This is an audio version of The Reason Livestream, which takes place every Thursday at 1 p.m. Eastern on Reason’s YouTube channel.
Reason‘s Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe sat down for a live discussion about the political and social ramifications of the indictments of Donald Trump with George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin.
“Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election well deserves punishment from the standpoint of both retribution and deterrence,” wrote Somin following the four-count indictment filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith in early August. “For the head of state in a democracy, there are few more serious crimes than using fraud to try to stay in power after losing an election.”
Somin also says “some of the charges seem compelling” in the case against Trump in Fulton County, Georgia.
Critics of the indictments have pointed out the conspicuous timing of a scheduled trial date, accused Trump’s prosecutors of trying to “criminalize speech,” and suggested that the former president is being held to a double standard. Others worry the prosecution will inspire “ever more aggressive tit-for-tat investigations.”
Sources referenced in this conversation:
“Retribution, Deterrence, and the Case for Prosecuting Trump for Conspiring to Overturn the 2020 Election,” by Ilya Somin
“The Georgia Case Against Trump,” by Ilya Somin
William Baude and Michael Stokes Paulsen on Trump’s presidential eligibility and the 14th Amendment
“FBI resisted opening probe into Trump’s role in Jan. 6 for more than a year,” by Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis
John Eastman’s memo for how to challenge the 2020 election results
“Section 3 Disqualifications for Democracy Preservation,” by Ilya Somin
Today’s sponsor:
Why We Can’t Have Nice Things. A six-part Reason podcast series about the frustrating and foolish aspects of American trade policy that make everyday items more expensive. From last year’s sudden shortages of baby formula to the Jones Act and President Lyndon Johnson’s infamous “chicken war,” host Eric Boehm sits down with industry experts and libertarian policy wonks to explore how these counterproductive rules got made—and explains why they can be so difficult to undo. BetterHelp. Are you at your best? Working with a therapist can help you get closer to the best version of you—because when you feel empowered, you’re more prepared to take on everything life throws at you. If you’re thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It’s convenient, flexible, affordable, and entirely online. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists anytime for no additional charge. If you want to live a more empowered life, therapy can get you there.
The post Ilya Somin: Should Libertarians Support the Prosecutions of Trump? appeared first on Reason.com.
