Liberal Forum

From what I gather, Ovomit is being pursued for treason or sedition. Unless I am wrong-then please correct me. However, under the definitions of treason and sedition, it would be extremely difficult to find him guilty. The DOJ would need a mountain of evidence to justify it. Treason is in the context of war. There was no war. Sedition requires the overthrow of government by force. There was no force. 

Don't get me wrong, I do favor some punishment if the accusations prove true. I don't know what exactly, but some kind of punishment should be assigned. However, I don't see the constitutional definition of treason and sedition being met. 

1. TreasonLegal Definition (U.S. Constitution, Article III, Section 3):“Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.”
Key Elements:

• Levying war: Actively using force or arms to try to overthrow the U.S. government.
• Giving aid and comfort: Helping a country or group that is at war with the U.S.
• Must be against the United States (not just political opposition or corruption).
• Requires either:
  • Confession in open court, or
  • Testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act.

 

2. SeditionLegal Definition (18 U.S. Code § 2384 – Seditious Conspiracy):“If two or more persons in any state…conspire to overthrow, put down, or destroy by force the government of the United States… or oppose its authority by force, they shall be guilty of seditious conspiracy.”Key Elements:

• Involves plotting or acting by force against the government’s authority.
• Includes attempts to:
  • Overthrow the government,
  • Prevent execution of U.S. laws,
  • Take government property by force.