Sheer intensity

Written by

Ophelia Benson

in

Just for thoroughness, the Wall Street Journal take on Judge Parker’s ruling:

“This case was never about fraud—it was about undermining the People’s faith in our democracy and debasing the judicial process to do so,” U.S. District Judge Linda Parker in Detroit said in a 110-page ruling on Wednesday.

…

“Despite the haze of confusion, commotion, and chaos counsel intentionally attempted to create by filing this lawsuit, one thing is perfectly clear: Plaintiffs’ attorneys have scorned their oath, flouted the rules, and attempted to undermine the integrity of the judiciary along the way,” Judge Parker wrote.

…

Judge Parker said that the attorneys must pay the costs incurred by state officials and the city of Detroit related to the lawsuit. The judge also said that the attorneys must each complete at least 12 hours of continuing legal education on pleading standards and election law within six months. She also referred her findings to the attorney licensing authorities in the lawyers’ respective states “for investigation and possible suspension or disbarment.”

Northwestern University law professor Steven Lubet, a specialist in legal ethics said, “Sanction orders against lawyers are not uncommon, but this lambasting is quite unusual for its length, level of detail, and sheer intensity.”

Deservedly so.

Comments

One response to “Sheer intensity”

  1. What a Maroon Avatar
    What a Maroon

    On a somewhat related note, I saw this tidbit in Heather Cox Richardson’s dispatch today:

    And then there was this tidbit. The last items the committee asked NARA to produce were: “All documents and communications related to the January 3, 2021, letter from 10 former Defense Secretaries warning of use of the military in election disputes.”

    That letter, which was published in the Washington Post and signed by all ten of the living former defense secretaries, warned that “[e]fforts to involve the U.S. armed forces in resolving election disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory. Civilian and military officials who direct or carry out such measures would be accountable, including potentially facing criminal penalties, for the grave consequences of their actions on our republic.” The letter reminded then–acting defense secretary Christopher C. Miller and his subordinates that they were “each bound by oath, law and precedent to facilitate the entry into office of the incoming administration, and to do so wholeheartedly. They must also refrain from any political actions that undermine the results of the election or hinder the success of the new team.”

    It was an extraordinary letter, and its authors thought it was important enough to write it over the holidays, for publication three days before the January 6 electoral count. The driving force behind the letter was former vice president Dick Cheney.

    (Emphasis added.) When the Prince of Darkness is defending democracy against you, there’s a pretty decent chance that you’re a fascist.

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