[jillyboel]

In Article III, Section 3 of the United States Constitution, treason is specifically limited to levying war against the U.S., or adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.

Under U.S. Code Title 18, the penalty is death, or not less than five years' imprisonment (with a minimum fine of $10,000, if not sentenced to death). Any person convicted of treason against the United States also forfeits the right to hold public office in the United States.

[Retric]

The constitution sets a really high bar on Treason. “It was not enough, Chief Justice John Marshall’s opinion emphasized, merely to conspire “to subvert by force the government of our country” by recruiting troops, procuring maps, and drawing up plans. Conspiring to levy war was distinct from actually levying war.” https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/articles/art...

“No person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.”

Cramer v United States being an interesting example. ‘As the Court explained: “A citizen intellectually or emotionally may favor the enemy and harbor sympathies or convictions disloyal to this country’s policy or interest, but, so long as he commits no act of aid and comfort to the enemy, there is no treason. On the other hand, a citizen may take actions which do aid and comfort the enemy—making a speech critical of the government or opposing its measures, profiteering, striking in defense plants or essential work, and the hundred other things which impair our cohesion and diminish our strength—but if there is no adherence to the enemy in this, if there is no intent to betray, there is no treason.” In other words, the Constitution requires both concrete action and an intent to betray the nation before a citizen can be convicted of treason; expressing traitorous thoughts or intentions alone does not suffice.’

[wizardforhire]

Those are great words both of you. A lot of good was done with those words and the others that come before and after them. Its too bad they don't matter anymore… I wish they did.

[Terr_]

> they don't matter

In way that is--ultimately--very real and practical, the words continue to matter while people assert they matter.

It's difficult, but we should avoid crossing from cynicism to defeatism.

[wizardforhire]

This 100%.

They absolutely matter without a shadow of a doubt.

Which is why the current situation is so frustratingly ridiculous.

[formerphotoj]

Agreed. We are now "back" to laws for thee but not for me.

[wizardforhire]

In the spirit of hn endless pedantry… we’re sadly back to might makes right.

[dspillett]

> The constitution sets a really high bar…

Unfortunately the current DPRUS administration doesn't seem to care what the constitution says. They happily ran over the due process requirements set in the 5th amendment and openly ignored a court ordering something to be done to rectify that.

For the time being at least, any protection “guaranteed” by the constitution can not be relied upon if it goes against the wishes of a certain few.

[dspillett]

For those downvoting the above: do the comments Trump has made since alter your opinion?