The Biden team is making terrible excuses for keeping Trump's secrets buried

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
Greg Sargent
@ThePlumLineGS
Administration officials are offering a new excuse for fighting release of Trump's tax returns and the DOJ memo on Trump obstruction: We must restore normalcy. This is a terrible excuse: Normalcy without accountability isn't worthy of the name. New piece:

Opinion | The Biden team is making terrible excuses for keeping Trump’s secrets buried
From William Barr's machinations to Trump's tax returns, we need full accountability.
washingtonpost.com
7:47 AM · Jun 2, 2021

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/06/02/biden-blocking-trump-documents-barr-doj/

As the Biden administration increasingly resists pressure to release various documents that would shed light on the depths of Donald Trump’s corruption, you’ll be hearing a key excuse a lot: We need to restore normalcy.

It’s a terrible excuse. And we shouldn’t stand for it.

In an important piece, CNN reports that congressional Democrats are increasingly pessimistic that the Biden administration will release some highly sought documents that would help settle some big unanswered questions involving the former president.

CNN has new details on the thinking of administration officials here: They say release will hamper the restoration of normalcy by re-litigating past battles.

This won’t do. Helping conceal Trump’s misdeeds from public view will not restore normalcy. The opposite is true: Lack of transparency will help prevent a restoration of normalcy. That is, it will help prevent a restoration of normalcy we should actually value.

Two sets of documents are at issue here. First, the Justice Department is under pressure to release a legal memo detailing Attorney General William P. Barr’s “rationale” for not charging Trump, after the special counsel examining the Russia scandal documented that Trump likely committed extensive criminal obstruction of justice.

*snip*

[FoxNewsSucks]

1. WTH???

That's not what we want or voted for.

The country needs accountability and consequences.

[lagomorph777]

9. +1000 We can't have any normalcy if we let the crooks go.

Normal is when crooks go to jail.

Abnormal is when you leave them free to plot bigger crimes.

[3Hotdogs]

115. --- same bullshit reasoning as when Ford gave Nixon a full pardon

without even knowing what crimes the piece of shit committed. It was about bringing the country together.

Or how about Nancy when McChimp was president and she took over as speaker --- "Impeachment is off the table."

Or Eric Holder (useless fuck) on investigating the Bush administration or bankers during the 2007- 2008 meltdown. At least bankers went to prison because of their actions leading to the Savings and Loan scandal during the Reagan administration.

[secondwind]

2. I trust this POTUS. I'm certain there is a very good reason they are doing this.

It’s frightening

[Botany]

13. "I trust this POTUS"

I think the reason behind this is that Bill Barr along with Trump are under active criminal investigation
by the DoJ.

[triron]

40. I am doubtful. Why would they be talking about 'restoring normalcy'. Doesn't sound like they are

trying to keep an investigation 'secret' to me.

[Botany]

47. I trust Joe and A.G. Merrick Garland on this.

They have earned it.

[secondwind]

66. I feel the same way.

[Botany]

78. Joe not only was a sentor but he was a law professor for number of years too.

Both Trump & Merrick know the truth and want to see justice done and I think the
A.G. wants to go after Barr on his misdeeds but it might be if he shows his hand too
fast he might hurt his case down the line.

[MyOwnPeace]

86. Remember those DOJ people outside

applauding the arrival of their new boss, Merrick Garland? It was a heart-warming scene, a scene that left one feeling that "justice" is back and will once again honor the rules of law.

Remember those people?

I'd like to hear THEIR thoughts about how things are going now..............

[PatSeg]

89. And Joe and Merrick know things

that we don't. I'm usually not terribly trusting, especially after the last four years, but I do trust Biden on this.

[ShazzieB]

91. This is an excellent point, and one that's easy to overlook.

I try to remind myself at times like this that there's a lot we don't know. Not just about the immediate issue, but the broader context and what the long term game plan may be.

We think we can see what's happening, but in reality, we only see a part of it. We see an action, but we don't see everything that's behind it. We don't know the real reasons for a decision unless they tell us, and we should not assume that what they do tell us is the whole story.

[PatSeg]

97. Prosecutors don't publicly reveal all their evidence

or details of an investigation for obvious reasons. Until we know the reasons behind a decision(s), we cannot judge them. Maybe later we will disagree with how everything was handled, but for right now, we have too little information to understand what they are doing.

After the nightmare of Trump, we are all still a bit reactionary when we hear stories like this one. Being suspicious of the justice department during the Trump administration was completely understandable, but we have principled, competent people in charge now.

[Botany]

94. Joe, Merrick, and the K-Bomb know the law.

I might be dumber than burnt toast but I think Barr broke some laws in his and Rosenstein's handling of and roll out of the Mueller investigation. Speed is not what is needed now but thoughtful and calculated moves by grown ups who know their stuff is what is needed.


The Thanksgiving Turkey takes time.

[PatSeg]

98. I agree

Thorough and deliberate beats speedy and shoddy. Whatever they do, we want it to stick.

[Cymande]

118. I trust the Biden administration to get this right

I trust the Biden administration to get this right Because they have done a good job so far. I like to slow and deliberate approach. I hope they don’t screw this up, but I don’t think they will.

[PatSeg]

119. Yes

The Biden administration has principles and competence on its side. They may make mistakes as we all do, but it won't be for the wrong reasons.

Welcome to DU!

[Cymande]

120. Thanks I am very glad to be here.

I love this place. It’s nice to be around so many like-minded individuals.

[PatSeg]

121. I know how you feel

[Griefbird]

85. "Return to normalcy" was the theme of Herbert Hoover's term in office

that led to the Great Republican Depression. It was normalcy that got us into this mess. A better goal is to escape from normalcy.

[slumcamper]

101. No--actually it was W.G. Harding's campaign slogan...

Last thing the admin s/b doing is channeling Harding with its slogans!!!!

[Maraya1969]

100. So you are saying Trump's tax returns and Barr's memos are being used in the Grand Jury

and opening them up to the public right now might taint the jury or cause some problem with the concept of being tried in the court of public opinion?

Do you think they just want to keep the Grand Jury process as pristine as they can?

[usaf-vet]

41. Isn't that what the GQP meme has been since 2016?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

108. What?

[KS Toronado]

67. There is a very good reason why they are doing this.

There is something the DOJ/FBI doesn't want made public knowledge about Qrump & his inner circle. Wheels of
justice turn slow but never the less they are turning. They need to reel in the little fish first so they'll get them
to rat out the bigger fish. Transparency will come soon enough, and maybe they're timing it to the 2022 midterms
to kill the reQublican party. I trust Joe & Merrick know what they are doing and why.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. President Biden, what could you be thinking?

We need to restore normalcy, yes, but you're not doing it right.

We need transparency.

[Evolve Dammit]

33. YES!!! TRANSPARENCY. x1,000,000,000. No "Normalcy" Things are NOT NORMAL and must be dealt with.

[KS Toronado]

70. Per the above article......

"CNN has new details on the thinking of administration officials here: They say release will hamper the restoration of normalcy"

This is CNN's BS to keep their viewers tuned in to their reporting. This administration never used those words, CNN
is guessing and the sad part is they know why some things need to be kept from public view until the timing is
right. That is if I read the article correctly.

[Evolve Dammit]

80. We are in the dark until actions occur. Just hope we don't do what DOJ did after Bush/Cheney. Nuthin

[orangecrush]

103. +1

[orangecrush]

104. +1

[Laura PourMeADrink]

109. +1,000,000

[Boomerproud]

4. A terrible miscalculation on the Biden teams' part.p

These are dangerous times, for the millionth time, and they don't seem to be up to the task at hand.

[uponit7771]

5. This is a "sources say" article, I'd like to hear the "...re-litigating past battles..." from Biden

... officials themselves.

Right now we know the wheels of justice need to be deliberate and since Putin's Whore is a potential opponent of Biden's it needs the I's dotted and T's crossed to put his ass in jail.

I can understand the US not wanting to be some of the countries where the opposition party who's lost is always being put in jail.

[marble falls]

15. Bingo!

[KPN]

49. Well, the CNN info says the source is Democratic

members of Congress. I’d at least like to hear it directly from them. That would be good enough for me.

[uponit7771]

60. +1

[bamagal62]

6. I agree.

And it’s starting to piss me off. I want transparency and accountability. It’s infuriating.

[The Magistrate]

7. I Agree, Ma'am

Normalcy is restored by exposing and punishing aberrant criminals.

Nor is there any reason to worry about 'setting a precedent' the other side might use. They will do what they conceive to benefit their christo-fascist project regardless of what we may or may not do..

[ScratchCat]

8. Trump's Tax returns

Were never going to be released publicly in the first place. Further, Congress' only justification for them was related to him being POTUS. They need to drop it at this point and let DOJ do its job. Continuing to push for his returns to have an investigation/hearings on looks 100% political and hurts DOJ's effort.

Its been explained why DOJ is appealing the ruling on the Barr memo and it has to do with the internal workings of DOJ. While I want to see the full, unredacted version, I understand why this would bother DOJ and potentially set a very bad precedent.

[jimfields33]

20. I want to see IRS personnel go down as well IF fraud is found

There’s no excuse for the IRS to turn a blind eye if they see fraud during an audit or heck when the tax paperwork arrives and the first person opens the envelope and was looked at and reviewed. I’m sure hundreds of IRS personnel look at for seal of approval before it’s archived. At least investigate everyone of those reviewers to see if anything sinister when on.

[Justice matters.]

71. The IRS is going after drumpf since 2012 for a $72M "refund" it did not "qualify" for...

And of course drumpf doesn't want to send it back...

[jimfields33]

87. Holy crap! What happened to force it from bank account?

If you or I did this, we’d have it taken so quick. Also probably invested at least.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

110. So trump said he's been audited every year. Michael

Cohen said he asked for audit notification from IRS and trump never came up with one. So if trump lied, why didn't IRS look at the person who got the biggest refund in the US. If he WAS under audit, WTH IRS? We're you totally understaffed? Did you hide stuff?

[KPN]

51. I don't understand the DOJ piece at all. Perhaps you can explain it to me

better than what I’ve seen thus far — which didn’t impress me enough to even remember it specifically.

[StarfishSaver]

10. This thread is an excellent example of the point I made elsewhere

Biden is regularly criticized for not doing what people want fast enough, just as your OP and the comments did. But so far, no one making such criticisms in this thread has been attacked, called an "asshole" or dismissed as "Cornel West, Jr."

There's something about a Black man expressing frustration that triggers a reaction that white people expressing similar anger does not.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215485696

[marble falls]

18. It's a good point. Some DUers definately have their 'slip showing'.

[KPN]

52. Hmmm ... food for thought for sure.

Question for clarification: when you say “black man” are you referring to author (Greg Sargent in this case) or the OP and/or other posters on the thread?

[StarfishSaver]

59. I was referring to Jason Johnson, whom people in the thread I linked attacked for criticizing Biden

he was called a "loud-mouthed agitator," and "asshole," and "Cornel West, Jr."

[KPN]

63. Ah ... I missed the link. Thx!

[frazzled]

11. Primary source?

Where and when did the administration say “we must restore normalcy,” and with respect to what?

[Budi]

17. Good question!

Waiting for WaPo to answer....

[dalton99a]

12. Corruption, criminal conspiracy, insurrection, treason are not normal.

[Budi]

14. Ya. I'm going with President Biden on this one.

He's not giving anything away till all is complete.

Be certain that some are desperate & just itchin to know what Team Biden has uncovered.
Joe ain't giving up the goods.

[Rebl2]

16. It's not

Biden’s place to do this. It’s the DOJ responsibility.

[Budi]

19. Ya. Biden's DOJ.

[notinkansas]

23. Maybe, but if restoring normalcy is the rationale,

that sounds more like giving a pardon than letting the wheels of justice churn. The attempt to restore normalcy without accountability makes peoples' hair stand on end.

[Budi]

27. Ummm..where does it say "Pardon"? And who said it?

The un-named secret Sources?

Truth is, we have not even a teeny smidge of the data the DOJ has.

I'd hate to compromise the entire case against tRump Org & all within that massive file of corruption by satisfying the foot stompin of the public.

[notinkansas]

35. Clearly nothing says 'pardon'.

The statement about returning to normalcy would in effect be almost equivalent to a pardon.

A statement to the effect of 'pending investigations' would be less jarring than a wishful statement about normalcy with regard to DOJ inaction.

[Justice matters.]

74. Who said "returning to normalcy" (we want names, or one name).

Are we going to criticize a Joe Biden & Kamala Harris administration based on anonymous "he said-she said" sources??

[notinkansas]

79. According to Greg Sargent

it was 'administration officials'. You're right about that not being a name, but I think that of late we seldom get any more than that - which is unfortunate.

[Justice matters.]

81. IF that was the case, there COULD be many "untold" reasons for it, like, for example...

... "maybe" waiting to see exactly "where" the NYDA Special GRAND JURY investigation would lead??

IF it leads to getting the drumpf mob in jail, THEN release everything ... WOULD be a good idea.

Just ONE possibility. But we don't know the REAL reasons. Why not just wait and see?

Kamala Harris is not going to go along with such BS (said by who? A drumpf remnant? To make Biden look bad?)

[notinkansas]

83. I agree that there could be many reasons for the Administration

choosing to be less than transparent about these things.

"Administration officials are offering a new excuse for fighting release of Trump's tax returns and the DOJ memo on Trump obstruction: We must restore normalcy."

But I don't believe that restoring normalcy is one of them. It's a supremely bad choice of words.

[jaxexpat]

117. Unless normal is hiding bad stuff

[KPN]

56. Normalcy could just be letting DOJ do it's job rather

than being micromanaged in this case.

Having said that, I do feel that transparency on the Barr memo and redacted portions of the Mueller Report is warranted.

[notinkansas]

58. I dunno about the equivalency of normalcy and DOJ just doing its job.

In this scenario they sound like opposites to me.

[uponit7771]

26. +1, Biden has earned the benefit of the doubt

[Budi]

21. "Sources say..."

😴

[TigressDem]

22. Release to PROSECUTION, YES. General Public? Not yet. WHY???

We do NOT want to give tRUMP any legal excuse that he didn't get a "fair" trial. (Think Derek Chauvin appeal due to 1 juror pic in a BLM T-Shirt) (Wahhh, I can't get a "fair" trial, I've already been judged as guilty by the public.)

BUT GIVE THE JUDGES EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO THROW HIM IN JAIL FOR LIFE AND THROW AWAY THE KEY.

Let him see that actions have consequences.

[Bettie]

24. People wonder why some feel downcast

and less hopeful than we "should"...well, it seems that this is all going to be swept under the rug.

So, the next right wing criminal will know for certain that there are never any consequences for anything.

Restoring normalcy was the reason for ignoring criminal activity in other administrations as well. That led to Agent Orange.

Perhaps we'll see some movement, some of it not being let go for the sake of "normalcy", but I'm kind of doubtful at this point.

[NNadir]

25. The caterwaling here kind of reminds me of what Lincoln went...

...through during the US Civil War.

Only a fool telegraphs his every move, and fires on impulse.

Timing, as Lincoln mastered during his great Presidency when the country was in far more danger than we see now, is everything.

A way to relax might include sitting down, perhaps with a nice glass of wine, with a nice history book or a biography to learn about how and why things worked out as they did in the first half of the 1860s.

[Budi]

30. K & R Thank You!

[StarfishSaver]

31. Exactly

I'm always amazed at how people believe that they're supposed to be apprised of every move in advance and if they haven't been given full briefings on the detailed strategy, that means there's no plan.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

106. My guess is that we've heard that a million times and

the person/entity never really had a "secret plan" . Starting with Fitzmas and has continued for years. Don't worry about Mueller... He's got it ALL on track. Don't worry about Pelosi, she knows what she's doing (and former guy got worse and worse until in his very last days he tried to overthrow the fucking government) Like an endless litany.

A good citizenship questions ALL. Regardless of how much we like and admire our leadership. A failing government/party influenced by paid and unpaid disrupters squelches all debate. And demands blind obedience.

[KPN]

57. Excellent observation and suggestion. Of course,

that’s my objective self speaking; and I really do believe that sometimes subjectivity is fully warranted. I’m on the fence in this case so I’m going to follow your suggestion. Now, where’s the wine?!

[empedocles]

114. Excellent

[Baitball Blogger]

28. We need answers. Biden would be making a big mistake following in Obama's footsteps,

giving the past administration a pass.

[llashram]

29. I just hope

nay pray that this will not be some "move on" bsBS...yet I will make a choice to have faith in our POTUS and his team to bring justice to hundreds of thousands of families of people who have died because of the prior administration's wilful incompetence and spread of racial/cultural hate.

[Fiendish Thingy]

32. Is it really "the Biden team" that is resisting, or remnants of the Trump administration?

AFAIK, Garland didn’t sign off on the motion to block release of the Barr memo.

[Kablooie]

34. Normalcy should be ensuring accountability.

If someone breaks norms they should suffer consequences. That’s normalcy.

[Evolve Dammit]

36. FCS we can't even get an un-redacted Mueller report. I'm losing faith big time.

[dflprincess]

37. Every time we let them off the next one is worse

Nixon, Reagan, Bush I, Bush Ii, and now Trump?

This will not help Biden achieve his goals.

[Mr. Sparkle]

38. And this is why the Repugs keep on getting worse...

they are never held to account for their abuses in government.

as a rule of thumb , the Democrats need to hold the Gop to a higher standard than they hold us.

[LizBeth]

39. They did this with Buscho, that is what allowed Trump.

[KG]

42. I was in the 'keep that powder dry' camp, but

lately joined the 'playing chess whilst other play checkers' faction. I am open to offers from 'the hill you want to die on' cabal

[Wounded Bear]

43. Releasing some of this stuff early could scotch the investigations...

I'm kind of OK with this for now.

[Richard D]

44. This sucks.

Transparency and accountability. Crimes need punishment. Without that, the new normalcy becomes one in which heinous crimes at the highest level of government become acceptable.

[ZonkerHarris]

45. Let's call it what it is: covering up for Trump and his crony's crimes.

[intheflow]

46. "Normalcy" resulted in 45 being elected.

Fuck normalcy. Normalcy is code for “moving on.” It’s what gave us the end of Reconstruction which allowed the KKK to rise and Jim Crow to flourish. Bad, bad take by Biden Administration.

[Warpy]

48. They might release them during one of the pertinent investigations

but only behind closed doors.

I think the reasoning is that they don't want to set s precedent for an incoming administration attacking an outgoing administration, a dangerous thing to do while the Republicans still exist as a party. Remember, they impeached Clinton over nothing in retaliation for the near impeachment of Nixon 20 years earlier. They live for spite.

[quaint]

55. And made Hillary a target of their spite forever.

[SheltieLover]

50. Stop worrying about precedent.

If dump & All aren't remanded to custody, vigorously prosecuted & harsh sentences doled out, we will not have a democracy.

Let's have Justice for once!

[Crunchy Frog]

53. This is what I was afraid would happen. It's like refusing surgery to remove a malignant tumor.

Good luck with that.

[CaptainTruth]

54. IMHO, total BS & more Biden Bashing.

When was it ever the goal to release tax returns to the public? They were subpoenaed by investigators as part of investigations. Subpoenaed evidence isn't automatically released to the public, that's not how our justice system works & folks like Greg Sargent should know that.

If tax returns or any other documentation is submitted as part of a court filing, whatever is in PACER will be publicly available, just like it always is.

[SayItLoud]

61. My solution to them:

I donated MUCH more $$$$ to Dems up and down the ticket in 2020. I am on so many state, local and National "loyal supporter lists" it makes my head swim as they barrage me with "we need you more than ever" solicitations. My comment back to them is now: " I don't contribute until Biden and the DOJ starts holding tRUMP and the insurrectionists accountable at EVERY level". I feel I have PAID for answers to why Barr lied, tRUMP stole etc etc etc. Until the administration holds them accountable not one friggin dime more from me. Just sayin.. Twitter, FB, IG, all social media accounts hear from me on this point.

[PatrickforB]

62. While it is laudable the Biden administration is focusing on moving forward,

they should simply be releasing these documents when asked without comment.

As to normalcy, we are close to losing our democracy for good. Normalcy without accountability is meaningless.

[samnsara]

64. after having a dictator for 4 looooooong years i trust joe with my life...

[Kid Berwyn]

65. Keeping our powder dry since 2000.

At least.

[WarGamer]

68. It's about precedent.

Break the rules now and President Haley, Noem, DeSantis or Trump v2.0 will certainly abuse it.

[SamsDrink]

69. This was the same stance Obama took refusing to investigate the Bush Administration

For war crimes and lying to get the go-ahead to invade Iraq. Biden and Garland better be on the trail, or they’re guaranteeing a one-term Presidency.

[Ferrets are Cool]

72. First thought that came to my mine: Same ole, Same ole.

I am in tears here. Tears of frustration and anger.

[grantcart]

73. Complete and total nonsense

The Biden Administration should do absolutely nothing to further politicize and compromise the independence of the DOJ.

The President is prohibited from contacting the DOJ over individual cases (another impeachable Trump offense).

At most the President can inquire to the White House Counsel to discuss with the DOJ Counsel on a case. Completely improper for the White House to discuss directly with the Attorney General or anybody at DOJ

Quite disappointing how many people on our side don't understand the basics for good administration. Thank God the Biden Administration understands and is returning to rule of law.

[Justice matters.]

76. Plus, I'd wait to see what the NY DA Grand Jury investigation will result in...

Maybe once drumpf & co is in jail... release everything (and add charges later)?

[ansible]

75. So can we start criticizing Biden now or will this thread get deleted too?

[Justice matters.]

77. Criticize on "official" FACTS? Anytime.

This BS article from anonymous sources (or source) is just that: BS (until "official" sources WOULD confirm).

[RANDYWILDMAN]

82. DO your job !!! NO more cover ups :(

they know better, this pisses me off

[Deminpenn]

84. Similar to Obama deciding not to pursue the CIA's torture program

or the Bush era war crimes.

I can see why Biden doesn't want having to address Trump's corruption as it would interfere with the sweeping and needed change he plans for America. NYC/NY state will take care of Trump legally.

[Vinca]

88. My biggest fear is Trump charged with something and Biden pardoning him.

It appears that could happen based on the efforts to sweep the goods under the rug.

[Beartracks]

90. Criminals not held to account will commit further crimes -- which erodes normalcy. n/t

[tiredtoo]

92. "Re-litigating past battles"?

This battle is still going on, it is not a thing of the past!

[Hotler]

93. Before it was, "Now is not the time to point fingers."

Joe, at least get pissed.

[OnDoutside]

95. You will never have peace without truth.

[BlueJac]

96. That is how it has always happened.

That is why we don't know the truth of what happened, same old move. Time for a change!

[Blue Owl]

99. Throw the Slobfather and his goons in jail... NOW

[BobTheSubgenius]

102. On the surface, this is the issue where the administration and I part ways, more than any other.

More, by a mile and a day. There may be a good strategic reason for their position, and I would quite probably accede to their logic, were I to hear or read it.

[Trust_Reality]

105. Return to normalcy? What the hell??

Normalcy needs to be based on the rule of law. If you are going to be this stupid tell all the Dems that keep sending me fund raising emails to stop wasting my time.

[ecstatic]

107. Normalcy as in

white men protecting other white men from being held accountable for their criminal acts? Nothing about the previous 4 years was normal. Millions of Americans are now concerned that tRump is staging another coup for August. Stop fucking around, take the threat he continues to pose seriously, and hold him accountable for his past crimes! FFS! It's not rocket science.

[MOMFUDSKI]

111. Cynical me

says maybe they are ALL in on it??

[Snoopy 7]

112. Don't forget

President Obama ran under the I will make the Bush Administration accountable for the war atrocities (blablabla) and when he came to power this happened:
https://www.ccdbr.org/posts/obamas-justice-department-grants-final-immunity-to-bushs-cia-torturers-the-guardian/

This is Biden's way to quietly give the Trump Administration immunity...

[jaxexpat]

113. Somebody, somewhere. The guy who pushes the top buttons for a living has spoken,.....

even from the grave. I'm pretty sure it's the old guy (played by Melvin Douglas) in the film "Being There". Coincidence? I think not. Just too many things line up.

[flying_wahini]

116. IMO, Garland is STILL finding rot at the bottom of the hole that has been dug for

decades by Trump and his buddies. They have enough to bring it before the grand jury but with all the many players, the rot just goes on and on.
They want to find dirt on others who have been
implicated in the cover up.

Garland is the right man for the job and Joe is going to let him keep
investigating/tighten the rope as he goes. The tighter case, the better.

[burrowowl]

122. Kick