Democrats Embrace Guilt by Association, Trial by Legislature

Tech Law Journal cites US v. Brown as an explanation, “The Bill of Attainder Clause was intended …a general safeguard against legislative exercise of the judicial function or more simply - trial by legislature.”

So what are we to make of a recent story in The Hill that announced, “Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee unleashed a sprawling probe of President Trump's family, campaign, business and administration on Monday that includes more than 80 requests for documents”?

The “requests” include “a slew of current and former White House and administration officials, including Flynn, Trump son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, former White House communications director Hope Hicks and former White House counsel Don McGahn.”

These individuals are, like Paul Manafort, being investigated solely because they have or had an association with President Trump. They are a “group of persons” singled out for a “trial by legislature.”

Paul Manafort’s failure to register as a “foreign agent” is no different from what many of Hillary’s consultants and supporters did, but since they weren’t associated with Trump, they will remain unmolested. Manafort was guilty of being part of the Trump campaign for three lousy months and now he’s ruined and may well die in prison.

These indictments by Robert Mueller have nothing to do with the “Russia collusion” he was supposed to investigate. The indictments are the result of a biased, targeted federal fishing expedition that shows no sign of ending.

The net the Judiciary Committee has just tossed into the Sea of No Tranquility is designed to do the same, “A committee counsel told reporters Monday that the immediate goal of the requests is to put together ‘a very large treasure trove of evidence’ that can be combed through to help guide the investigation and determine future witnesses.”

Readers might be thinking, well if they are innocent these people have nothing to fear. That’s a misconception. The fishing expedition is part of the punishment. It’s a trial without a jury. The names of Trump family members, business associates and administration staffers are dragged through the mud. Even if these individuals are pure as driven snow they will be forever marked in the future as “controversial” or “targets of an investigation,” which will impair future job prospects in the private and public sector. They will forever have the scarlet 'T' branded on their foreheads.

In addition some of these individuals will possibly face bankruptcy caused by legal fees at worst or face pinched economic circumstances.

All because they made the mistake of knowing, doing business with, or accepting an appointment from Donald Trump.

This is a spectacular abuse of power on the part of leftists in government. It’s a course of action only possible if they think Republicans will never again be in a position of power and able to return the favor. That alone should make conservatives wary of the future.

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Reagan, is a Newsmax TV analyst. A syndicated columnist and author, he chairs The Reagan Legacy Foundation. Michael is an in-demand speaker with Premiere speaker’s bureau. Read more reports from Michael Reagan — Go Here Now.

Michael R. Shannon is a commentator, researcher for the League of American Voters, and an award-winning political and advertising consultant with nationwide and international experience. He is author of "Conservative Christian’s Guidebook for Living in Secular Times (Now with added humor!)." Read more of Michael Shannon's reports — Go Here Now.