By Timothy Core, Game Changer PAC
CA Democratic State Senators have introduced a resolution (SR 39) calling on the State of California to “Dump Trump”. But in doing that… they have violated Federal law!
At a boisterous gathering outside the state Senate chamber Thursday, Democratic senators touted a resolution to rebuke Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump for his recent comments about immigrants. (According to the LA TIMES)
The resolution, which has not yet been put to a vote in the Legislature, excoriates Trump for his comments during his June 16th announcement speech. It also denounces Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), another presidential contender, who has come to Trump’s defense.
“The state of California will not stand for this type of racist rhetoric and racist behavior,” said Sen. Isadore Hall III (D-Compton), author of the resolution. “Today we stand and call upon the state of California to dump Trump.”
The measure asks the state to divest from, and otherwise cut business ties with, Trump-affiliated entities. It encourages private companies and individuals to do the same.
However in doing so those Democratic Party Senators have violated US Federal Law, specifically: 18 USC § 241 which states:
If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same; orIf two or more persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the premises of another, with intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege so secured—They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both
So, by introducing the resolution they are conspiring “to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate” Donald Trump “because of his having so exercised” his right to free speech which is “secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States”.
And the “two or more persons” part is taken care of because 10 CA State Senators are sponsoring the bill:
Senators Hall, De León, Galgiani, Glazer, Hueso, Jackson, Lara, Mendoza, Mitchell, and Pan.
This is not to be confused with the respective Senator’s right to free speech because they are introducing a resolution in the State Legislature specifically designed to harm Mr. Trump. Had the Senators simply released a statement of disapproval, or sent out a press release saying that they thought he was wrong for saying what he did, then the Senators would not be in violation of the law.
Senate Republican leader Bob Huff (R-San Dimas) issued a statement saying that Trump’s comments were “offensive” but that the resolution, SR 39, was unnecessary.
“Using state resources to protest the inappropriate statements from politicians on either side of the aisle or around the country is a waste of taxpayer dollars and only draws attention to those politicians who are trying to grab headlines,” Huff said.
Mr. Huff did not mention the fact that the 10 Democratic Party Senators violated federal law.
We at Game Changer PAC have not endorsed any candidate for the 2016 presidential race thus far. And while we do believe that Mr. Trump’s comments did offend many people and thus were insensitive and in desperate need of some political polish , he has the absolute right to say what he did.
That being said, Senators Hall, De León, Galgiani, Glazer, Hueso, Jackson, Lara, Mendoza, Mitchell, and Pan do not have the right to do what they are doing in response. What they are doing is , in fact, a crime.
