"Just remember, you heard it here FIRST! I have inside information from credible intelligence sources, that Donald J. Trump likes to get golden showers from Russian prostitutes!"
Posted on 02/10/2017 1:33:26 PM PST by Timpanagos1
“We’ll destroy his career,” President Donald Trump said of a Texas legislator who has reportedly introduced legislation to curtail civil asset forfeiture — the practice of taking a person’s property allegedly used in the commission of a crime — unless the individual is convicted of a crime.
Trump made his remarks, which were taken as joke, at a February 7 White House meeting with sheriffs from across the country (shown). But even if the remark was not taken seriously by the sheriffs, who laughed at the “threat,” it is clearly indicative of the president’s position on the issue.
During the meeting with the sheriffs, the issue of civil asset forfeiture (CAF) was discussed at some length. Sheriff Aubrey of Jefferson County, Kentucky, raised the issue: “The other thing is asset forfeiture. People want to say we’re taking money and without due process. That’s not true. We take money from dope dealers.”
Trump then asked, “And you’re not allowed to do it now?”
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewamerican.com ...
Trump will get this right...just another, futile, attempt by the left to sever the bond between Trump and his supporters.
“Trump will get this right...just another, futile, attempt by the left to sever the bond between Trump and his supporters.”
Is the New American a leftist publication?
No, it is the publication of the John Birch Society.
“No, it is the publication of the John Birch Society.”
Apparently to some, that makes the New American a leftist publication.
Yep. The left wants to destroy due process and replace it with identity politics.We shouldn’t be agreeing with them, ever.
When an accusation—whether from the state, or an individual with ulterior motives-— leads to an automatic assumption of guilt, and forfeiture of assets, as defined by the particular social group you inhabit, we all may as well tear up the Constitution and surrender to the Blackshirts.
We can’t assume civil asset forfeiture is ok simply because our group happens to be safe right now.
This is already happening in alarming ways. If police say you’re a drug dealer, you must be guilty. A woman says you raped her 20 years ago, guilty. Some gay guys want to take everything you’ve ever worked for, you’re guilty.
"Just remember, you heard it here FIRST! I have inside information from credible intelligence sources, that Donald J. Trump likes to get golden showers from Russian prostitutes!"
Good, let's get this over with as soon as possible. So I can retire in peace!
This could be a slippery slope. CAF might well prove to be justified in court, but the a priori act of seizure strikes at the “innocent until proven” standard. Not sure Trump should be commenting w/o knowledge of specific instances. I get why LE like it - I knew a County Sheriff that was “rewarded” with a Corvette for participating in an FBI drug sting.
It’s more than a slippery slope, it’s a direct repudiation of entire legacy of Constitutional law of which the US Constitution was the ultimate product.
The 4th Amendment wasn’t written as decoration.
Just a nit, but this is part of the problem and even your mindset when commenting; if they’re found NOT guilty they’re NOT a criminal. You make the statement at the end of your post that “it’s the criminal’s choice”. The sheriff makes the same error of presumption of guilt.
It was obviously meant as a joke.
No one was named.
But it is not only U.S. Marshals who use civil forfeiture. It is not just those assets directly tied to drug dealing that are seized. The Institute for Justice has some very informative articles on how the lack of due process in the proceedings and the hunger for revenue has lead to many abuses by various law enforcement agencies as well as the IRS.
Asset forfeiture before being tried and found guilty is a box that should never have been opened. It has ruined more than its share of innocent people.
Exactly right
This issue has been a major disappointment with Abbott.
And it was not funny.
Asset Forfeiture without a criminal conviction is an abomination.
That pretense-of-law should be stopped right now.
That's my thoughts
If true, this is entirely consistent with his support of Kelo v. New Haven Connecticut in supporting the large expansion of government powers to seize private property from citizens...this is a different issue from that case, but entirely consistent viewpoint as to the powers of the government.
There are many things the President has done so far that I support - some of us are pleasantly surprised by some of those. However, it was very clear during the campaign that there were many things he is for that we should never support - his strong support of Kelo was one of those things and this is another.
I’m opposed to civil asset forfeiture and wrote a letter to Pres. Trump. Forfeiture should only result as a penalty on a guilty verdict.
We knew Sessions was a fan of “civil” “forfeiture”, and we knew Trump was a fan of eminent domain. Let’s hope they don’t show a fondness for those matters in office.
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