January 6 Riot Was ‘Fueled by Lies’ From Trump, Special Counsel Says

Sarah’s Isgur's View:  Trump lied to the American people repeatedly about the results of the 2020 election. 

Donald J. Trump was charged with four counts in connection with his efforts to subvert the will of voters in 2020.

Trump pressured elected officials to do things that would have been good for him politically and bad for the country. He allowed a mob to overtake the Capitol while he lobbied senators for their votes, and he considered replacing his attorney general with an incompetent toady who would support his political whims. But none of that is criminal if Trump believed the election was riddled with fraud. A lot of it isn’t criminal even if he didn’t believe it. I wish this indictment had narrowed its focus, homing in only on the conduct that fell clearly on the criminal side of the line and not included the parts that simply inspire outrage (of which there is plenty).

I think the Florida case warranted charges and is a strong case. 

And, I think the American people can understand the charges and accept the results—even in an election year. This thing, though, is a whole different kettle of fish. I don’t believe it was politically motivated or is the result of political corruption at the Department. Quite the opposite. I think it’s the result of career prosecutors not thinking about the politics at all.

David French ended his most recent column by saying “Smith has brought a difficult case. But it’s a necessary case ... This is the trial America needs.” At a time when so many Americans are questioning the legitimacy of our institutions and believe that our laws can be wielded by their enemies for political advantage, I can only agree with the first sentence. A trial relying on vague laws to prosecute a presidential candidate who may well have believed the lies that assured him that he wasn’t a loser is the last thing this country needs.

In the end, though, it’ll be up to 12 Americans who have sworn to be fair and impartial. And that’s the most American thing of all.