GOP Challenger Bill Weld: 'The Only Penalty for Treason is Death'

[left-of-center2012]

Former Massachusetts governor and 2020 Republican challenger Bill Weld said on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Monday that the only penalty for what he says President Trump is guilty of is death. And the MSNBC hosts were fine with that.

“Talk about pressuring a foreign country to interfere with and control a U.S. election, it couldn’t be clearer. And that’s not just undermining democratic institutions, that is treason. It’s treason, pure and simple. And the penalty for treason under the U.S. code is death. That’s the only penalty,” said Weld. “The penalty under the Constitution is removal from office and that might look like a pretty good alternative to the president if he can work out a plea deal.”

“Well, the legal framework is under the U.S. criminal code. The only penalty for treason is death. It spelled out in the statute. Under the Constitution, as you know, grounds for removal from office, impeachment, and removal from any federal office, are treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors,” said Weld. “We don’t have to worry about bribery anymore, although I think he’s committed that, we don’t have to worry about other high crimes and misdemeanors, although I think he committed many. He’s such a lawless man.”

“We’ve got treason. And we don’t have to dribble around the court. We can go right for the hoop,” he continued. “It’s well past time for this guy, in my opinion, to be carted off to save us all. He’s daring us all to let him be totally lawless.”

https://www.mediaite.com/news/trump-challenger-bill-weld-on-ukraine-call-that-is-treason-and-the-punishment-for-treason-is-death/

[dawg day]

1. Let's not go that way.

He's an old man. Impeachment and/or utter defeat at the polls, and his name synonymous of treason destroying his family forever... that's would be plenty.

[Ohiogal]

2. Weld better be careful

They're going to put a hit out on him if he keeps this up.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. As opposed to the death penalty as I am, sometimes I still do dream of...

finding a working guillotine somewhere.

[HelpImSurrounded]

4. YOU GO BILL!

Tear the GOP in half! Split that party!!

[stopdiggin]

5. well now THERE'S a "talking point" for ya'!

(and obviously ONLY a talking point)

[rsdsharp]

6. He's wrong. Death is one alternate penalty.

Five years in prison and a fine of not less than $10,000 is the other.

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.

18 U.S. Code §2381

[onenote]

7. His actions vis a vis the Ukraine don't amount to Treason. And death isn't the only penalty.

28 USC 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."

[meow2u3]

8. Bill Weld is mistaken

18 U.S. Code § 2381. Treason

U.S. Code
Notes

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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.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2381