Lynching Donald Trump

President Donald Trump received much unfounded criticism after he commented Tuesday at Twitter that the impeachment process being pursued against him in the United States House of Representatives is a lynching.

Here is Trump’s tweet at issue:

So some day, if a Democrat becomes President and the Republicans win the House, even by a tiny margin, they can impeach the President, without due process or fairness or any legal rights. All Republicans must remember what they are witnessing here – a lynching. But we will WIN!

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate in the Democratic Party primary, presented the following response at Twitter:

Lynching is an act of terror used to uphold white supremacy. Try again.

Booker’s response is the same in substance as are many other criticisms being made by other people in regard to Trump’s tweet. The criticism by Booker and others is incorrect.

Lynching could be used “to uphold white supremacy.” So also could talking and voting. A jury’s verdict or judge’s ruling following a trial could be used to advance that objective as well.

But, lynching could instead be used in an effort to advance whatever other goals people behind the lynching support. This is recognized in the meaning of the word “lynch.” For example, look up “lynch” at merriam-webster.com and you will find this definition:

to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal approval or permission

Lynching is not an action employed now or in the past only to uphold white supremacy. Sen. Booker, try again.

Reprinted with permission from the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity.

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