# If Biden wins, should he aggressively prosecute the previous administration...including Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 23, 2020, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212 "2020-06-23T03:06:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/21 "2020-06-23T12:08:25Z")
My gut feeling is that he should, but I don’t care a whole lot about it as long as there is a victory and a thorough investigation. On the third hand, I question the motives of those who think that he definitely should not aggressively prosecute. It’s like the old no marriage at all/civil unions/same sex marriage debate: I didn’t really care if there were either civil unions or same sex marriage, I just questioned the motives of those who absolutely insisted that gay people weren’t allowed to use the word marriage. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/22 "2020-06-23T12:50:12Z")
I’m with the side of let the LEAs and especially the state AG’s do their thing, and just cooperate with any requests for evidence they make. Which BTW if they’re doing it right will tick off quite a few people who’d want more – you want to have a good solid case for which there can be no defense other than political fanatism. And frankly I’d be more interested in getting at Barr. HE knows what he’s destroying and he **likes** it that way. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/23 "2020-06-23T13:51:48Z")
As said, Biden might not be able to do much at a federal level. But I think the states should do whatever they can to help prevent this type of bullshit in the future. The President should not be a criminal. Perhaps it would prevent crooks from running if they realize they are not above the law. (first post on new board) ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/24 "2020-06-23T13:57:53Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > It’s a fine line to walk, because I think saying outright, “we’re going to investigate and pursue every possible criminal activity the Trump administration may have engaged in,” looks vengeful and sets an unseemly precedent. > > I _would_ be in favor of the Biden administration taking a strong, strong stance against public corruption, and essentially saying, “I have asked the Attorney General and the Justice Department to make public corruption and wrongdoing a significant priority during my time in office. I will rely on the judgement of the AG and the career professionals at DOJ to bring individual prosecutions where supported by evidence.” Insulate the White House from charges of vindictiveness (they’ll be made anyway, but optics are important) while also making it clear that we need to restore trust in government, and that one way to do that is to punish those who would improperly use it for personal gain. > > You know…drain the swamp. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > To announce publicly that he would encourage the DOJ to investigate members of the previous administration would be a bad precedent to set. He should simply say that he would not interfere in anything that the AG does with respect to that administration and that he would not be pardoning anyone in it. Let the DOJ get its independence back, appoint someone capable as AG and then let him/her do the job. Agree with this general direction. It can’t be a “lock him up” crusade, but he should direct the DOJ to cooperate with any state investigations and allow it to pursue evidence of federal crimes. I suspect there’ll be plenty of that. But pardons? “Moving on”? Screw that. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/25 "2020-06-23T14:31:09Z")
If Trump thinks he might do time he’ll fly to Russia or somewhere they won’t send him back. Saudi Arabia, Brazil, etc. I think even if he’s convicted he will probably get probation or maybe house arrest. Community service would be nice , see him raking leaves or washing cop cars. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/26 "2020-06-23T14:34:03Z")
He could start by cleaning up the National Forests of California. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/27 "2020-06-23T14:46:40Z")
I think President Biden will be incredibly busy after taking office. His **first** act should be a major speech in which he apologizes to our allies for the way many of them were treated by the previous administration. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/28 "2020-06-23T14:53:53Z")
[quote=“Bijou\_Drains, post:25, topic:912212, full:true”] If Trump thinks he might do time he’ll fly to Russia or somewhere they won’t send him back. Saudi Arabia, Brazil, etc.[/quote] I’d love to see that. Hey, MAGAts, look how your brave leader stands his ground to fight for your … welp, never mind. (So, the quote loses its format if you don’t use the whole thing? 😬) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/29 "2020-06-23T14:56:55Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > > [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > > > If Trump thinks he might do time he’ll fly to Russia or somewhere they won’t send him back. Saudi Arabia, Brazil, etc. > > I’d love to see that. Hey, MAGAts, look how your brave leader stands his ground to fight for your … welp, never mind. > > (So, the quote loses its format if you don’t use the whole thing? 😬) Nope, but the quote tags need to be on their **own lines.** ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/30 "2020-06-23T14:58:20Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/31 "2020-06-23T15:06:38Z")
If nothing else, i want Barr to pay a price. Let the states handle Trump, but nothing would please me more than to see Barr in cuffs. Trump I can write off as a Mad King George type, but Barr is the epitome of corruption and violation of norms we hold sacrosanct. I’m aware that my fantasy of seeing Barr in cuffs is unlikely to manifest but i guy a can dream. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/32 "2020-06-23T16:33:02Z")
Step One should be to de-classify and actively publish every scrap of information they can find on Trump et al.'s BS. Only things that directly risk the life of someone not responsible for helping Trump should be redacted. Even if it shows the US in a bad light, it’s worth getting it all out in the open. Then encourage every criminal investigation service there is, in the US or elsewhere, to trawl through this data to determine for themselves if they want to prosecute someone for something. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/33 "2020-06-23T16:33:59Z")
As a distraction from his dismal rally, Trump just [accused the previous administration of treason](https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/22/politics/trump-obama-treason-claim/index.html). Not a prosecution, no, but still. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/34 "2020-06-23T16:44:22Z")
“Treason” for spying on his campaign, before he was even president. (Even if it were true, which of course it isn’t.) There is truly no limit to his idiocy and egomania. (“Automatically removed quote of whole previous post.” WHY?) ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/35 "2020-06-23T16:44:40Z")
Biden should appoint a special prosecutor team made up of Hillary Clinton and both Obamas to investigate the entire Trump cabal. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/36 "2020-06-23T16:46:58Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > (“Automatically removed quote of whole previous post.” WHY?) Welcome to Discourse. If you edit the previous post in some way, it won’t be removed. Some people take out periods. I stick a forced space onto the end. Removing smilies and adding regular spaces doesn’t really work. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/37 "2020-06-23T16:48:51Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Biden should appoint a special prosecutor team made up of Hillary Clinton and both Obamas to investigate the entire Trump cabal. And a mysterious wave of strokes would plague the South and Midwest. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/38 "2020-06-23T16:49:38Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > > [@Akaj](#): > > > > (“Automatically removed quote of whole previous post.” WHY?) > > Welcome to Discourse. If you edit the previous post in some way, it won’t be removed. Some people take out periods. I stick a forced space onto the end. Removing smilies and adding regular spaces doesn’t really work. I’ll try that – thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/39 "2020-06-23T17:05:51Z")
Biden should appoint a prosecutor for Southern District of NY and take his hands off. It is not his business to make these decisions. He should start by dismissing every single one of Trump appointees he can. I would also like to see him reverse every single EO Trump made, but the recent SCOTUS decision on DACA seems to put in doubt his ability to do so willy nilly. At least every such rescission would have to be accompanied by convincing reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212/40 "2020-06-23T17:16:10Z")
I really don’t care if Trump, or any of his toadies, minions, sycophants and enablers go to jail. It’d be nice, but not essential. I _really_ want to see Biden immediately announce a broad agenda of changes – legislative, constitutional, whatever it takes – to make sure this never happens again. I hate the idea of a president undoing his predecessor’s Executive Orders by issuing a new set of Executive Orders – so let’s do away with Executive Orders. Let’s put a firewall around the Justice Department that makes it impossible to politicize. Let’s make it impossible for an a\*\*hole Senate Majority Leader to block all judicial appointments. Let’s define “emoluments” and “high crimes and misdemeanors” so we know exactly when a president is impeachable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-biden-wins-should-he-aggressively-prosecute-the-previous-administration-including-trump/912212.md?page=3)