Former prosecutor pursued by Trump calls for crackdown on election lies: ‘Lying can be held to account’
Summary
Andrew Weissmann, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and FBI general counsel, calls for strong laws to punish politicians who lie about elections because such lies can harm democracy. He suggests a new law to make election falsehoods punishable, pointing to examples from other countries where election lies have legal consequences.Key Facts
- Andrew Weissmann was a key prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.
- Weissmann argues that politicians should face legal consequences if their lies damage democratic processes.
- He proposes a "Truth in Elections Act" based on existing laws like the Stolen Valor Act, which punishes lying about military honors.
- Weissmann points to Brazil and the UK as examples where election lies led to serious consequences for political figures.
- He acknowledges concerns about free speech but believes that falsehoods can and should be limited without harming democracy.
- Weissmann criticizes the focus on loyalty over expertise in appointments during President Trump’s second administration.
- He compares Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election being stolen to tactics used by criminals who avoid accountability.
- Weissmann teaches at NYU and works as a legal analyst, continuing to comment on U.S. politics and justice issues.
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