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innovation-hacking2

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[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case", ">\n\nwhile he’s running out the clock on everyone who attempted a coup" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case", ">\n\nwhile he’s running out the clock on everyone who attempted a coup", ">\n\nWelcome to the shit show that will be the next 2 years.\nLet us pray that Biden won't run again so if he wins we won't have to hear about this for 6 years" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case", ">\n\nwhile he’s running out the clock on everyone who attempted a coup", ">\n\nWelcome to the shit show that will be the next 2 years.\nLet us pray that Biden won't run again so if he wins we won't have to hear about this for 6 years", ">\n\nGood. If he did something wrong then hold him account. It’s not about “Oh it’s Team Blue now so different rules,” it’s about the law. Both sides need accountability" ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case", ">\n\nwhile he’s running out the clock on everyone who attempted a coup", ">\n\nWelcome to the shit show that will be the next 2 years.\nLet us pray that Biden won't run again so if he wins we won't have to hear about this for 6 years", ">\n\nGood. If he did something wrong then hold him account. It’s not about “Oh it’s Team Blue now so different rules,” it’s about the law. Both sides need accountability", ">\n\nIt’s only fair." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case", ">\n\nwhile he’s running out the clock on everyone who attempted a coup", ">\n\nWelcome to the shit show that will be the next 2 years.\nLet us pray that Biden won't run again so if he wins we won't have to hear about this for 6 years", ">\n\nGood. If he did something wrong then hold him account. It’s not about “Oh it’s Team Blue now so different rules,” it’s about the law. Both sides need accountability", ">\n\nIt’s only fair.", ">\n\nImagine Garland presses charges on Biden but not Trump." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case", ">\n\nwhile he’s running out the clock on everyone who attempted a coup", ">\n\nWelcome to the shit show that will be the next 2 years.\nLet us pray that Biden won't run again so if he wins we won't have to hear about this for 6 years", ">\n\nGood. If he did something wrong then hold him account. It’s not about “Oh it’s Team Blue now so different rules,” it’s about the law. Both sides need accountability", ">\n\nIt’s only fair.", ">\n\nImagine Garland presses charges on Biden but not Trump.", ">\n\nGood! It’ll show nonpartiality and further expose Republicans by giving them what they ask for." ]

[ "Do a complete investigation, gather the evidence, follow all procedures and the law, seek justice without fear or favor no matter who is involved. Figure this mess out.", ">\n\nFully agree - and I'd actually like the investigation to be concluded swiftly since the ones being investigated will likely be 100% cooperative. It's not like DoJ will have to be dealing with full on liars and criminals which takes forever to find the answers.", ">\n\nI 100% agree that there ought to be a reasonable investigation into this but I do have to wonder if any of this matters at all given that Biden is currently the president and therefore has not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\nNot trying to make excuses for the oversight (or lack thereof) of classified documents, but it seems to me as though this requires an investigation into how classified documents are handled during and after individuals have been given such status and after said status has lapsed.\nLet's be perfectly honest, if they had taken different actions on the first set of documents, we likely wouldn't even know about this because there was nobody searching for them.\nHad Biden and his lawyers actually been seriously corrupt, they could easily have disposed of them in a fireplace or down a toilet and no one would know the better.\nThe fact that they brought this directly to the attention of the proper authorities is at least proof that they do have respect for the rule of law and are willing to except the consequences, even if it is going to be used to make political hay while the sun shines.\nThat said, this likely has huge implications for executive privilege, especially to the extent that the former president argued he had. I personally do not have a problem with the minister of th Office of the President being able to be held accountable for their actions but only if it is equally applied across the board and not just something that we will have to deal with when presidents from the Democratic party are being scrutinized.", ">\n\n\nhas not only the right to have classified information but also the ability to declassify that information.\n\nHe does. But apparently these docs were from his Vice Presidency under Obama. So, it's a bit uncertain.\nAnd it really undermines at least one of the central charges you could have lodged against Trump, that everyone that is able to access classified documents has a substantive responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The \"oh, well, we had to leave in a hurry and things just got mixed up\" arguments Trump could have made before would have had little merit - especially when you consider previous historic cases where even a single doc mishandled ended up with someone in jail.\nBut now Trump will be able to dilute that charge completely. He's still fucked on obstruction and everything else (hopefully).", ">\n\nClassified != Compartmentalized, Top Secret, etc.", ">\n\nI agree with you, but I was recently informed that sources say some of these classified documents were classified Top Secret.\nIt does appear as though ABC is confirming that sources are saying that some of these were top secret documents.\n\nSources also told ABC News that the original batch of about 10 documents found in November contains classified vice-presidential briefing papers about foreign countries, some of which were marked top secret.\n\nAnd CNN is not even using the journalistic term source, going so far as to assert that some of these documents were top secret.\n\nSome of the classified documents were “top secret,” the highest level. They were found in three or four boxes that also contained unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act, CNN has reported.\n\nIf we are going to maintain Integrity about the treatment of top secret classified documents, it is important to hold both sides accountable for their retention of documents.\nThank goodness that Biden's lawyers were up front with the FBI and NARA rather than lying about the retention of documents and obstructing an investigation.\nI really hope that Biden doesn't try to use the executive privilege argument to keep himself from investigation, but this is likely going to be a permanent stain on his reputation and definitely opens up the presidential field in the Democratic Party for 2024.", ">\n\nWhy would this be a permanent stain on Biden’s reputation?", ">\n\nBecause it will 100% be used along with whataboutism to suggest that Biden was going after Trump for the same thing that he was caught doing, regardless of the fact that Biden was not responsible for the investigation into Trump's documents has not been outspoken about the retention of documents, subsequent Lies by his lawyers, and obstruction.\nI'm not saying that it is going to be fair, or even rational but it is going to cause a stain and that will be used to pillory him.", ">\n\nSo in essence, this is only going to be a stain in the minds of people who are rather brainless to begin with….gotcha", ">\n\nIts a stain because it's political ammunition for the other side, not because you or I see it for the opportunitistically timed political assault that it seems to be. In modern politics, being on the defensive is the same as losing. Hillary Clinton's email fiasco likely contributed to the 2016 election results even though she wasn't indicted for a crime.\nThe people on the other side of the political spectrum who would consider this whole fiasco a stain on Biden AREN'T brainless, they're heavily propogandized, and they DO vote. This whole thing will be used to justify any or all of Trump's conduct that should be immediately disqualifying. Expect this to be split-screened with all of Trump's legal woes.\nHopefully Trump won't make it to the 2024 Election season as a viable candidate. If Trump does make it, Trump will use this against Biden. If Trump loses out to someone like DeSantis, there will be a concerted effort to crucify Biden with it.", ">\n\nMy favorite part of this:\nNo raging tweets from the president making up executive powers. Accusing people of planting evidence and arguing about a deep state conspiracy against him.", ">\n\nI’d be hilarious if he copy pasted one of trumps tweets and ended it with JK I’m not a raving lunatic in a middle of a tantrum.", ">\n\nThat would be some great dark Brandon shit.", ">\n\nI am all for a special counsel being appointed. But a Trump appointee feels like an attempt by Garland to bend over backwards to show just how apolitical he is. If he wanted to reach across the aisle, he couldn’t find a Bush appointee rather than someone appointed by a man who literally tried to upend the Republic and is known for appointing partisan hacks?", ">\n\nThis is how Garland has been acting since appointed. It’s like he’s so terrified of being perceived as biased against repubs that he instead acts biased against dems. He has truly been a failure at AG.. even more of a letdown than Mueller", ">\n\nWell, Garland is a conservative….. people think that he must be left wing because Obama nominated him for SCOTUS. NOPE! - he’s right wing and Obama was throwing the GOP a bone. The GOP just hated Obama so fucking much they slapped down a nominee that aligned with them.", ">\n\nTrue, Biden should have appointed someone else", ">\n\nOnly took a year and a half to appoint one for Trump. Also what about that DOJ policy about not investigating and prosecuting a sitting president which protected the former guy for, what, six years now?", ">\n\nGarland is not our friend.", ">\n\nWho’s friend, exactly? What does friendship have to do with accountability to rules and laws?\nAre you suggesting the DOJ should be aligned and friendly with one particular party or another and so they don’t have to follow rules and laws we expect others to comply with?", ">\n\nGarland is not a friend to justice.\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet? What's the confusion?", ">\n\n\nWhy has Trump not been indicted yet?\n\nwhy would you expect him to have been? the investigation isn't over yet", ">\n\nit explains why they weren't indicted in the article", ">\n\nSome anonymous lawyer being quoted by CNN is not a definitive explanation at all. It's hearsay and well-meaning bullshit. But when the DOJ was asked? \"A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment.\" But if you do believe that anonymous source, do you really think they have executive privilege, as your source says? How TF do \"advisors\" get privilege?", ">\n\nthey worked in the White House", ">\n\nBad enough that everyone bought that crap, \"The president is immune to criminal prosecution and subpoenas.\" But now we're going to extend it to anyone who worked in the White House?! Holy cow you can't possibly believe that's a good idea.", ">\n\nAs. We. Would. Expect. 🤷‍♂️ \nCan't wait until Biden whines, makes excuses, tries to get a special master, claims that they where declassifi...... Oh wait. Dems don't do any of that.", ">\n\nIt doesn’t even matter cause republicans don’t care about mishandling classified document- oh wait…now they do.", ">\n\nAs a Democrat I am pretty pissed off at Biden for this, but I would be willing to bet he didn't know the documents were there. \nThat said, I am a strong believer in people being punished for breaking the law, even if they are on my \"team.\"\nIf he broke the law, punish him. \nJust make sure that that miserable, racist orange thing that yells all the time gets his as well.\nThis is the only way to have nice things.", ">\n\nBiden isn't asking for a special grand master or looking for a favorable court... weird.", ">\n\nLove how it took 2 years to do this for trump, and he ain't even president, 2 days for Biden and he is president. \nTo be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be an investigation, I'm saying Garland is showing his true colors pretty strongly with the disparity.\nEdit: I'm muting this thread, not trying to get banned for cussing some fool out again. Have a good night y'all.", ">\n\nThe difference will always be that most democrats are just fine with an investigation. Because they care about good governance instead of personality cults.", ">\n\nYeah, it's like Goofus and Gallant. Except Goofus wins every other election and beats your head in with a bat.", ">\n\nWeird how Garland can move with lightning speed when it’s a cover-your-ass political move. Lightning speed.", ">\n\nFucking ridiculous the kid-gloves treatment that Trump gets.", ">\n\nI feel like Trump is about to get his shit kicked in here by Jack Smith in about a month or so when the indictments start coming", ">\n\nI feel like someone has said this every month for the last 6 years. The point is, Trump is untouchable. His angry mob would never succeed in overthrowing the government, but they would likely affect quarterly profits.", ">\n\nThis right here. Gotta keep the wolves fed or they might bite you. \nDomestic Terrorism discourages commerce. They’re fucking cowards.", ">\n\nHow's that Trump indictment coming?", ">\n\nThis is all I'm concerned about. Biden's situation I'm sure will work itself out, but Trump has most certainly committed crimes well beyond and before simply having classified documents. I'm not even saying Biden hasn't broken the law, and he should be dealt with accordingly, but Trump has been a national security hazard and criminal since long before classified documents were found and obstruction was clearly committed to shield them, and this Biden situation should, in no way, get in the way of that case, which seems long overdue.", ">\n\nWeird. I thought the DOJ didn’t want to investigate presidents.", ">\n\nWeird, I recall the DOJ investigating Trump while he was president. And Clinton.", ">\n\nI'm not confused about it. There's no policy against investigating presidents, which is why the numerous investigations into recent sitting presidents happened and were not against any policy. There is a policy against indicting them, though that's not legally binding in any way, just a stated approach that the Justice dept. has outlined in the past.", ">\n\nThe difference between Republicans and Dems is on display again. \nNo cults, no obstructing. Let the legal system do its thing.", ">\n\nSo... he can move fast??", ">\n\nThis proves that Garland is exquisitely sensitive to (Republican) public opinion, which proves to me that he will never indict Trump.", ">\n\nHe has stated many times that no person is above the law. This proves that he's practices what he preaches.", ">\n\nDoes it though? He holds D’s to the rule of law, but drags his feet with R’s.. all to try to seem impartial. He is not holding everyone to the same standard.", ">\n\nthis is a good move despite what wackos in this sub will say. the alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \nwith this special counsel it will at least be an actual legitimate investigation that will in all likelihood tamper the political effects for biden, as well as create a more legitimate nonpartisan line between this and the trump situation. it won't matter for republicans anyway, but the appearance of impropriety is good!\nobviously there's some hiccup in whatever processes for classified documents there are if they can be mixed in with other documents, put in places they aren't supposed to be, forgotten about, etc. and perhaps that can come to light as a result of both of these investigations and those processes can be revised to address these issues, whether intentionally mishandled or mishandled due to ignorance/an accident.", ">\n\n\nthe alternative would be jim jordan and the house intelligence committee running crazy conspiracy theories over this investigation. \n\ni don't think is an \"either or\" kind of situation. you'll still get jim's hot take of the day once they set up the committee.", ">\n\nsure but as far as document requests and the like it could make it more complicated for the house to go as apeshit as they would otherwise", ">\n\nNo it won't. Because they are not grounded in reality. Just watch.", ">\n\ni mean the law still exists lol", ">\n\nDoes it, though?", ">\n\nyes\ndo you think jim jordan can just walk over to DOJ and grab a bunch of documents and tell the DOJ to fuck off?", ">\n\nNo. But he can tell the House to fuck off when they subpoena him. And that subpoena is referred to the DOJ for enforcement, Merrick Garland can sit on it for weeks and then eventually decline to prosecute. Just like it happened with Meadows.", ">\n\nSure, sounds reasonable. Seems pretty likely somebody committed a crime. \nRemind me again why Garland took 20 extra months to take action when a Republican had documents like this?", ">\n\nMerrick Garland took two years to appoint a special counsel to Trump but he took 1 week to appoint a special counsel to Biden. Is he trying to please the Republican house or someone powerful is really trying hard that Biden don't run again. What an idiotic decision. He is giving fuel to republicans. Any normal person would understand that Biden administration is co-operating with the appropriate authority to resolve this matter. I am so disappointed at Merrick Garland.", ">\n\nSo the day after trump announced he was running he appointed a special counsel. The day after Biden (presumptive candidate) is being investigated, appoint a special counsel.... seems consistent.", ">\n\nI understand the frustration, however, what's the alternative choice? \nDemocrats should let immoral and unethical actions of their members? \nDoesn't it sound ridiculous to suggest being lawful and ethical is losing?\nWhat the democrats need to do is clean up their dependence on big donor moneys by making significant changes to the laws surrounding political campaigns. \nWhen Republican's don't vote for campaign reform, they should be examined carefully by journalists, then shamed for any corruption, and arrested for any crimes.", ">\n\nI like this comment; there is a core of truth and clearheaded observation within that would likely solve most things political, if we can just convince the first national politician to unlatch from the corporate money tit. Someone has to be the wind-dummy, the maverick, and it would certainly be someone with enough independent wealth to tell the corporations and lobbyists to kick rocks. Hell, if even the congressional leadership adopted this tactic, media pressure would steer the others. \nSounds very cool. Who’s first?", ">\n\nI don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this. Obama declassified all of these documents on his last day in office. He didn't tell anyone, but since he thought it, they are declassified. You can't prove me wrong.", ">\n\nA complete outrage. It took Garland nearly TWO YEARS of begging Trump pretty please for his documents back AND a warrant before a Special Prosecutor could be assigned on Trump, but within two months, he’s out front and center appointing one on Biden? Fuck all Garland apologists.", ">\n\nBefore Trump announced his candidacy for 2024, Garland didn't need a special counsel. He could investigate him directly.", ">\n\n“Could”", ">\n\nwhy are you using quotes? he was and is currently being investigated lol", ">\n\nOh yeah two years and the Georgia election officials weren’t even subpoenaed until last north by Jack Smith. Tell me more of this mythical investigation you think Garland was doing.", ">\n\nso you think there was no investigation?", ">\n\nSure, as slow walked and as toothless as it could be", ">\n\nit's not finished lol", ">\n\nGArlANd NEedS MoRE TiME tO bUiLd A cASE", ">\n\nand what exactly are your qualifications for investigating and prosecuting someone in federal court for a potential violation of the espionage act/obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nTrump and Biden should both be investigated for illegally having classified documents, the more serious crimes are the lying and obstruction of justice. If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar that’s a “crime” but if you confess to you parents it’s not as bad as if you’re parents catch you and confront you and you lie and try to blame someone else or say they have no authority over cookies and tell them to f-off. Your parents won’t be happy about either situation but one is clearly exponentially worse.", ">\n\nI'm guessing that's the end for Biden re-election dreams. Thank God. Hopefully dems find someone willing to run in 24 that isn't kamala Harris.", ">\n\nI voted for Biden and I’m fine with this.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nWonder if anyone will remember either of these cases in 2024", ">\n\nIt won't matter once the investigation concludes Biden didn't do anything criminal and everyone moves on to something else.\nWe were assured Afghanistan would put Republicans right back into power and that didn't happen. This will be no different.", ">\n\nSounds good. And if actual malicious intent is found, prosecute anybody involved. \nY'know, malicious intent like refusing to return the documents, altering some by hand, letting some of them go missing, lying about how many they have, and not cooperating with the DOJ.", ">\n\nThis is a great opportunity to show what cooperating with an investigation looks like so we can make direct comparisons to the orange shitgibbon and his posse of clown lawyers.", ">\n\nTo what end? You can't squeeze juice out of a rock, not even with a most special counsel. The GOP is not a party of reason. Just like HRC going before their Benghazi committee for 6 hours...did that stop them? Heck no!", ">\n\nThe public has such a false and skewed notion of \"fair and non partisan\" that moves like this are largely pointless. If the evidence is convincing, it doesnt fucking matter how you launch a trial.", ">\n\nSo Trump took almost two years to investigate and Biden takes a couple days. Is Garland a Republican by any chance?", ">\n\nJFC - I came here to say this.", ">\n\nGod it’s only the second week of 2023 and I’m already burned out", ">\n\nWell that was fast wtf are they doing about Trump?", ">\n\nWell that was fast!", ">\n\nCool there should be. Wish someone from the cult would expect the same if their messiah.", ">\n\nCool, sounds reasonable.", ">\n\nSeems normal. I imagine this will go significantly faster since Biden won’t block everything imaginable.", ">\n\ndoocy on fox news right now is the hardest he's been since Jen Psaki's last CBT session on national TV with him in the press core.", ">\n\nI'm a Democrat, voted for Biden. If he fucked up, he should face the consequences.", ">\n\nHe's always been a republican. Coward refuses to prosecute Trump.", ">\n\nGood. This is how it should be.", ">\n\nCorrupt Garland took his ass time to investigate Trump, even go as far as shielding him against all investigations, but was quite quick to jump on the Biden files. Spineless corrupt Republicans.", ">\n\nGiving Republicans such a gift is Democrats in a nutshell, sigh.", ">\n\nI am into this and I voted for the guy. I wish people could be like that about the other guy.", ">\n\nSame.", ">\n\nthis is good.", ">\n\nWow. Took him less than a week. It took him two years to bother looking into Trump.", ">\n\nI for one are very disappointed in President Biden for this!", ">\n\nMight be a way the White House can have a new candidate for 2024. Even though the handling of these documents is much less nefarious (aka not at al) than trump, it could be a way out to be like, “oh shoot, so having any classified documents is wrong, I guess I can’t run in 2024, and neither should trump. I guess we need to find a new Democrat to run.”", ">\n\nThe GOP know that Biden is their only stopgap between the present and a future with Harris as president, right?", ">\n\nSo many comments deflecting from the issue and bringing up Trump lol", ">\n\nTook him all of a handful of days while it took him literal years to do this with Trump.\nRules for Republicans are not the same as rules for Democrats.", ">\n\nTrump was a private citizen. He didn’t need a special counsel. Biden is Garland’s boss, so a special counsel is needed from the get-go.", ">\n\nAnyone who's not concerned about Garland slowrolling the prosecution against Trump did not pay attention to the Mueller investigation. Back then everyone was saying \"Just wait! He has to gather all the evidence first!\" Then it turned out Mueller bungled it by making his investigation as narrow as possible, and Trump escaped justice.\nThe rules are simply different for Republicans, and the Democrats enable it. When Republicans investigate Democrats, they appoint hardliners and go all-out, grasping at every single straw. When Democrats investigate Republicans, they appoint conservatives, spend years on the investigation, and end up not doing anything. Republicans let other Republicans get away with murder, and Democrats throw the book at other Democrats to appear \"nonpartisan\". It's all a scam.", ">\n\nI imagine the investigation will be fast and swift. \nIt's a very simple story. Biden fucked up and forgot about some documents. Cooperated fully when his team realised, returned them. If they want to do a search of his office/homes, fine, best to be sure there's no wrongdoing. It's right for there to be an investigation and it's right for there to be a SC. There's not much else to say. Can't see why this would take more than a few months - Biden and his team will cooperate fully and there's really not much there, unless there's much more going on under the surface. \nI don't think anyone on the left should be worried, and the betting markets don't really seem to give a shit from what I can tell. \nOnly bad thing is it gives the MAGAs another shitty excuse for Trump.", ">\n\nThey can do this in ONE DAY but it takes fucking years to do anything about trump? And were still waiting for that? 🖕garland", ">\n\nYou realize the DOJ was investigating Trump since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021? It only took 1 day for the DOJ to appoint a special counsel to Trump after announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nRepublicans are going to be pissed when nothing happens because Biden properly worked with the DOJ. Donny could've avoided all of his trouble if he just cooperated like an adult, even after getting free pass after free pass. They tried to make it easy for him to make it a non-issue and he just refused to take the easy out.", ">\n\nGot right on it when it involved a Dem president didn't they? Where was this sense or urgency and transparency with the Trump document debacle? \nYep, still can't trust the DOJ", ">\n\nThere will be attempts to equivocate, but hopefully not by the DOJ.", ">\n\nJesus christ man. Trumps right fucking there burning down everything but sure. Sure.", ">\n\nHey now don't be silly....meadows as the one burning stuff trump only tore them up, chewed them lightly and flushed them down the toilet.", ">\n\nPeople complaining about his speed on this vs Trump are completely missing the point:\nThis move was made quickly entirely to remove the appearance of playing favorites. Now Fox can't cry about how Trump is being treated \"unfairly\" when Biden \"did the same thing\" (not). It also gets ahead of any GOP House investigations.\nControlling the narrative is part of politics.", ">\n\nOh they will cry anyways, but I agree.", ">\n\n\nOh they will cry anyways\n\nExactly! When the game is rigged, the only way to win is to NOT play. But whatever...Merrik Garland doesn't have the spine of an earthworm.", ">\n\nThis guy and Robert Mueller - what disappointments they turned out to be.", ">\n\nGod, the overwhelming stench of buttery mails is gagworthy already and it hasn't even really started yet.", ">\n\nLmao they are moving at warp speed on Biden.", ">\n\nIt's a lot easier when Biden is fully cooperating and giving them everything he has even before they ask for it.", ">\n\nOh I agree. He also isn’t ordering them not to investigate", ">\n\nThe dude that let Trump slide for 14 months before he took action when Trump did this goes for Biden in 4 days.\nThe DOJ should be disbanded and reformed with clowns, mimes and Vegas comedians. Maybe I'd find their incompetence funnier.", ">\n\nHe didn’t, the DOJ was investigating him since they were referred to by the National Archives back in 2021. The only reason Garland appointed a special prosecutor was because Trump announced his campaign. It’s not that hard to understand", ">\n\nGood. This cuts both ways. We’re supposed to be the party where no one is above the law. We need to walk the talk. And we need serious and immediate conversations on if Biden should run again, not only about electability but also who would be the best leader.", ">\n\nGood. Just because Trump got away with it doesn't mean that should be the new normal.", ">\n\nOh. For. Fuck's. Sake. This ball-less scrotum is about as effective as a wet noodle.", ">\n\nmy odds are on this nothingburger to be completed by noon on monday.", ">\n\n\nnothingburger\n\nI wish that word would die. Do we really want to emulate the lexicon of the donald subreddit?", ">\n\nWild how quickly all this is happening compared to a similar situation (and by similar, I mean not even remotely similar) last year.", ">\n\nVoted for Biden. GOOD! If he did something illegal he should be held accountable.", ">\n\nI mean, if he did something wrong definitely have him face consequences for it. That being said there’s a clear difference between this scenario and Trump stealing and hiding documents from government officials, no matter how much the bad faith actors want to holler.\nIf Biden faces any kind of consequences, it’s great ammo for forcing their hand on Trump. I see no bad sides here.", ">\n\nOr you could just let it go. I highly doubt Joe Biden was giving access to classified materials to foreign adversaries or trying to sell government secrets for money.\nAll of this is so stupid.", ">\n\nGarland had little choice. While I’m not concerned about the Biden documents, it likely allows trump to avoid any tough reprecussions from his document concerns.", ">\n\nMerrick Garland moved 14 times faster against Biden than he ever did against Trump", ">\n\nHow? This happened 10 years ago", ">\n\nThey found classified documents and reported it 10 years ago???", ">\n\nNope, they found classified documents from 10 years ago held by a VP that did not have the authority to declassify documents", ">\n\nwhen will he appoint an investigator to look into Kushners?", ">\n\nWhat a fucking joke of an AG. \nShould Biden be investigated? Absolutely. \nBut this immediate bullshit when Trump is STILL walking around without charges is political ratfucking. Garland was the worst possible choice Biden could have gone with. What a fucking chode.", ">\n\nif the DOJ is going to actually prosecute a former president they have to make sure it's perfect. it's never been done before.", ">\n\nIf YoU TaKe A sHoT aT tHe KiNg YoU bEtTeR nOt MisS\nWe've all heard this before. Constantly. Get real.", ">\n\nwhat is your personal experience with investigating and prosecuting former high level government officials for potential violations of the espionage act and/or obstruction of justice?", ">\n\nThis is a bad faith question. Neither of us have experience with this. But we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\nWe both saw a New York AG decline to prosecute after a years long investigation. We've both seen a half dozen investigations into Trump go silent with no end in sight.\nYou'll have your reasons and justifications to dispute all of what I said but I will continue to feel how I feel. Thanks.", ">\n\n\nBut we both saw an appointed prosecutor find evidence of wrongdoing and obstruction and ultimately shrug when it came to bringing the goods.\n\nthat's not how i would interpret the results of the mueller investigation\naside from that, frankly i think anyone who thought trump would ever face serious repercussions in the first place was delusional", ">\n\nWhat results were there other than a few fall guys doing light jail sentences and indictments on Russian nationals that will never see a US prison?", ">\n\ni don't understand your question. i think it was unrealistic to expect there to have been an indictment from the mueller investigation in the first place. current OLC policy is that DOJ can't indict a sitting president, and even if mueller wanted to do that, he didn't have the authority, so it was moot. \nthe report essentially laid the groundwork for an impeachment and conviction of the president through congress, which is what the constitution allows.", ">\n\nMy theory is that they will find the documents were planted by someone. That is what special counsel will find.", ">\n\nAt his house and think tank? This was known internally before the MidTerms and they haven't leaked anything to soften the blow. If anything they made it worse by having Biden go on 60 minutes and ridicule Trump for what he knew he also had done.", ">\n\nThat is what they are setting up for. I just saw Biden respond and he can't even read the statement properly.", ">\n\nThis is bad comedy. Biden should never have put Garland in charge of the DOJ. And he's had ample reason to fire him over the past two years. Garland is still a member of the Federalist Society. Hur was a Trump appointee and is part of the same law firm that gave us the idiot judge down in FL that put the Special Master in charge of the Trump documents case. \nAt the same time the DOJ and FBI have not searched other Trump properties where he is known to have kept additional stolen documents. And Trump hosted the Saudi's at Bedminster for a golf tournament after it was known he had classified material.\nI'm sure Biden and his team will handle this investigation professionally and honestly. But now we get to spend the next two years dealing with false equivalency and Republican conspiracy theories. \nWhile we're at it Biden needed to Fire Cristopher Wray as head of the FBI and clean house at both the DOJ and FBI of any and all Trump appointees. Leaving Republicans in charge of major institutions has been a severe mistake for the past two Democratic administrations.", ">\n\n\nGarland is still a member of the Federalist Society\n\nGarland has never been a member of the Federalist Society. This is a misinformation meme that everyone just accepts.", ">\n\nMaybe you should read your own sources...\n\nA person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society.\n\nSo not a member.", ">\n\nI hope they give him a month in prison just to get precidence. Biden would do it with a smile on his face knowing Trump will get a few years.", ">\n\nIs this how we get Kamala?", ">\n\nMy thoughts on this are divided. It can turn into a Hillary's Email 2.0, but it does call the GOP's bluff and take wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\n\nand take wind out of their talking points.\n\nIt won't because they don't care. They'll simply move to another talking point they invent. Just watch.", ">\n\nI know that. It's not the crazies I'm worried about.", ">\n\n\nIt's not the crazies I'm worried about.\n\nAll of the ones who care/pretend to care about this are \"the crazies\". Nothing is going to take the wind out of their talking points.", ">\n\nGood. Rules are rules.", ">\n\nTrump planted them! \n/s", ">\n\nGet ready here come president Harris!", ">\n\nNot that quick. Biden moves only slowly in general.", ">\n\nGood. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander ... and I say that as someone who thinks Trump should be locked up for a decade or more given what he did.\nHonestly, this was probably the only right move in a bad situation. Appoint a different special counsel, have them follow the same investigative patterns, and then at the end - in very precise and legal wording - one can highlight all the ways where this situation is dramatically different (hopefuly) than NARA-lag-o with its deliberate obfuscation, misdirection, and frankly probably outright willful lying.", ">\n\nGood move by Garland. Specifically, a good move strategically, from an optics vector, to appoint a special counsel who was previously a Trump appointee - to the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.", ">\n\nDOJ playing politics? i thought it was supposed to be above politics?", ">\n\nThe DOJ is a political organization, as are all entities within/underneath/linked-to/etc. the executive branch; any understanding to the contrary is a defective understanding. Being a political organization has no correlation to \"playing politics\", \"being above politics\", etc. \nNow, as far as pragmatism goes:\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Democrat President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Democrat hating, Republican attorney that I could find.\n• If I was a sitting AG serving underneath a Republican President, and needed to investigate that President, I'd appoint the most qualified, Republican hating, Democrat attorney that I could find.", ">\n\nDoh!", ">\n\n[tinfoil hat on] What if papa Joe leaked this as House Republicans are going to be making a stink about Hunter's dick pics in order to take some heat off of him? Prolly not but that would be the weirdly nicest thing a dad could do for his grown ass son...", ">\n\nAs he should. \nDon't give them anything to cry about (but we all know they will.)", ">\n\nI voted for Biden. I’m fine with this", ">\n\nWHAT? Let me get my Biden flags and confederate flags and strap them to my 4x4 and head to a Biden rally to demand the dissolution of the FBI and the Justice department and\nwait, is it snowing?\nNah, let em do their jobs...", ">\n\nGood. Innocent people have nothing to worry about and can be confident when they disclose the truth in full. Unlike Trump.", ">\n\nWow, I think it's hypocritical how fast a special counsel was applied to Biden compared to how slow trump got one. Again, the standard is higher for Democrats.", ">\n\nNo, it’s because Trump was a private civilian so he was being investigated by the DOJ directly since they were referred by the national archives back in 2021. Garland ONLY appointed a special prosecutor years later because Trump announced his campaign.", ">\n\nI'm honestly quite speechless at how Biden was senile enough to keep beating Trump round the head with this, over and over and over, and at no point did he think, will this come back on me? Should I check to see that I haven't made the same mistake? Am i whiter than white?\nSure, it's not as bad as what Trump has done and is still doing but he still looks like hypocrite and in politics, that's just as bad.", ">\n\nThank God - shut up the f ing republicans so we can move on. Special counsel will find nothing! Repeat - nothing!", ">\n\nHmmm.. seems like a big waste of tax payers money. Like that one time the CIA wasted 25 millions dollars on trying to use cats for spying.", ">\n\nI’m assuming r/conservative is over there having a never ending orgasm right now yeah?", ">\n\nObama should step in and say he declassified those documents with his mind, I would like to see Trumps reaction.", ">\n\nObama would have to on order to prevent Biden's doom. But Obama said it best \"never underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up\"", ">\n\nAs it should be. \nI didn't vote for Biden in the primaries, he was not my first choice. But, when it came down to it I did vote for him. \nBut, like most people on the left, I'm not a fan of any of these people. They are picked to do a job and I expect them to do the job while following the rules. If he broke the rules then he should get whatever punishment is appropriate. \nI've successfully managed to leave several jobs without taking any important documents with me. \nIt's just laughable that this is the world we live in, one where we keep electing old white guys who can't follow basic rules. \nI hope we do better. \nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.", ">\n\n\nI still feel like this is being handled better than Trump handled his own debacle- but, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.\n\nEverything is a circus with Trump because that's what he makes it. It's his entire M.O.", ">\n\nYou know what pisses me off is that this happened within days of finding out that biden had classified documents. Fucking days how long did it take to get a special counsel together for fucking trump. Throw them both in prison, but stop being stupid merrick garland. To think I was upset that you didn't get to the Supreme Court. You suck.", ">\n\nHindsight is 2020, but god it would have been a good idea to make sure Joe didn’t forget about some things before making the Trump documents a major talking point. This sub might not like it but independents and normies are going to view this as hypocrisy if not handled right. I personally do not think Joe Biden had the same intent Trump would have had but the fact is that this gives the GOP a much more potent talking point than Hunters Laptop. And in conjunction with the slow walk about the laptop being real when it was declared misinformation, I’m not sure an independent (read: swing state election decider) is going to view this as a nothing burger. \nEven if this doesn’t hurt us politically, it’s ugly and frustrating as someone who truly believes the Democratic Party is d the party that respects the rule of law, transparency and consistency", ">\n\nHouse will impeach Biden over this. \nSenate will aquit.\nBoth Trump and Bidens handling of classified material is mind boggling. So was Hillary’s as well. I’m sure there is a ton of mishandling by others we never hear about.\nWonder if this gives Biden a moment of pause to rethink possibly running in 2024.", ">\n\nDoes the GOP House really want to set a precedent of impeaching Presidents for things that occurred years before they were elected?", ">\n\nPretty much. They still want to impeach Hillary for Pizzagate.", ">\n\nBiden needs to sue.", ">\n\nsue...who?", ">\n\nAnd for what? What an odd take.", ">\n\nShould have added a /s", ">\n\nit's okay bro\nthis sub has wild takes so i didn't know", ">\n\nLegit question, I've been busy as hell all week. Caught a very brief snippet of this. Are these documents from when he was VP that were just found? Or are they newer documents that happened to be found in old VP quarters?", ">\n\nold docs from his time as VP", ">\n\nThis has the stink of Weiner. Anthony Weiner's laptop was found, was nothing, but kept people talking about it long enough to lose the presidency to Trump.\nGlad they're getting ahead of this. I look forward to reading the report.", ">\n\nWeiner the gift that keeps on giving.", ">\n\nWe just really gotta get to the bottom of this!", ">\n\nWaste of time and tax dollars but has good optics.", ">\n\nYou know, like how normal things work", ">\n\nTo pretend like this is the same thing as Trump’s possession of controlled information is absurd, but alas, they must be treated the same given the absolute shambles of a society we live in. Anti-intellectualism will be the downfall of us all", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nOk, no problem, but where are those Jan 6 indictments?", ">\n\nGood", ">\n\nwere golf shoes found with these documents?", ">\n\nBiden…", ">\n\nGreat.", ">\n\nWe have investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing!", ">\n\nGreat job", ">\n\nWell that did not take long.", ">\n\nAs he should.", ">\n\nr/conservative is showing once again how stupid they are, they actually think this is comparable or worse than trump. The lies they tell themselves to make their narrative believable to themselves is insane.", ">\n\nI bet other presidents have files like this as well", ">\n\nAnd Sec of State don't always follow perfect info sec process... its almost like these are humans dealing with massive teams of people and information. It's why we shouldn't want an \"outsider\" or \"rogue maveric\" or whatever the GOP flavor of the day is. You want a fucking professional who can limit these vulnerabilities. You want someone whose been scrutinized for decades. You want someone who isn't going to cover up his fuckups because it'll look bad for him personally.", ">\n\nAll in a day's work!\nLiterally, probably. A day's work.", ">\n\nGotta not prosecute people equally.", ">\n\nThe gqp missed a great opportunity to pick this people-pleasing wimp for a scotus appointee who would vote the same as thomas just to not appear like he favored the democrats who appointed him. Then the cult could say, “Hey, you picked this guy, not us!” and still get the same result. You messed up appointing this guy Joe!", ">\n\nWell at least he turned them in when found.. But still things have to be done for this stops happening.", ">\n\nLol turned them in?! They were found! And still being found!", ">\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is not looking good for Biden (then VP). Is VP Harris ready for the job?", ">\n\n\nThe Vice President does not have the authority to declassify documents\n\nDid anyone suggest he did? I believe most Pres/VP retain their clearance after their terms so they could consult sitting officials. It doesn't seem like he tried to cover it up, he self reported, and has been transparent. Not sure what you expect to happen when Trump set a very clear precedent that sitting presidents can not be indicted for any reason. I'd be happy to say a President isn't above the law, and send them both to prison, but the GOP won't open trump up to that kind of accountability. They just want to make a circus of this and pretend it's the same thing trump did... which it clearly isn't.", ">\n\nBiden was not a sitting president, he was the vp with zero authority to declass documents", ">\n\nSo I’m sure Biden asked for this quickly to squash it but as a sane person I’m so fucking tired of having to watch the game get played by lunatic rules. They did it too is the shit that orange dish towel of a human being has been skating by on for his whole life. He’s a symptom of the cancer eating this country apart. \nMistakes happen, rules get broken, but he games the system, makes a mockery of the judicial system with frivolous and bad faith actions repeatedly, and his sheer amoral fortitude drags us all down with him. We all know the fucking line, when people who brazenly cross it repeatedly get away with it everyone else says fuck it and next thing you know it all starts falling apart.", ">\n\nApparently he had the nuclear codes stashed in Hunter's laptop case", ">\n\nwhile he’s running out the clock on everyone who attempted a coup", ">\n\nWelcome to the shit show that will be the next 2 years.\nLet us pray that Biden won't run again so if he wins we won't have to hear about this for 6 years", ">\n\nGood. If he did something wrong then hold him account. It’s not about “Oh it’s Team Blue now so different rules,” it’s about the law. Both sides need accountability", ">\n\nIt’s only fair.", ">\n\nImagine Garland presses charges on Biden but not Trump.", ">\n\nGood! It’ll show nonpartiality and further expose Republicans by giving them what they ask for.", ">\n\nIt's amazing how quiet my feed is with this news. The very first time this popped up on Reddit, there were 500+ comments all saying this was fake news by a conservative (?) CNN or NBC News conglomerate." ]

[]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became..." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever.", ">\n\nYa don’t say 🙄" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever.", ">\n\nYa don’t say 🙄", ">\n\nWould be interesting to see the twitter files on this" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever.", ">\n\nYa don’t say 🙄", ">\n\nWould be interesting to see the twitter files on this", ">\n\nYes, everyone knew, everyone knows.\nLet's stop trying to establish that fact and use it as a given.\nNow let's use a given fact as a platform for change. We're already 20 years behind schedule..." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever.", ">\n\nYa don’t say 🙄", ">\n\nWould be interesting to see the twitter files on this", ">\n\nYes, everyone knew, everyone knows.\nLet's stop trying to establish that fact and use it as a given.\nNow let's use a given fact as a platform for change. We're already 20 years behind schedule...", ">\n\nThis is not new information?" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever.", ">\n\nYa don’t say 🙄", ">\n\nWould be interesting to see the twitter files on this", ">\n\nYes, everyone knew, everyone knows.\nLet's stop trying to establish that fact and use it as a given.\nNow let's use a given fact as a platform for change. We're already 20 years behind schedule...", ">\n\nThis is not new information?", ">\n\nThis is hardly news. PBS and Frontline had a 4 part series spelling out every bit of this information back in October. Did the media just NOW watch it?" ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever.", ">\n\nYa don’t say 🙄", ">\n\nWould be interesting to see the twitter files on this", ">\n\nYes, everyone knew, everyone knows.\nLet's stop trying to establish that fact and use it as a given.\nNow let's use a given fact as a platform for change. We're already 20 years behind schedule...", ">\n\nThis is not new information?", ">\n\nThis is hardly news. PBS and Frontline had a 4 part series spelling out every bit of this information back in October. Did the media just NOW watch it?", ">\n\nOnce we’ve switch the majority of vehicles to electric, easy way to get rid of big oil. Prosecute the companies that buried the study results and wipe them out." ]

[ "I see this headline every six months. This is how encroached industries act when their primary product is found to literally be poisonous.\nBig tobacco denied the link to cancer for decades, despite them knowing the damage. Before that, the lead industry kept leaded gasoline in our cars. There were Congressional hearings in the 1920's on the matter, but we did nothing. \nBig asbestos did the same thing under the same circumstances starting in the early 20th century. And if we wanna go back to the 19th century, big mercury, which absolutely was a thing, acted in the same way when we tried to keep mercury out of our food as an admittedly effective preservative. \nThey follow the same playbook every time. You'd think we'd be able to counter them by now.\nedit\nThis American Experience documentary on the literal poisons that used to be in our foods, and the fight against the industries putting them there, comes highly recommended. You may need a VPN to view if you're out of the US.", ">\n\nIt's hard to solve a problem when rich and powerful people have a deeply vested interest in not solving it.", ">\n\n...or obstructing the solution.", ">\n\nThis. Most powerful politicians have family connections and the people that profit from the environmental pollution are their friends & college buddies.", ">\n\nIirc the Eisenhower Administration did a military study regarding the effects of Climate change so everyone knew.", ">\n\nNote there was an article published in 1912 commonly titled Coal Consumption Affecting Climate. We've known about this for more than a century, and at least in the US where I am, have done basically nothing.\nedit\nlink to snippet from 1912 article", ">\n\n“The affect may be considerable in a few centuries.”", ">\n\nI worked at XOM for a long time, was an executive, and internally we always accepted it. We had full on company-wide presentations with Sherri Steuwer (the exec in charge of climate at least for a time) where she acknowledged it, shows us all the science, showed what had to be done, etc etc etc. Meanwhile we were funding almost exclusively climate deniers in Congress. For a period our head of lobbying was a totally normal woman who since left for a similar job at an airline. It was a weird cognitive dissonance I could never understand.", ">\n\nAllow us to clear up the confusion: $$$$$$$$$", ">\n\nthis has been public knowledge for a long time.", ">\n\nWe do live in a perfect world, as in we were created for this planet, we evolved and adapted around this environment, then we changed it and did so in a manner that is unstoppable, and rather than try and prevent making it worse we're still actively pushing on the gas. Shit is getting bad out there and its getting worse every day. \nI don't think we'll make it to another planet, we're not making enough progress, we may be the generation that is the peak of civilization.", ">\n\nYa, exactly. Something a lot of people don't think about - gravity. Sure, maybe you can replace an entire atmosphere (good luck doing that). But also good luck finding a planet that feels exactly the same as Earth's gravity. Think motion sickness on a species level. This Earth is an extension of our bodies. And I don't think O'neill cylinders are the solution. Personally I'd go insane being stuck inside a floating machine in space without an actual planet under my feet.", ">\n\nBut the money machine must go brrrrr!\nExxon and other big oil producers are the next generation of cigarette/Big Tobacco companies. They knew the dangers of their products for generations but continued business as usual and would have never stopped because of the almighty dollar.\nThe sickening thing, unlike Big Tobacco, is is primarily harming the consumer and limited others (second hand smoke, healthcare costs) Big Oil is wiping out biodiversity and limiting viable habitation for huge percentages of the world. \nIt's saddening that, had they not actively fought back against the assumptions their own scientists were aware of and tried to contribute to change from the 70s onward, we could have successfully implemented something to reduce and avoid most of the worst effects. They should be taxed/fined out of existence and the proceeds utilized for alternative fuels and habitat rehabilitation.", ">\n\nSounds like the boards for these companies need to whipped out and they should be turned into non-profits. Where every bit of money they make is put into climate research.", ">\n\nPlot twist - The US nationalizes oil and gets coup'ed by the CIA.", ">\n\nThat already happened in 1999. An environmentalist ran for president. The son of the former head of the CIA and former president was himself elected president under some shady fucking circumstances and despite losing the popular vote by a wide margin. His name is George and he is still a completely useless goddamn moron. Only now he spends his days in Texas painting instead of invading countries for absolutely fabricated bullshit reasons in order to seize oil fields to funnel profits to his oil oligarch buddies. But that's reality for you; the plot is written by the laziest of assholes.", ">\n\nActual humans did this. Call them out by name. Not some incorporeal corporate logo.", ">\n\nYes, yes, yes.", ">\n\nI wonder if we'll ever get to a point where these companies are prosecuted for literal crimes against humanity.", ">\n\nCool. Now sue them", ">\n\nArrest them and send them to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity", ">\n\nHold them responsible for solutions and clean up...not just fines...direct their profits and costs...piss off their share holders and then you'll see change", ">\n\nThe scientists who did the studies should hang their heads in shame for allowing the lies to go unchallenged.", ">\n\nThe price of denialism is the future", ">\n\ncan you explain what this means", ">\n\nI'm not the person that you replied to, but they are saying that the consequences of denying and obfuscating the science about climate change (and other things) is that we are sacrificing the future of the planet.\nMisinformation and disinformation are very valuable to the companies that benefit from generating doubt and delaying legislation to fix these problems... but the whole world will suffer the consequences of the delays.", ">\n\nOr in other words:\nBig lies make humanity's future go bye bye", ">\n\nPlenty of old reports came to the same conclusion already.", ">\n\nSounds like we should Nationalize them.", ">\n\nExcept that the politicians we keep electing are the same people as the corporate leadership. Former Exxon CEO was literally Secretary of State for the last president. \nPutting control of these industries in the government's hands only works if the government its self isn't just as corrupt as the corporations are.", ">\n\nNew report finds? This news broke like 10 years ago.", ">\n\nAnd needs to be held accountable", ">\n\nThat's been public knowledge for a long time. That they used the playbook pioneered by the tobacco industry to publicly deny and obfuscate what they privately knew to be true all along. That deception extended by decades the period of unchallenged fossil fuel expansion and profits.", ">\n\nNew report?\nI thought it was publicly and formally well known the energy sector intentionally played down global warming?", ">\n\nThis has been known since the 90's", ">\n\nHasn't this been well known for like, nearly a decade at this point?", ">\n\nAre we surprised? Profit>sustaining humanity. Get on board already.", ">\n\nBoomers make planet go boom! We need new leadership. Period. Our old generational post ww2 folks have been to selfish. Got everything and kept it all while burning the planet and the rest of us.", ">\n\nCan we just sanction these people and their families like we do the Russian oligarchs and take all their wealth.", ">\n\nAnd this knowledge has been available for at least 20 years", ">\n\nCrimes against humanity", ">\n\nAll these companies knew and should all have to split the bill for the lies.", ">\n\nI would say these ass hats need to be held accountable but we all know nothing will happen to them.", ">\n\nCraziest part to me is this isn't news. We known this since the 70s. And now all the political groups who ignored (and paid to keep quiet scientific research) are now acting like they are part of the solution w weak policies. I will not forget.", ">\n\nThis is not news, I’ve known this about Exxon and other oil corporations since the early 00s. We even covered it in some classes in undergrad.", ">\n\nThere are some amazing individual Humans, but taken as a whole, Humanity is a dumpster fire. We deserve everything coming our way.", ">\n\nI'd argue that my 2 year old daughter doesn't deserve any of it.", ">\n\nThen why did you bring her here?", ">\n\nWe have know this was coming since the late nineteenth century! Scientists were talking about the effects of industrial pollutants affecting climate since the 1880s! \nThis is how idiotic we truly are.", ">\n\nI feel like we kinda knew this already though..?", ">\n\nThey will be in the same boat as big tobacco.", ">\n\nThe more they tried to deny it, the more accurate the prediction became...", ">\n\nSo...they should be ended as a company, right? This action amounts to willful harm of some sort.", ">\n\nI'd love to see some Hague like trials of old oil executives who end up getting guillotined live on air, but the best I\"ll probably get is being murdered by a Dasani black ops team during the water wars of 2035.", ">\n\nI don't know how stupid this is but I have a tendency to account for lies, denial and randomness in determining the path of society.", ">\n\nI feel like maybe they should be, you know, held responsible somehow.", ">\n\nAn actual conspiracy, but I guess not flashy enough for the \"free-thinkers\"", ">\n\nLeast surprising headline ever.", ">\n\nYa don’t say 🙄", ">\n\nWould be interesting to see the twitter files on this", ">\n\nYes, everyone knew, everyone knows.\nLet's stop trying to establish that fact and use it as a given.\nNow let's use a given fact as a platform for change. We're already 20 years behind schedule...", ">\n\nThis is not new information?", ">\n\nThis is hardly news. PBS and Frontline had a 4 part series spelling out every bit of this information back in October. Did the media just NOW watch it?", ">\n\nOnce we’ve switch the majority of vehicles to electric, easy way to get rid of big oil. Prosecute the companies that buried the study results and wipe them out.", ">\n\nof course they did. is anyone really surprised? really?" ]