While the global pandemic’s devastating effects deservedly dominate the news cycle, none of us should ignore the Trump administration’s relentless attempts to undermine the fundamental pillar of our society: the rule of law.
Those efforts have included demonizing whistleblowers and trying to eliminate or obstruct all oversight of executive branch actions, whether by Congress or independent inspectors general.
But now a new low has been reached by Attorney General William Barr’s decision to drop all charges against the former national security advisor, Gen. Michael Flynn. Flynn pleaded guilty twice, each time before a federal judge, to lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts during the post-election transition, each time specifically acknowledging his having committed the crime he was charged with.
Only in a twisted alternative reality could Barr describe dropping these charges as somehow upholding the rule of law. Shame on the administration and its Republican enablers. Can our republic really withstand four more years of this?
Ira Rubinfeld, Salt Lake City