Presidents Are Not Above The Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – News reports today indicate that a grand jury in New York has voted to indict former U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in directing hush money payments to conceal an affair, a move to benefit his candidacy weeks before the 2016 presidential election. In response, Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president of Public Citizen, released the following statement:
“Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen has already gone to jail for his participation in this crime. Now it’s time for Trump to face legal consequences as well. Substantial evidence led to this indictment, which was issued by a grand jury of everyday Americans. The justice system is working. No one is above the law, and that includes a former president.
“The U.S. Justice Department and Georgia officials must continue their investigations into crimes involving attempted election subversion and the attacks on our country on January 6. In order for laws to work, they must be upheld and applied to each person fairly, regardless of their position of power. The rules of the road must be fairly applied to all Americans.”
“In light of Trump’s earlier remarks, Trump’s political allies – who have every right to criticize the indictment – should call for calm and affirmatively reject political violence as a response.
“This should be a moment that unifies Americans under one idea: No one is above the law.”