ThinkProgress: How One Woman Could Hit The Reset Button In The Case Against Darren Wilson

[branford]

57. No, but that doesn't answer my question.

We weren't discussing the wishes or intentions of the "oligarchy," nor the advantages or disadvantages of race riots. We were commenting, however, on the viability and advisability of the DOJ pursuing federal criminal civil rights charges.

The Obama administration has been heavily criticized about the Trayvon Martin, Brown and now Garner matters, particularly among much of the Democratic minority base. Both the president and AG Holder have even made personal statements about these matters, including discussing federal investigations. The lack of both state and federal indictments in any or all of these matters makes the administration look powerless and largely irrelevant.

In light of the above, if the available evidence was actually sufficient for federal charges (a high burden), the administration has much to gain politically, and little else to lose, by actively and publicly pursuing federal trials. I would think such a simply calculus to be uncontroversial.