[caymanjim]

There are no consequences beyond egg-on-face. I think that's as it should be. He said something stupid and reactionary, from a place of ignorance, likely parroting what some underling of his said. Now he looks silly, the news gets to carp about it for a cycle, and we all move on. This is as things should be. No one was materially hurt by his ignorant claims. Journalists are (or at least should be) thick-skinned enough to handle whatever inconvenience resulted from this, and now they get to publish their followups. Schadenfreude is its own reward.

[bink]

No one was materially hurt? What about the two people who had to hire legal representation to defend themselves from baseless allegations and a pointless investigation? And the harm to their reputations?

I agree that there isn't much that can be done considering it's unlikely the legislature will hold the Governor accountable, but it's not right to say no one was materially hurt.

[moate]

I think a lot of people just boldly assume "you won in court, so there was no damage" because they have 1- Never had to win in court and/or 2- Have so much money that going to court doesn't materially inconvenience them.

The legal system is great if you can afford it, but often times you get exactly as much justice as you can afford. There's a reason that, despite the societal harm they individually account for, drug offenses get much more jail time than "white collar crimes".

That said, the State attacking private citizens(this is what court cases are, an attempted attack to inflict financial damages or jail time) for checks notes alerting the State that it isn't properly protecting its citizens, is not something that should be solely handled with a penalty of "possibly not winning reelection".

[andrewflnr]

Really? You don't think "losing his job" or "losing the power he has abused" are desired consequences?

[lotsofpulp]

> This is as things should be.

No, things should not be where a politician gets away with baselessly threatening his opponents with taxpayer funded legal action that could easily cost them time, money, and freedom.

[vjust]

> No one was materially hurt

You must be kidding. As governor, Parson is the most powerful person in the state. And he's threatening to prosecute people who turned out to be innocent (arguably were known to be innocent from the word go). When flagrant abuse of power, and evil intent occur, its impossible that "No one was materially hurt".