Renowned legal scholar and Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz has shared his thoughts on the recent indictment of former President Donald Trump in Georgia, expressing worries about the potential consequences for the rule of law. Dershowitz drew parallels between Trump’s alleged actions and similar situations during the controversial 2000 presidential election involving Al Gore’s legal team.
Dershowitz noted that Gore’s team, including himself, also utilized legal avenues to challenge the election results, much like Trump’s efforts to contest the outcome of the 2020 election. “We challenged the election, and we employed strategies similar to what is happening today, and people commended us. I even published a bestselling book called ‘Supreme Injustice.’ Now, they are treating it as a criminal act,” Dershowitz expressed.
The indictment in question arises from a long-term investigation into Trump’s alleged endeavors to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. The charges include violations of various laws such as the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO Act), conspiracy, and solicitation of violations of an oath by a public officer.
Dershowitz expressed concerns about the widening of the legal scope, suggesting that political actions, even those as contentious as election disputes, should not be labeled as crimes. He stressed that historically, such matters have been resolved through legal and legislative processes rather than criminal prosecutions. “We are meant to seek resolution in courts and Congress. These things shouldn’t be treated as crimes,” Dershowitz argued.
By drawing comparisons between Trump’s phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Al Gore’s strategy, Dershowitz highlighted the similarities. “It mirrors what I did and what Professor Lawrence Tribe did, along with others who were on Al Gore’s team,” he explained. “We employed similar tactics, and Professor Tribe even wrote a legal memorandum outlining a strategy very similar to the one for which these individuals are now being indicted.”
Despite the indictment, Dershowitz remains skeptical of its significance, particularly due to a prior mishap in which the district attorney’s office mistakenly shared an indictment document before the grand jury had even voted. He emphasized that the grand jury appeared to be a mere formality, and the actual decision-making power lies with the prosecutors.
In conclusion, Dershowitz emphasized the need not to dismiss the indictment lightly and urged careful consideration of the broader implications of prosecuting election-related disputes as crimes. Preserving the integrity of the legal process is of utmost importance.