Tim, it is so sad you even have to write something like this and provide the most basic of civics lessons to members of one political party in this country. Let’s not forget it was the GOP loss of faith/confidence/trust in Nixon that led to his resignation. My how things have changed in less than 50 years.
Paul Actually, after the Watergate Hearings, the House impeachment vote, the Supreme Court’s 9-0 vote on releasing the Nixon tapes, and the impending Senate impeachment trial that key Republicans went to Nixon to tell him that he only had a handful of votes in the Senate trial.
Remarkably, Nixon partially rehabilitated himself, especially in foreign years, in subsequent years.
By contrast the Trump cult seems scantily affected by indictments and other judicial rejections, as it characterizes justice as injustice.
Keith, quite right! But the point remains. Nixon lost the party in light of those events. As you point out, that has not happened today and most of the GOP are doubling down. Thank you for providing that extra and crucial piece of historical context.
I agree with all of this. As a practising criminal defense attorney I do find it ironic to now see Republicans complaining about uneven application of the laws. Our justice system is and has been, probably since its inception, dramatically skewed against those with limited resources. While I don't think Republicans are solely to blame, it is indeed rare to see Republican support for anything that might lessen the disparities between rich and poor.
Spot on Dr Snyder, as usual. I would just say that those who are protesting the loudest are probably the next ones to come under indictment. At least hopefully. He did not act alone in any of the malfeasance he has done.
This is my take as well. Republican officeholders are horrified that the principle that no one is above the law should be put in the spotlight, as it means that their own malfeasance could also be held against them some day.
Donald Trump was charged with illegal retention of government secrets, obstruction of justice, false statements and conspiracy. His arraignment is Tuesday.
Seven years is a long time to wait.
Godspeed, Special Counsel Jack Smith 😎 #AboveTheLaw no more.
Thank you for all of your thoughtful analysis on Ukraine. Your insights have been invaluable. Your "letter" to Republicans this morning expressed so cogently and compellingly all of the reasons why the public Congressional and Presidential candidate reactions to Trump's indictment were appalling and, frankly, frightening. My husband and I believe now we are so far down the rabbit hole as a country and have such moral and ethical rot as a society, we do not see how we come out of it. I realize it is a dismal view, and it comes from someone who has been an independent since the late 1970s when I started voting and generally optimistic about the trajectory of the country until the last decade. In many ways, it is so hard to believe that this has happened.
Terrific statement of the facts. I hope every elected official reads this. I am so tired and angry at the false equivalencies of so many and their clear lack of understanding of our governmental system.
I have just finished re-reading Catherine Drinker Bowen’s definitive MIRACLE AT PHILADELPHIA: THE STORY OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1787.
This convention, after a series of remarkable real-world compromises, produced what, in British Prime Minster Gladstone’s opinion, was the most remarkable functional political document ever crafted. I agree.
The delegates wrestled with many critical issues, including the role of the executive (not a king) and justice. In discussing the Constitution, James Madison wrote that, if men were angels, there would be no need for a constitution. But since men are not angels, a constitution was imperative.
The Constitution makes clear that no one is above the law. Despite the blustering by Trump and his sycophants, this includes presidents [impeachment procedure] and ex-presidents.
Trump has proclaimed that he intends to return in 2024 as ‘the warrior, justice, and retribution.’ He does not promise to uphold the Constitution and indicates an intention of pardoning those jailed for their participation in that ‘beautiful day of January 6th.’
As president Trump swore an oath to uphold the Constitution on which he subsequently reneged. He and his sycophants should be judged on their adherence to or rejection of the Constitution. Current and prospective indictments of ex-president Trump are consonant with the Constitution.
Not only is the separation of powers and "immunities" a continuing flagship of our democracy. But, it is vital that at least the federal charges get resolved before the 2024 elections. Trump will doubtlessly advocate postponing the trial(s) until after the elections. It is in our nation's vital interest to prevent any such delay. Starting now. The forest fires started by Trump ( mistrust; bigotry; falsehoods, anti- semitism etc) have polluted our air for 8 years now. Time to extinguish them-- and preclude new ones. We need to breathe.
Thank you Professor Snyder. Ignorance due to misleading information is a major problem. Being well informed is essential. We are fortunate to have citizens of superior knowledge, such as you, willing to help us understand the issues. You, and others like you, worked diligently to acquire your extensive knowledge. Thanks for sharing.
The U.S. Constitution, not the Bible, not the Koran, not the Bhagavad Gita or the Analects of Confucius, is our social contract. Our commitment to it is a transaction that we agree to as a condition of citizenship. But just having this written down does not deliver the goods. Equally important, our polity depends on the agreement and commitment of each individual to serve, to learn, to be disciplined, to never take for granted our freedoms or the rule of law, and to share the commitment to make these available to every person.
The Constitution -- our contract with our fellows -- is at risk. Our society's plumbing -- the legislative process, the judicial process, the executive process – is failing; the technology of information and communication, transformation of the media and the press seemingly overwhelm. We are barely able function in passing laws, adjudicating laws, debating our future. Our faith in the central values and beliefs of our social contract as well as those of nearly every religion is under siege -- whether it be the ten commandments of the Judeo-Christian-Muslim family, or of Buddhism, Confucianism, or other religions, though beautifully, each lends its learnings and lessons to our contract.
Too often, we assume that these values and beliefs are free. They are not; they are earned, they are taught, they are tested, and they are practiced. They are commitments to act.
And because we are the first civilization to strive to be a people of many races, many ethnicities, many religions - to strive to be all equal partners in this human family – these values and beliefs are tested on a scale unseen in human history. That is why people all over the world refer to our journey as the “American experiment.”
The greatest challenge we face now is bringing the people of America to work together effectively to protect and build on our experiment. That begins with talking with one another, learning with and from each other, building on a central focus in which to get people, young and old, engaged.
In short, America today is in dire need of an engaged populace that genuinely wants to participate in rebuilding and maintaining a free and democratic society, and that has the tools to do so. And it will require that each American practice personal accountability for delivering on that.
This personal accountability and commitment to the Constitution is the fundamental criterion for serving as a public official in any part of these United States. Mr. Snyder’s letter to Republicans brings into stark reality that indeed, we are at a crossroads.
Well said! In a time when we need our plumbing to work, it's stopped up. Education is key, and it too is struggling, and consequently will register in our future. Again well said about this experiment. We should understand what it is, what it means and how important it is to succeed, not only for us. We see starkly in the world now what the alternative is.
Thank you for sage, forthright words. Always a comfort. And thank you for explaining the nuances of Ukraine that help us to understand the hows and whys of this terrible situation.
Thank you Professor. I find myself astonished every single day by Republicans hypocrisy and cowardice.
And I wake up this morning to read your calm, forthright reason. Thank you. And thank you, by the way, for keeping us educated about Ukraine.
Tim, it is so sad you even have to write something like this and provide the most basic of civics lessons to members of one political party in this country. Let’s not forget it was the GOP loss of faith/confidence/trust in Nixon that led to his resignation. My how things have changed in less than 50 years.
Paul Actually, after the Watergate Hearings, the House impeachment vote, the Supreme Court’s 9-0 vote on releasing the Nixon tapes, and the impending Senate impeachment trial that key Republicans went to Nixon to tell him that he only had a handful of votes in the Senate trial.
Remarkably, Nixon partially rehabilitated himself, especially in foreign years, in subsequent years.
By contrast the Trump cult seems scantily affected by indictments and other judicial rejections, as it characterizes justice as injustice.
Keith, quite right! But the point remains. Nixon lost the party in light of those events. As you point out, that has not happened today and most of the GOP are doubling down. Thank you for providing that extra and crucial piece of historical context.
I agree with all of this. As a practising criminal defense attorney I do find it ironic to now see Republicans complaining about uneven application of the laws. Our justice system is and has been, probably since its inception, dramatically skewed against those with limited resources. While I don't think Republicans are solely to blame, it is indeed rare to see Republican support for anything that might lessen the disparities between rich and poor.
Spot on Dr Snyder, as usual. I would just say that those who are protesting the loudest are probably the next ones to come under indictment. At least hopefully. He did not act alone in any of the malfeasance he has done.
This is my take as well. Republican officeholders are horrified that the principle that no one is above the law should be put in the spotlight, as it means that their own malfeasance could also be held against them some day.
Donald Trump was charged with illegal retention of government secrets, obstruction of justice, false statements and conspiracy. His arraignment is Tuesday.
Seven years is a long time to wait.
Godspeed, Special Counsel Jack Smith 😎 #AboveTheLaw no more.
Thank you for all of your thoughtful analysis on Ukraine. Your insights have been invaluable. Your "letter" to Republicans this morning expressed so cogently and compellingly all of the reasons why the public Congressional and Presidential candidate reactions to Trump's indictment were appalling and, frankly, frightening. My husband and I believe now we are so far down the rabbit hole as a country and have such moral and ethical rot as a society, we do not see how we come out of it. I realize it is a dismal view, and it comes from someone who has been an independent since the late 1970s when I started voting and generally optimistic about the trajectory of the country until the last decade. In many ways, it is so hard to believe that this has happened.
Understood. We have a great deal of rethinking to do in this country, most especially in the realms of civics and ethics.
Thank you for clearly defining the rules and realities of what our country are and should remain to be.
Terrific statement of the facts. I hope every elected official reads this. I am so tired and angry at the false equivalencies of so many and their clear lack of understanding of our governmental system.
I don’t usually post things to Facebook, but I posted this one.
And I immediately posted it to Twitter and Mastodon. It needs to be everywhere.
I have just finished re-reading Catherine Drinker Bowen’s definitive MIRACLE AT PHILADELPHIA: THE STORY OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1787.
This convention, after a series of remarkable real-world compromises, produced what, in British Prime Minster Gladstone’s opinion, was the most remarkable functional political document ever crafted. I agree.
The delegates wrestled with many critical issues, including the role of the executive (not a king) and justice. In discussing the Constitution, James Madison wrote that, if men were angels, there would be no need for a constitution. But since men are not angels, a constitution was imperative.
The Constitution makes clear that no one is above the law. Despite the blustering by Trump and his sycophants, this includes presidents [impeachment procedure] and ex-presidents.
Trump has proclaimed that he intends to return in 2024 as ‘the warrior, justice, and retribution.’ He does not promise to uphold the Constitution and indicates an intention of pardoning those jailed for their participation in that ‘beautiful day of January 6th.’
As president Trump swore an oath to uphold the Constitution on which he subsequently reneged. He and his sycophants should be judged on their adherence to or rejection of the Constitution. Current and prospective indictments of ex-president Trump are consonant with the Constitution.
Point, game, match.
Not only is the separation of powers and "immunities" a continuing flagship of our democracy. But, it is vital that at least the federal charges get resolved before the 2024 elections. Trump will doubtlessly advocate postponing the trial(s) until after the elections. It is in our nation's vital interest to prevent any such delay. Starting now. The forest fires started by Trump ( mistrust; bigotry; falsehoods, anti- semitism etc) have polluted our air for 8 years now. Time to extinguish them-- and preclude new ones. We need to breathe.
AMEN !!
Thank you! Have you submitted this piece to the NYT as an opinion piece? To to the Washington Post?
I would like to read it there -- and see what Trump supporters have to say in the comments!
Thank you Professor Snyder. Ignorance due to misleading information is a major problem. Being well informed is essential. We are fortunate to have citizens of superior knowledge, such as you, willing to help us understand the issues. You, and others like you, worked diligently to acquire your extensive knowledge. Thanks for sharing.
The hypocrisy Republicans display and their loyalty to someone who goes so against traditional Republican values continues to be disturbing
That gets to me too.
The U.S. Constitution, not the Bible, not the Koran, not the Bhagavad Gita or the Analects of Confucius, is our social contract. Our commitment to it is a transaction that we agree to as a condition of citizenship. But just having this written down does not deliver the goods. Equally important, our polity depends on the agreement and commitment of each individual to serve, to learn, to be disciplined, to never take for granted our freedoms or the rule of law, and to share the commitment to make these available to every person.
The Constitution -- our contract with our fellows -- is at risk. Our society's plumbing -- the legislative process, the judicial process, the executive process – is failing; the technology of information and communication, transformation of the media and the press seemingly overwhelm. We are barely able function in passing laws, adjudicating laws, debating our future. Our faith in the central values and beliefs of our social contract as well as those of nearly every religion is under siege -- whether it be the ten commandments of the Judeo-Christian-Muslim family, or of Buddhism, Confucianism, or other religions, though beautifully, each lends its learnings and lessons to our contract.
Too often, we assume that these values and beliefs are free. They are not; they are earned, they are taught, they are tested, and they are practiced. They are commitments to act.
And because we are the first civilization to strive to be a people of many races, many ethnicities, many religions - to strive to be all equal partners in this human family – these values and beliefs are tested on a scale unseen in human history. That is why people all over the world refer to our journey as the “American experiment.”
The greatest challenge we face now is bringing the people of America to work together effectively to protect and build on our experiment. That begins with talking with one another, learning with and from each other, building on a central focus in which to get people, young and old, engaged.
In short, America today is in dire need of an engaged populace that genuinely wants to participate in rebuilding and maintaining a free and democratic society, and that has the tools to do so. And it will require that each American practice personal accountability for delivering on that.
This personal accountability and commitment to the Constitution is the fundamental criterion for serving as a public official in any part of these United States. Mr. Snyder’s letter to Republicans brings into stark reality that indeed, we are at a crossroads.
Well said! In a time when we need our plumbing to work, it's stopped up. Education is key, and it too is struggling, and consequently will register in our future. Again well said about this experiment. We should understand what it is, what it means and how important it is to succeed, not only for us. We see starkly in the world now what the alternative is.
Thank you for sage, forthright words. Always a comfort. And thank you for explaining the nuances of Ukraine that help us to understand the hows and whys of this terrible situation.