Former President Donald Trump’s supporters are crying foul over Attorney General Merrick Garland’s claim that a “speedy trial” would be in the public’s best interest.
Speaking earlier this week to CNN about the federal government’s election subversion case against Trump, the AG argued that expediting the case would be in the public’s best interest.
He posited the argument after a CNN interviewer noted that most Republicans believe the former president is being targeted for political reasons.
Listen:
“Does it concern you that this public perception exists, and what can you do to kind of change that?” Evan Perez asked.
“Of course it concerns me,” Garland replied. “What we have to do is show by the acts that we take that we’re following the law, that we’re following the facts.”
“The prosecutions that you’re talking about were brought last year, and the special prosecutor has said from the beginning that he thinks public interest requires a speedy trial, which I agree with. And the matter is now in the hands of the trial judge to determine when the trial will take place,” he added.
But critics say this is problematic because it denies Trump his due process rights.
“The accelerated timeline has raised constitutional concerns because the Sixth Amendment not only guarantees a defendant the right to a ‘speedy and public trial,’ but it also guarantees the accused the right to prepare a complete defense,” Chris Enloe of Blaze News notes.
“The question then becomes whether giving Trump only seven months to prepare a defense will protect his due process rights,” he continues.
Critics say the answer to that is a resounding no.
“The Sixth Amendment bestows the right to a speedy trial for the defendant,” one critic tweeted. “Not for the ‘public interest.’ Not for the prosecutors. Trump is not above the law. But he’s not below it, either. He has a right to due process. Not a fast food drive thru court proceeding.”
See more responses below:
The defendant has a right to a speedy trial. Not the government.
And not the media.
— Sean Ross Callaghan (@seanrcallaghan) January 19, 2024
He doesn’t want a speedy trial, he wants a speedy conviction! He’s afraid more inconvenient facts come out just like the Fanny FIASCO!
— Heidi Krueger (@HeidiKrueger1) January 19, 2024
Speedy trial doctrine is for the benefit of the defense not the prosecution! Get this joker outta DC. Thankfully this fool is not on SCOTUS.
— Notlika Bird – Nocomo Pajaro (@NotlikaBird) January 19, 2024
Speedy is a benefit of the accused. The prosecutor shouldn’t be pushing for a speedy trial if it results in an unjust verdict. The prosecutor should be pushing for justice and fairness in the process only. The defendant should be able to defend himself!
— Hotdog (@stahawg) January 19, 2024
#MerrickGarland wants to force a speedy trial on President #Trump to interfere in the election but has denied due process or a trial to innocent Jan6 rally goers for nearly 4 YEARS and they’re still being held with no bail no hearing no trial and no charges #ImpeachGarland
— Dea Riley (@DeaRileyKY) January 20, 2024
According to critics, Garland’s “speedy trial” remarks are also problematic because they indicate he’s trying to interfere in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
“Garland is openly admitting he approves in the interference of an election,” one critic tweeted. “The Government does NOT have a right to a speedy trial, that right belongs to a defendant. The Gov waited 30 months to bring charges, now they want to rush. The rush is to interfere in the election.”
“The timing of these trials is incredible, considering they could have brought charges against Trump long ago but decided to do it right before the election to screw him over,” another critic wrote. “This administration continues to stick it to the American people in every way possible.”
See more responses below:
ELECTION INTERFERENCE!
— durable deplorable (@SaneBoomer) January 19, 2024
IF TRUMPS DOJ DID THIS IT WOULD BE ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!
— CPH (@98reddawg) January 19, 2024
Election interference No Doubt! Same for Bryan Kemp dismissing @RepMTG petition to investigate Fat Fani’s abuse of taxpayer dollars and the DA office.
— BeachTrip (@BeachTrip2024) January 20, 2024
It’s almost like he put out these indictments just to interfere with the election. And he doesn’t want the show trials AFTER it. He’s not even trying to hide the political motivation.
— Fallout Dave (@Fallout5Dave) January 19, 2024
Election Theft. Simple as that.
Next stop, are we going to send our votes via text? Joe Biden and the left would certainly prefer that.
Traitors.— Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForSOS) January 19, 2024
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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