Witch Hunt? Nazi Germany? Hello?

By Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Facebook Page

11 January 17

rump’s response to alleged evidence Russian operatives had “compromising” information on him, and that his campaign had been in touch with Russia over intervening in the election on his behalf? Last night, he tweeted, in capital letters: “Fake news – a total political witch hunt!” And then this morning: “The intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to ‘leak’ to the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?” And then: “I win an election easily, a great ‘movement’ is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with fake news. A sorry state!”

Witch hunt? Nazi Germany? Hello?

The intelligence agencies are doing their job. If they have credible evidence that Trump or his assistants colluded with Russian agents to tilt the election his way, they have an obligation to investigate. And if they conclude it’s true, that’s treason.

Treason is the only crime defined in the Constitution. Article I Section 3 defines it as levying war against the United States, or "adhering" or "giving aid and comfort" to enemies of the United States. Plotting with a foreign dictatorship that has nuclear warheads pointing at the United States to throw our election, or failing to notify authorities if Trump or his associates knew of such efforts, presumably would qualify.

The penalty? Under statutory law (18 United States Code 2381), someone found guilty of treason “shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”

9 days left until Trump is sworn in. The intelligence community must continue their investigations unimpeded.

What do you think?