FBI agents executed a search warrant on former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, yesterday. The raid was related to an investigation into possible mishandling of classified documents.
This raid by the FBI is a huge deal. Presidents have very much been above the law. We do not hold presidents accountable for the crimes they commit. Sure, there are a few impeachments sprinkled through history, but those are nothing more than political show trials. If a president’s political party is in control of the House of Representatives, they do not happen, no matter the strength of the evidence against them. If the president’s political party is in charge of the Senate, they are not convicted.
President Richard M. Nixon, one of the most corrupt and unethical presidents the United States has ever enjoyed, did not face impeachment for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. He resigned. Upon leaving office, Nixon’s successor, President Gerald Ford, quickly pardoned him for any crimes he committed while in office. Ford claimed he did it for the good of the country. Sure. Because when we hold dishonest, powerful men accountable for their crimes, we wilt like three-week-old lettuce.
I haven’t paid very close attention to the January 6th hearings because I didn’t see the point. Even if the hearings showed clear culpability at the hands of Trump, what good would it do? As former president, Trump will not face any legal repercussions for his illegal acts.
Looking at yesterday’s FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago, all that goes right out the window. Trump’s status as a former president will not grant him immunity from the law. I was wrong about Trump being above the law.
I’ve probably never been more happy to be wrong in my life.