CALL TO ACTION #856: Senate Placed Trump Above the Law So Now He Acts as Judge, Jury and Executioner (February 12, 2020)
265 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
SENATE PLACED TRUMP ABOVE THE LAW
SO NOW HE ACTS AS JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER
Yesterday, all of the Justice Department prosecutors in the Roger Stone case resigned—one left government entirely—to protest Trump’s interference in his pal’s prison sentencing.
Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys recommended that Stone serve 7 to 9 years in prison. His actions, which involved Russian interference, struck “at the very heart of our American democracy.”
Hours later, Trump tweeted that the proposed sentence was “horrible and very unfair . . . (and) a miscarriage of justice!” Coincidentally (?) Tuesday, DOJ announced it was withdrawing its sentencing recommendation.
This is a direct assault on “prosecutorial independence” which protects prosecutors from political meddling.
Attorney General Barr envisions a presidency with vast authority. This extreme view alarms even conservative lawyers. Barr no longer defends the law but is Trump’s legal consigliere.
- He deceived the public over the damning findings of the Mueller Report.
- He tried to bury the whistleblower’s Ukraine complaint.
- Now, only Barr can approve investigations into a presidential candidate.
- He has ordered federal lawyers to attack sanctuary cities.
- He established a special DOJ pipeline for Rudy Giuliani to provide dirt on Biden.
Time to Impeach the Attorney General?
Investigate William Barr!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY AND WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
. . . Trump is perverting the rule of law. Trump fired Lt. Col Vindman for telling Congress the truth but coddles Roger Stone for lying to Congress. If the President is allowed to manipulate the criminal justice system with the Attorney General’s willing assistance, our rule of law collapses. Ask the Senator to demand that:
- The House and Senate begin an investigation of the Attorney General and consider impeaching him
- The House and Senate call witnesses, including the four government prosecutors who just resigned
- Barr faces a legal ethics complaint with the Bar Association
Thank you.”
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR RON WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
. . . Trump is perverting the rule of law. Trump fired Lt. Col Vindman for telling Congress the truth but coddles Roger Stone for lying to Congress. If the President is allowed to manipulate the criminal justice system with the Attorney General’s willing assistance, our rule of law collapses. Ask Greg to demand that:
- The House and Senate begin an investigation of the Attorney General and consider impeaching him
- The House and Senate call witnesses, including the four government prosecutors who just resigned
- Barr faces a legal ethics complaint with the Bar Association
Even after announcing his retirement, Greg continues to signal his full support for trumpism, regardless of how much damage Trump is doing to our democracy and to world stability. Know that we are still here and will continue working to flip ORD2 Blue in 2020.
Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDENDC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Film Screening, “1948: Creation and Catastrophe” – Ashland
February 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-film-screening-1948-creation-and-catastrophe-ashland/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Immigration Panel and Discussion – Medford
February 15 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-immigration-panel-and-discussion-medford/
V-DAY 2020 and One Billion Rising – Ashland
February 16 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/v-day-2020-and-one-billion-rising-ashland/
Rogue Indivisible Member Meeting – Grants Pass
February 16 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/rogue-indivisible-general-meeting-grants-pass/
Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate Watch Party – Medford
February 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/democratic-presidential-candidates-debate-watch-party-medford-3/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: POW! Field Organizer Training – Ashland
February 29 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-pow-field-organizer-training-ashland/
ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign
As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign. Click on the image below to donate.
To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535
ORD2 Indivisible is partnering with Jobs With Justice Southern Oregon and Washington Federal Bank to gather warm adult clothing for the homeless. We are also asking for tarps, throw blankets and sleeping bags.
Please donate generously!
SOURCES:
Politico, Feb. 11, 2020: “Prosecutors seek 7 to 9 years in prison for Roger Stone” https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/10/prosecutors-prison-roger-stone-113542
New York Times, Feb 11, 2020: “Justice Dept. to Seek Shorter Sentence for Roger Stone, Overruling Its Prosecutors” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/11/us/politics/roger-stone-sentencing.html
Washington Post, Feb. 11, 2020: “Prosecutors quit amid escalating Justice Dept. fight over Roger Stone’s prison term” https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-dept-to-reduce-sentencing-recommendation-for-trump-associate-roger-stone-official-says-after-president-calls-it-unfair/2020/02/11/ad81fd36-4cf0-11ea-bf44-f5043eb3918a_story.html
NPR, Jan. 23 2020: “Attorney General William Barr’s Unwavering Support Of Trump, Explained” https://www.npr.org/2020/01/23/798865750/attorney-general-william-barrs-unwavering-support-of-trump-explained
Washington Post, May 16, 2019: “How William Barr, now serving as a powerful ally for Trump, has championed presidential powers” https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-william-barr-now-serving-as-a-powerful-ally-for-trump-has-championed-presidential-powers/2019/05/14/418fe6d4-727f-11e9-9eb4-0828f5389013_story.html
New York Times, Nov. 22 2019: “Barr’s Legal Views Come Under Fire From Conservative-Leaning Lawyers” https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/us/politics/barr-critics.html
NPR, Feb. 6, 2020: “Attorney General Barr Issues New Rules For Politically Sensitive Investigations” https://www.npr.org/2020/02/06/803506238/attorney-general-barr-issues-new-rules-for-politically-sensitive-investigations
New York Times, Feb. 10, 2020: “Justice Dept. Will Accept Material From Giuliani, but Barr Voices Caution” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/us/politics/barr-giuliani-ukraine.html
The Hill, Feb. 10, 2020: “Barr announces ‘significant escalation’ against ‘sanctuary’ localities” https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/482425-barr-announces-significant-escalation-against-sanctuary-cities
