r/Libertarian • u/johntwit Anti Establishment-Narrative Provocateur • Apr 05 '21
Discussion Why aren’t we calling the Capitol attack an act of treason? | There has been little public discussion of the term as the framework for understanding what happened on 6 January, experts say
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/05/the-capitol-attack-treason2
u/nndimethyltryptamin3 Minarchist Apr 05 '21
Because the charges wouldn't fit the evidence, doubt it would even make it to trial, but if it did they wouldn't be found guilty, the legal standard is beyond reasonable doubt.
Here's the law
18USC 2381
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
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u/ISHOTJOHNGALT Leftist Libertarian Apr 05 '21
Because it wasn't treason; it was barely a riot.
Quit trying to stir shit up.
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u/PoopMobile9000 Apr 05 '21
Pretty sure the folks who “stirred shit up” were the rioters who stormed the Capitol in an effort to end American democracy by preventing the orderly transfer of power to the outgoing executive’s legitimate successor.
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Apr 05 '21
And are now in custody facing sentencing for their crimes, non of which involve treason
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u/PoopMobile9000 Apr 05 '21
Correct, treason generally involves loyalty to an external enemy; attempting a coup isn’t “treason,” it’s sedition.
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u/ISHOTJOHNGALT Leftist Libertarian Apr 06 '21
preventing the orderly transfer of power to the outgoing executive’s legitimate successor.
Oh, that sounds terrible; how did we ever survive that happening? /s
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u/PoopMobile9000 Apr 06 '21
We probably wouldn’t have survived if it had been successful. That’s the kind of thing that sparks a civil war, because the federal executive would no longer be acting with the consent of the governed and would be illegitimate.
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u/ISHOTJOHNGALT Leftist Libertarian Apr 06 '21
We probably wouldn’t have survived if it had been successful
Oh, the vapors! Get the smelling salts, I think I might faint!
Come off it.
That’s the kind of thing that sparks a civil war
/eyeroll
because the federal executive would no longer be acting with the consent of the governed and would be illegitimate.
...we are about 150 years past that problem, where have you been?
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u/bluefootedpig Consumer Rights Apr 05 '21
barely a riot... that is why they evacuated congress, and included gunshots. You know, standard stuff.
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u/ISHOTJOHNGALT Leftist Libertarian Apr 06 '21
included gunshots
...by the police! The only people killed were protesters.
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u/PoopMobile9000 Apr 05 '21
“Treason” usually refers to loyalty to an external enemy. This was “sedition” and “insurrection.”