This week, amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trump team carried out yet another affront against the rule of law via dropping the charges against disgraced former Trump adviser Michael Flynn, who had admitted to lying to federal investigators about his communications with the then-Russian Ambassador to the United States. Attorney General Bill Barr, who is a Trump appointee (of course), insisted that the case against Flynn had been out of place from the start. Amidst fierce criticism of that sharp politicization of the Justice Department, Trump himself glibly tweeted this Friday morning that “MUCH more” in line with Barr’s favor to Flynn might be coming soon.
I want to live in a country that works as hard for justice for Ahmaud Arbery as it worked to cover up for Mike Flynn’s crimes and betrayals. But this is who we actually are. And it’s not a pretty picture.
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) May 7, 2020
Throughout the Russia scandal and subsequent lengthy investigations, Trump has painted himself as some kind of innocent victim who’s been targeted by nefarious players in the “deep state” who’ve tried to topple his presidency on the basis of made-up accusations of collusion with the Russians. That is a ludicrous assessment of the situation. Trump literally stood on camera and proclaimed at one point that Russia should hack into Hillary Clinton’s emails. Yet, in willful ignorance, Trump tweeted this Friday morning:
‘Yesterday was a BIG day for Justice in the USA. Congratulations to General Flynn, and many others. I do believe there is MUCH more to come! Dirty Cops and Crooked Politicians do not go well together!’
Yesterday was a BIG day for Justice in the USA. Congratulations to General Flynn, and many others. I do believe there is MUCH more to come! Dirty Cops and Crooked Politicians do not go well together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2020
The president is, quite simply, completely self-deluded. Flynn admitted to lying to authorities. Yet, Barr seems to have decided to drop the case against him out of some kind of sense of personal offense at its existence.
REPORTER: How will history look back on your decision to drop charges against Flynn?
BILL BARR: “Well, history is written by the winners. So it largely depends on who’s writing the history.” pic.twitter.com/GVr2bIaavc
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 7, 2020
Barr has responded to criticism with increasingly unhinged assertions about the supposedly broadly sweeping power of authorities like himself. For example, during a CBS interview, he suggested that his place in history for dropping the charges against Flynn didn’t really matter because “might makes right” and the victors get to write the history.
Bill Barr has consistently done Donald Trump's bidding and corrupted our justice system. I called for it last year and I'll say it again: he must resign. pic.twitter.com/atbmMMQRLw
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 7, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response to Trump below…
You fired Flynn for lying to you. Now you congratulate him. Yeah….that makes sense. https://t.co/MttNuH1yMX
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) May 8, 2020
Ha ha ha!!! This tweet will age very well #TrumpCrimeFamily #TrumpIsALaughingStock https://t.co/FxAX5yL0cV
— Uberman21 (@uberman21) May 8, 2020
Project much, moron?
Big day for justice?
As in, getting rid of it? https://t.co/shvvRyRzXK pic.twitter.com/upNEJiE1ja
— JR Horsting (@JRHorsting) May 8, 2020
Dirty cops & crooked politicians? … so really he means himself & his – what is basically – regime! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HE'S BOTH STUPID & CORRUPT! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS SHIT?! #Biden2020 (I can't believe anyone is stupider than @realDonaldTrump but his supporters are!) https://t.co/kBYjMbYRqm
— Jennifer Halligan💛⚾🐘💚🌊 (@Baseball_Jen) May 8, 2020
@realDonaldTrump Coming soon. The Trial of the Century. The United States vs Donald Trump and enablers for crimes against America and humanity. #TrumpTrial2021 #IndictTrump https://t.co/QGtCDZzWMI
— David Mc (@DavidMc64338277) May 8, 2020
With coronavirus deaths rising and the unemployment hitting the highest level since the Great Depression, President Trump is focused on undermining the rule of law to protect his political allies. https://t.co/aloaRTfto2
— American Oversight (@weareoversight) May 8, 2020
Another knife to the heart of the Rule of Law and another step towards a Corrupt Autocracy. https://t.co/h6cbjKD3p5
— Proud Navy Veteran 🌊⚓️🇺🇸 (@naretevduorp) May 8, 2020
Crooked Politicians says wut?? #AbuseOfPower #VoteHimOut #ImpeachBarr https://t.co/58zH5wyn8n
— M. Resists (@AngryFedupVtr) May 8, 2020
I would love to hear what his explanation of "justice" means. Flynn pleaded guilty to helping rig the 2016 election, but somehow that's a victory? You're completely unhinged. Karma's a bitch, Don. https://t.co/SrSqXKa0Wc
— Noble Prize Vice Chairman (@PaulHoferer) May 8, 2020
A complete disgrace. https://t.co/LMgKruUX2P pic.twitter.com/2bkwAe6NK8
— Joseph Richard Préville יוֹסֵף (@joseph_preville) May 8, 2020
