothing more than hatred of Obama and Obamacare.

Getting the base riled up to get out and vote has worked for Republicans - the GOP plays to their base and says F--- the moderates in the middle. Meanwhile, Democrats are told by the media that they must play for moderate/centrist votes and Democrats crap on their base much of the time and comply with the media and run towards the center, and their base loses enthusiasm.

[Thrill]

4. That's their problem. Want to play nice.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

6. They can call it a betrayal...... But they probably won't. nt

[bdamomma]

7. hey we are not running for office

Let's call it like it is TREASON.

It's in the Constitution.

[dalton99a]

11. Donald Trump is a Russian puppet and a traitor to the United States.

[lagomorph777]

13. C'mon people! It's so frustrating to see our Dems acting so weaselly. This is treason.

Clear as day. There will be no penalty for honesty (among the non-Despicables). Call a traitor a traitor.

[AlexSFCA]

17. it exceeds the threshold for treason under US Code

trump hit a trifecta: collusion, conspiracy and treason.

[kacekwl]

18. Big mistake in my opinion. Make the republicans have

to defend him and themselves every time . It worked with crooked Hillary with Obama is a Kenyan etc.