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iAMkenough • yesterday at 10:04 PM • 2 replies • view on HN

What if they haven’t committed fraud? Do you believe the federal government should be allowed to harass elected officials for their speech?

In the trespass charges, local government could have handled it without costing you as much. It’s a waste of taxpayer dollars using dragnet surveillance, violating the rights of others caught in their net. I believe the Feds are only wasting money on this because of who was involved, not the crime at hand.

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”


Replies

mangodrunk • yesterday at 10:45 PM

Which congress person are you referring to? I would agree that there would need to be probable cause.

Interfering with religious worship is a federal offense, so I don’t think it could just be handled by the local government.

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mangodrunk • yesterday at 11:08 PM

I can’t reply to your other comment so commenting here.

Thank you for being so civil, these discussions tend to get very heated very quickly.

You are right that it is a misdemeanor unless there was an aggravating factor but I don’t think that has been alleged. But it does seem to be a federal offense nonetheless if someone does violate the code below.

18 U.S.C. § 247

>intentionally obstructs, by force or threat of force, including by threat of force against religious real property, any person in the enjoyment of that person’s free exercise of religious beliefs, or attempts to do so

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/247

Don Lemon does seem to be charged with Conspiracy Against Rights (18 U.S.C. § 241) and FACE Act Violation (18 U.S.C. § 248). Given that 247 deals with interstate commerce which wouldn’t make sense like you said.