Thread by @djrothkopf

I, for one, am a bit surprised at the general acceptance of the degree of deference that has been shown to Trump in this case. He was given far too much time and too many chances to return the documents he stole from the government.

As the subsequent seizure of the documents revealed, they were extremely sensitive in nature and put our national security at risk every moment they were held by Trump in the insecure locations he kept them or were referred to by him in meetings with visitors and associates.

Consequently, the deference could well have been deeply damaging. Similarly, if he was hiding documents at Mar-a-Lago it stands to reason some might have been at his many other residences. Why were they not searched? A normal person would not have received such a courtesy.

He is likely today going to be released without bail being imposed. He is not going to be inconvenienced by having his mug shot taken. Others who have done far less damage have been treated far more severely, being immediately remanded to jail.

It is fair to anticipate that should he be convicted he will be given a lighter sentence than other similar violators. Indeed, many expect he will do no jail time at all. He is allowed to attack the prosecutor, naming members his family, without sanctions of any sort.

This is a case about a US citizen who put our national security at risk and then entered into an elaborate scheme to cover up what he did and to hold on to secrets he was not entitled to have. That he was president should not enter in to his treatment.

Indeed, by allowing it to the risk to our intelligence assets, to our allies and to our country has been increased. The deference has had a cost. Future deference would also send a message to our allies and enemies and to potential future violators that would be deeply damaging.

This is not just a point that Trump's political opponents should make. Any one who supports the rule of law in the United States or who cares about our national security must understand that lax treatment of Trump puts us at risk.

We should speak out about it. Not just because it matters in this case. But because it will matter in potential future prosecutions of Trump. Not only should he not be seen as above the law, he should not be seen as a special class of defendant.

In fact, given the oath he swore to protect the Constitution and the high office that was his privilege to occupy, if anything Trump's treatment should be harsher than the average citizen might receive because his betrayal was so much greater.

It is perfectly natural to treat occupants of the presidency with the degree of respect due the office. But with that should also come special, higher responsibilities and greater consequences for actions that discredit the office or harm the country.