Eric Holder Says It Would Be “Simply Absurd” for Trump to Serve as President Again if Found Guilty of Mishandling Classified Documents
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served under President Barack Obama, has spoken out against the possibility of Donald Trump serving as president again if he is found guilty of mishandling classified documents. Trump is currently facing 37 counts over his alleged retention of top secret documents after leaving the White House in January 2021 and obstructing government efforts to recover them.
Damning Charges Against Trump
The charges against Trump include willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Despite these charges, Trump continues to claim his innocence and is determined to stay in the 2024 presidential contest.
Holder’s Views on the Matter
Holder expressed his views on the matter during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki.” He said that the idea of Trump being convicted, winning the election, and being sworn in as president is inconsistent with the rule of law. Holder hopes that an impeachment proceeding would be triggered if Trump were to be found guilty while in office, leading to his removal from the role.
Trump’s Refusal to Step Aside
Despite the possibility of a guilty verdict, Trump has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping aside. He told Politico that he will never leave and that he would have left prior to the original race in 2016 if it were doable.
Concerns About the Judge
Holder also expressed concern about Aileen Cannon, the judge who will preside over the case. He said that she does not have the legal acumen to oversee a case of this importance. Cannon was appointed by Trump in 2020 and was criticized for her decision to grant the former president’s request for a special master to review the documents obtained during a search of Mar-a-Lago. Her ruling was overturned by a federal appeals court. Holder hopes that Cannon will step down from the case and that a judge with more experience will be appointed.
Possible Delay Tactics
Holder also expressed concern that Cannon may use her power as a presiding judge to delay the case, pushing it past the general election and well into the primary season. He believes that this could be detrimental to the case and hopes that it will be handled swiftly and fairly.
