The Espionage Act Gets An Instant Makeover

A law reviled by liberalism ten minutes ago is now Savior to All

I woke this morning to find the Twitter version of a block party, over the news that Donald Trump is being investigated under the Espionage Act. A few examples:

Jon Cooper @joncoopertweets

🚨🚨 A former U.S. president is under investigation for violations of the Espionage Act. Let that sink in. 🚨🚨

Tristan Snell @TristanSnell

For the warrant to cover the Espionage Act, there had to be PROBABLE CAUSE of espionage. Not just a “what if Trump gave classified docs to foreign agents.” There was PROOF presented to the judge — witness testimony, video footage, other documents, something. Tangible proof.

Robert Reich @RBReich

How long until Trump tries to fundraise off of potentially violating the Espionage Act?

The most mind-blowing of these tweets is by Reich, who should know better. If I were Trump, I absolutely would fundraise off being investigated under the Espionage Act. By pursuing him under this provision, the Justice Department just did Trump the mother of all favors, adding his name to a list of some of the most famous political martyrs in our history.

“Ellsberg, Hale, Winner, Snowden, Assange, and now Trump,” Gabriel Shipton, brother of Julian Assange said this morning. “Incredible.”

Maybe Reich can’t see how this will play politically, or doesn’t care, but anyone thrilled at the prospect of trying to prosecute a former president under the Espionage Act has blacked out the recent history of this law. How much does this Act suck, and shame us all? Let’s count the ways.