Refute GOP Extremist Rhetoric, the DOJ Indictment is Not a Witch Hunt

In the interest of public safety, I am urging you to use every platform available to reinforce the facts and combat the extremist GOP rhetoric regarding the recent D.O.J. indictment of Donald Trump. It is incumbent upon all of us to reiterate the words of Special Counsel Jack Smith, “We have one set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone. Applying those laws, collecting facts, that’s what determines the outcome of an investigation. Nothing more, nothing less. (Laws safeguarding national defense information are) critical to the safety and security of the United States (and that violations of these laws) put our country at risk.” Not to mention the risk to those who serve our country in the armed forces and special services every day, this is not a witch hunt, and Biden did not authorize Trump’s indictment. 1. A grand jury in Florida voted that Trump should be indicted. 2. Trump stole classified documents. He was not authorized to take these documents. He was personally involved in packing the cardboard boxes. There are text messages that document his oversight of the packing. 3. Trump stored highly classified documents in cardboard boxes at Mar-a-Lago, which was not an authorized location for such documents. 4. He stored them in public places, including a ballroom, bathroom, shower, and storage room. There are pictures of the boxes in these locations. 5. These documents contain information on nuclear programs, potential vulnerabilities to a military attack, and the defense and weapons capabilities of the United States and foreign countries. 6. If disclosed, this information could risk the national security of the United States and other countries. The boxes were stacked in public locations at Mar-a-Lago, and many foreign nationals visited the property during the time the boxes were there. 7. On two occasions, he showed people plans and told individuals the information was classified and secret. These occasions are well documented. 8. The grand jury subpoenaed Trump to turn over all classified documents. Trump attempted to obstruct the investigation. He told his lawyers to lie and say he had no documents. He suggested his lawyer hide or destroy documents. He also directed his aide, Waltine Nauta, to move boxes to conceal them. What is truly unprecedented is not that an ex-President is being indicted but that an ex-President would steal highly classified documents that could put the United States and its allies at risk. The GOP wants to fuel the fires of civil unrest with lies and false narratives. Our safety is at risk. We need to end their extremist rhetoric and fight back with the truth. (Sources: Jack Smith, David Pepper, Heather Cox Richardson)