“LOCK HIM UP!”

This is the piece. https://t.co/sdSU5BoHpl

— Schooley (@Rschooley) June 5, 2023

Because this time, it’s different!

(And I’m not sure the “petty crimes v. mob bosses” argument is the distinction some might think it is.)

It’s worth noting that Trump is 76. So jail time in four different cases probably will be a combined life sentence.

The argument at the link is not a very good one, but the bottom line (and here goes the “petty crime is one thing, but mob bosses!” argument) is the question of justice. That’s the issue of any critique of sentencing and prison, reform and deterrence. (And an example of the flaw in the opinion piece: “Deterrence” for a former president is impeachment, removal from office, and banning from the office for life. Except in the history of the country we’ve had four presidential impeachments, and no President ever removed from office, much less banned for life. We’ve had far more criminal convictions. Which is more likely to be a deterrent?)

Is the goal of the Justice system deterrence? Punishment? Reform? 

The same questions apply to the mob boss, the petty criminal, or the former POTUS who might have violated the Espionage Act, been a party to seditious conspiracy, or crossed the Georgia RICO Act.