OP-ED: Trump’s Alleged Crimes Tower Above His Political Opponents’

The right-wing whataboutism regarding Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama doesn’t withstand scrutiny

As the legal battles surrounding former President Donald Trump intensify, it’s becoming increasingly evident that his legacy will not be one of mere controversy, but of criminality. The litany of charges and indictments against him paint a picture of a man who has repeatedly skirted the boundaries of the law, if not outright trampled over them. Facing 88 charges in four trials over matters ranging from attempted election fraud to stealing the nation’s top secrets, Trump's rap sheet is extensive.

Yet, Trump and his supporters continually attempt to deflect blame onto political rivals, in particular Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. However, such comparisons quickly fall apart under scrutiny. Let's examine these claims to illustrate the contrast between Trump's alleged criminality and the unsubstantiated accusations against his political adversaries.

DONALD TRUMP

The ongoing trials provide a window into the depths of Trump's alleged criminal behavior. In New York, he faces charges of business fraud, accused of orchestrating a scheme to conceal reimbursements to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for hush money paid to Stormy Daniels. Despite pleading not guilty, the mounting evidence against him, including the testimony of Cohen and ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, suggests a rock-solid case.

Similarly, the federal indictment in Florida unveils a disturbing disregard for national security, with Trump accused of unlawfully retaining classified documents post-presidency. The sheer audacity of storing such sensitive materials in various locations at Mar-a-Lago speaks volumes about his cavalier attitude towards the law.

Trump's involvement in election interference cases raises serious concerns about the integrity of democracy. The charges stemming from his efforts to undermine the 2020 election results, both in Georgia and at the federal level, strike at the heart of democratic norms. His relentless spread of lies about election fraud, culminating in the January 6 Capitol attack, represents a blatant assault on the foundations of American governance.

But Trump's criminality extends beyond these ongoing cases. The Mueller Report's findings on obstruction of justice during the Russia investigation cast a shadow over his presidency, implicating him in a web of deceit and manipulation. While he may have escaped direct indictment, as Mueller left it up to Congress to decide his fate, the convictions of several of Trump’s closest advisors including Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn highlight the culture of corruption that permeated his campaign and administration.

Trump's history of financial fraud, including the recent civil case loss in New York of $454 million, speaks to a pattern of deceit that spans decades. From inflating his assets to obtain loans to deflating them to reduce tax liabilities, Trump's business practices epitomize the very definition of white-collar crime.

Even allegations of sexual misconduct, though not resulting in criminal charges, paint a damning portrait of Trump's character. The recent defamation case loss of $83 million to E. Jean Carroll underscores the credibility of these accusations, revealing a man willing to use his power and influence to silence his accusers.

JOE BIDEN

Accusations against Joe Biden, particularly regarding Ukraine and China, have been fervently pushed by Republicans, alleging misuse of influence and familial ties for personal gain. In the case of Ukraine, claims assert that Biden, during his vice presidency, pressured the Ukrainian government to dismiss a prosecutor probing a company linked to his son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for foreign aid. However, thorough investigations have debunked these allegations, revealing no substantial evidence of wrongdoing by Biden. Instead, his actions were consistent with established U.S. foreign policy objectives, aligned with the stance of numerous Western governments and organizations, and targeted a prosecutor widely perceived as corrupt.

Similarly, assertions of Biden's alleged connections to China have generated controversy, with Republicans insinuating that familial financial interests may have compromised his approach to the country. Despite the fervor surrounding these claims, no concrete evidence has emerged linking Hunter Biden's business dealings in China to Joe Biden's policy decisions. The lack of substantiated proof underscores the speculative nature of these allegations, which seem more designed to sow doubt and confusion than to address genuine concerns about political integrity.

Perhaps the strongest accusations against Joe Biden regarded his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Reports suggested that Biden "willfully" retained and disclosed highly classified materials, some of which were allegedly stored in his garage during his time as a private citizen. Though he was critical of Biden’s memory lapses, Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded that no criminal charges against him were warranted. The report underscored Biden's cooperation with authorities and drew a clear distinction between his case and Trump's.

HILLARY CLINTON

Allegations surrounding Hillary Clinton have long been a subject of political intrigue, particularly regarding her use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. Accusations suggest she mishandled classified information, yet multiple investigations, including by the FBI, found no evidence of criminal intent or wrongdoing. While Clinton's use of a private server breached protocol, it did not result in criminal charges, debunking the narrative of deliberate malfeasance.

Similarly, the Benghazi attack has been a focal point of criticism aimed at Clinton, with accusations of negligence and incompetence regarding security measures leading up to the tragic incident in 2012. However, numerous investigations, including by the Republican-led House Select Committee on Benghazi, found no evidence of deliberate wrongdoing or negligence by Clinton. While security measures were deemed insufficient, the blame was not solely placed on her shoulders, debunking assertions of her culpability.

Furthermore, allegations surrounding the Clinton Foundation have stirred controversy, with claims of pay-to-play arrangements between the foundation and foreign entities during Clinton's time as Secretary of State. While some interactions between foundation donors and the State Department raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, no concrete evidence of pay-to-play arrangements has been found.

BARACK OBAMA

The Obama administration faced its fair share of controversies, including what Trump labeled “the biggest political crime in American history” (even though he couldn’t explain what it was). Dubbed "Obamagate," accusations swirled regarding the administration's purported surveillance of the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. Despite Trump's inflammatory rhetoric, investigations, including those by the Department of Justice Inspector General, have debunked these claims. No evidence of politically motivated spying on the Trump campaign by the Obama administration has been found. Surveillance warrants were obtained through legal channels with proper oversight. In fact, Obama reportedly expressed concerns about Russian interference in the election and sought bipartisan cooperation to address it, highlighting a commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

Another controversy that dogged the Obama administration was the IRS targeting controversy, which alleged that the agency unfairly scrutinized conservative political groups applying for tax-exempt status. While it's true that certain groups faced heightened scrutiny, investigations revealed no evidence of political bias or directives from the Obama administration to target conservative organizations. Instead, the issue appeared to stem from broader IRS practices, with similar scrutiny applied to liberal-leaning groups.

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In summary, the extensive legal entanglements of Donald Trump stand in stark contrast to the largely unproven allegations levied against his political counterparts. Trump's numerous charges paint a troubling picture of a leader who regularly flouts the law with impunity. Despite attempts to shift blame onto figures like Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, investigations have consistently failed to substantiate claims of criminality against them.

Last week, Trump’s lawyers argued before the Supreme Court that the president is immune from prosecution relating to their official actions in office. It's no wonder why Trump seeks to elevate himself above the law, given the frequency with which he appears to have skirted or violated it. Only by remaining vigilant and upholding the rule of law can we safeguard the integrity of our democratic institutions and ensure that no one, regardless of their position in society, is exempt from accountability.