BLOGJune 08, 2017

Dershowitz: Get Out of the Weeds, No Obstruction of Justice With Comey

One of the great legal minds today is liberal Alan Dershowitz. Talking with Anderson Cooper on CNN following the release of James Comey's seven-page statement, Dershowitz had this to say:

Well, first of all, let's look at the big constitutional picture. The president could have told Comey, "You are commanded, directed to drop the prosecution against Flynn." The president has the right to do that. Comey acknowledges that. He says in the statement that historically, historically presidents have done that to the Justice Department.
The past few years we've had a tradition of separation, but that tradition doesn't create crime. And remember also what the president could have done. He could have said to Comey, "Stop this investigation. I am now pardoning Flynn."

"Two important points there, in what Dershowitz said. And one that's key in saying there was a tradition of separation between the Executive Branch and the Department of Justice, even though the head of the FBI and the attorney general all serve at the behest of the president. But he said, tradition does not make a crime," Mike Opelka said, filling in for Glenn on radio.

Dershowitz continued.

That's what President Bush did. In the beginning of the investigation of Caspar Weinberger, which could have led back to the White House, to the first President Bush. President Bush on the eve of the trial pardoned Caspar Weinberger, pardoned six people, and special counsel Walsh said this is outrageous. He's stopping the investigation. Nobody talked about obstruction of justice. You cannot have obstruction of justice, when the president exercises his constitutional authority to pardon, his constitutional authority to fire the director of the FBI or his constitutional authority to tell the director of the FBI who to prosecute, who not to prosecute. So let's get out of the weeds, and let's look at the big constitutional picture.

"So there it is. From one of the most respected legal minds in the country, who also happens to be a liberal. You cannot have obstruction of justice here," Opelka said.

Enjoy the complimentary clip or read the transcript for details.

MIKE: We're watching Comeyfefe 2017. Comeyfefe 2017 has the nation's attention. Or at least everybody who can avoid going to work today and sitting at home and watching Jim Comey tell us either nothing or that he'll tell the senators in private, or he's rehashing things we already knew. So gigantic waste of time for this giant nothing burger, except there was just a moment that was just captured, as Dianne Feinstein, the senator from California was talking to Jim Comey and mentioned the tapes, the tapes that Donald Trump alluded to, when he tweeted after Comey talked about his memo, when Donald Trump tweed that Jim Comey better hope -- better hope that I don't have tapes before he starts leaking things.

And this was the exchange.

VOICE: Why didn't you stop and say, "Mr. President, this is wrong. I cannot discuss this with you?"

JAMES: That's a great question. Maybe if I were stronger, I would have. I was so stunned by the conversation, that I just took it in. And the only thing I can think to say -- because I was playing in my mind -- because I could remember every word he said -- I was playing in my mind, "What should my response be?" And that's why I very carefully chose the words -- and, look, I've seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes.

I -- I remember saying, "I agree. He's a good guy." As a way of saying, "I'm not agreeing with what you just asked me to do." Again, maybe other people would be stronger in that circumstance, but that was -- that's how I conducted myself. I hope I'll never have another opportunity. Maybe if I did it again, I'd do it better.

MIKE: And how long before we have T-shirts that say this...

JAMES: I've seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes.

MIKE: Lordy, I hope there are tapes.

This is getting more bizarre by the moment. I can't even imagine this. And I also wonder what the hell the rest of the world is thinking. Now, one of the great legal minds in this world is a guy named Alan Dershowitz.

Alan Dershowitz is a liberal. Alan Dershowitz is not a guy that the G.O.P. would normally call in to say, hey, would you back us up on this?

And Alan Dershowitz was talking with Anderson Cooper last night on CNN. And they were discussing the seven-page statement that Comey put out, that was his opening statement today. So the whole world saw the opening statement already.

And in there, we have said there is no evidence of obstruction of justice. While the Democrats are all saying, "This is all obstruction of justice." At least the only guy who at CNN will say that is Jeffrey Toobin, and then every Democrat quotes Toobin saying, "Toobin says it. It must be obstruction." But Alan Dershowitz gave us some great clarity on this.

ANDERSON: Professor Dershowitz, you say this is not obstruction of justice by the president and that it actually strengthens his position against Director Comey. How so?

ALAN: Well, first of all, let's look at the big constitutional picture. The president could have told Comey, "You are commanded, directed to drop the prosecution against Flynn." The president has the right to do that. Comey acknowledges that. He says in the statement that historically -- historically presidents have done that to the Justice Department.

MIKE: So, first of all, let's remember this. Historically, presidents have been able to tell the Justice Department and actually have told the Justice Department, "Stop this investigation. It's within the power of the president. It's the president's right. It's part of his executive powers." Dershowitz continues.

ALAN: The past few years we've had a tradition of separation, but that tradition doesn't create crime. And remember also what the president could have done. He could have said to Comey, "Stop this investigation. I am now pardoning Flynn."

MIKE: Two important points there, in what Dershowitz said. And one that's key in saying there was a tradition of separation between the executive branch and the Department of Justice, even though the head of the FBI and the attorney general all serve at the behest of the president. But he said, tradition does not make a crime. Tradition does not make a crime. A really key point there. And he did say that the president has the right to say I'm pardoning Flynn. Therefore, there's no need for an investigation. End it here. Donald Trump didn't do that. But he had the power.

Comey -- or, Dershowitz continues.

ALAN: That's what President Bush did. In the beginning of the investigation of Caspar Weinberger, which could have led back to the White House, to the first President Bush. President Bush on the eve of the trial pardoned Caspar Weinberger, pardoned six people. And special counsel Walsh said this is outrageous. He's stopping the investigation.

Nobody talked about obstruction of justice. You cannot have obstruction of justice, when the president exercises his constitutional authority to pardon, his constitutional authority to fire the director of the FBI, or his constitutional authority to tell the director of the FBI who to prosecute, who not to prosecute. So let's get out of the weeds, and let's look at the big --

MIKE: So there it is. From one of the most respected legal minds in the country, who also happens to be a liberal. You cannot have obstruction of justice here. And what happened in no way was -- was anywhere near obstruction of justice. So how will Chuck Schumer -- how will Nancy Pelosi -- how will Maxine Waters -- how will all the hand-wringing Democrats deal with this? Well, you can bet they're going to keep hammering. They're going to keep hammering until they get something else, something else that will slow down the process.

Comey -- or, Dershowitz continues.

ALAN: That's what President Bush did. In the beginning of the investigation of Caspar Weinberger, which could have led back to the White House, to the first President Bush. President Bush on the eve of the trial pardoned Caspar Weinberger, pardoned six people. And special counsel Wash (phonetic) said this is outrageous. He's stopping the investigation.

There was also a discussion -- and I've been following, thanks to the crew here, the research crew here -- Keith has been digging up different quotes on this. Jamie Dupree, who is -- covers Congress for a couple different radio and TV outlets has been cherry-picking some of the most interesting moments from this hearing. And he said, Comey wrote memos about the Trump hearings and said, "Quote, I was honestly concerned that he would lie about the nature of our meeting." That's why he wrote it. So if he was actually nervous about it, we have to go back to the one question I would ask Comey. Why didn't you bring it up? Why did you wait till after you were fired? Why did this all happen only after you were fired?

The other statement that really -- really makes me crazy is Comey saying that the attorney general, Loretta Lynch, Bill Clinton meeting on the tarmac. That meeting that all of us realized was not about grandkids and golf. That any thinking sane person would say, no, they're not talking grandkids and golf for 45 minutes. Because even I, a golfer who obsesses about playing the game, knows that you will bore the tar out of people if you talk about golf for longer than five minutes. Even golfers get tired of it. We don't want to hear about it. We want to play. So sitting on the tarmac for 45 minutes, just when your wife Hillary happens to be under investigation. Oh, I don't know. And facing a possible breakdown in her dreams to become the president. And you've got the attorney general in front of you. Gee, do you think they were talking about grandkids and golf?

No. But Comey says the AG Lynch and Bill Clinton tarmac meeting was the reason he went public with the email investigation. Really? Was it because that meeting actually had something else going on and you couldn't let it just slide away? So you had to bring up the email investigation in order to maybe bring back some reality to the world?

This is amazing on so many levels. Very amazing.

THE GLENN BECK PODCAST

Why Your Actions Matter More Than Words in the Eyes of God

Glenn Beck and Eric Metaxas expose the spiritual crisis gripping America’s churches — a moment they compare to Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s warning before World War II. As the culture descends into moral confusion, too many Christians retreat into silence, claiming faith while refusing to act. Together, they argue that true belief demands courage — that “faith without works is dead” — and warn that neutrality in the face of evil is itself a form of complicity.

Watch the FULL Interview HERE

RADIO

Is Socialism replacing the American dream?

The American Dream used to mean freedom and the chance to build your own life through hard work, faith, and independence. But today, it’s been replaced by comfort, consumption, and debt. Glenn Beck breaks down how America traded liberty for lifestyle, why socialism is gaining ground, and what it will take to reclaim the real American Dream before it disappears for good.

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: I don't know if you saw the visualizing the American dream, Stu.

You know, what the American dream actually is, is that you can forge your own way.

You can -- you know, you can have a scrap of land, and grow your own food if up.

You can, you know, go to school. Not go to school.

You can find a job. If you're qualified for it, you have an equal chance of getting it, you know, based on merit.

But the percentage of Americans who say the American dream is retirement is 86 percent. Health care, 86 percent. Owning a home, 85. Raising two kids, 78. Owning a car, 72. Vacations, 71. Pets, 66. A wedding, 55 percent. That's the American dream, I can get married.

The American dream, if that's what you think, they've now estimated, the cost per household over the cost -- over the lifetime, retirement is $1.6 million. Owning a home now, 30-year mortgage, 20 percent you want to, is $957,594. Owning a car, buying and finance to begin with new cars every ten years is now $900,000 over your lifetime. Raising two kids to 18, plus four years of public college, $876,092. Two kids. Health care, over your lifetime, spending from ages 22 to 85, $414,000. Vacations, annual vacation from '22 to '85, $180,000. One dog and one cat for 11 to 13 years is $40,000!

That's more expensive than a wedding. The engagement ring, the ceremony, and the reception is now estimated to be $38,200.

There's a reason socialism is doing well. You look at that, and you're like, wow. I mean, if that's the American dream. And for a lot of people, that is the American dream!

That's not what the American dream is supposed to be, but, you know, once -- you know, once Woodrow Wilson and FDR got a hold of us and they started advertising, it became stuff instead of freedom. It became stuff. And, you know, when there's a new report out. Let me see if I have that.

There's a new report out now that shows, first time home buyers made up just 21 percent of the home purchases. That's the lowest on record.

The typical age of repeat buyers hit an all-time high of '62. The median downtowns, reaching 23 percent.

The highest since 2023.

And also, where is it?

The last one is -- the median age for first time home buyers, in 1981, it was 29 years old.

I'm sorry. Yeah. Twenty-nine years old. In 2021, it was 33 years old.

What is it this year?

Median age, first time homeowner, forty.

You're 40 before you can buy any kind of home. That puts these things that people want, dream about, out of reach, until you're 40?

You know, 29 is one thing. But if you're not seeing -- you're not seeing your life really kind of settling down until you're 40, I -- I can understand why you're like, you know what, this system doesn't work.

Because you've never seen it work. It's betrayed you.

Or so you've been sold. It's betrayed you.

And everything is being pushed out of your reach. And when you're young, the one thing you're not is patient.

And at 40, I can see why people are not, you know, yeah. Well, socialism is neat because capitalism isn't working. How would you respond to that?

STU: I mean, it's more lengthy than we have time for. But I would say that the response to, you know, you thinking that you want a home is not to embrace an ideology that murders 100 million people.

That's not -- that's not a good answer to the problem that you think you have.

GLENN: But they're not learning that anywhere.

They're not -- that is our responsibility! To teach those things. Because they're not learning it anywhere.

Glenn Beck Warns of 3 Economic Outcomes That Could Change EVERYTHING | Ep 467

Socialism is spreading fast among America’s youth, and the shocking election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani for mayor in New York City marks a major cultural and economic shift. Glenn exposes how runaway debt, record home prices, AI job disruption, and the collapsing stake in capitalism have led many Millennials and members of Gen Z to embrace socialism and communism. He reveals the three possible economic futures for 2026: two that are disastrous and one that could change everything if the Trump administration’s global financial overhaul succeeds. Plus, Justin Haskins, president of the Heartland Institute, joins to reveal some terrifying truths about why young Americans are embracing socialism from a poll he conducted with Rasmussen Reports.

RADIO

The world is about to realize the DEADLY enemy we face

"The world doesn't understand yet. We're already in World War III," Glenn Beck warns. "That foe is not China. That foe is militant Islam." Glenn explains the battle we're currently facing and what's to come if we don't wake up soon...

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: From New Jersey, it's Brian. Hello, Brian.

CALLER: Hello!

GLENN: Hey.

CALLER: Yeah. Thanks for taking the calls today.

GLENN: Sure.

CALLER: Yeah. I'm worried that we are headed towards another French Revolution-style because we have entire generations. Or actually people just not being heard by their representatives.

GLENN: Hmm.

CALLER: And it's not just here. It's around the world.

GLENN: Uh-huh.

I -- actually, I had scheduled for this time, I'll just do it some other time. Talking about what's happening in -- in England.

I think England is headed for a Civil War. And -- and it's very close.

I mean, you can't put 4,000 people. 4,000 people, in jail, or try them for hate crimes. And speech crimes.

You can't -- you can't do it. In England!

You can't do that in one year. And expect people to just put up with it!

You can't -- you know, we're -- we're -- America doesn't understand yet.

The world doesn't understand.

We're in World War III. We're already in World War III.

I don't know when it becomes a hot war. Or even a war that we on our side recognize. But we are in World War III. And that -- that foe is not China.

That foe is militant Islam, period. And, you know, when we have a situation to where people are -- when the government is just like, no. It's not a problem.

It's not a problem. You know. You've got illegals all over.

It's not a problem.

It's not a problem.

It is a problem. Don't tell me what -- what the problems are not!

Because we're the ones living it!

You're the experts, who keep telling us, no. It's going to work out fine.

And it doesn't work out fine. And it just gets worse and worse.

Oh. We can spend this money. No. It looks like we can't spend this money. Oh, we can afford this. No. It looks like we can't afford this.

You know, if we do this with Ukraine, it will work out fine. No, it didn't, did it? These endless wars, all of this stuff, don't tell me what the problem is. Listen to the people and start talking to the people. Honestly, this is the reason why I'm doing this today. I -- I need to hear from you.

I need to know what's on your mind, so I stay focused and -- and clear on what America is saying.

Because I don't think -- look, you know, me taking phone calls is -- is not a true representation of anything, but it does give me a sense of -- of where you are, as an audience. Maybe not as America, but as an audience. And there are lots of things that concern me. But I want to hear it from you.
But I think you're right! We're headed for real, real trouble. All you need is real economic trouble.

You start getting real, true economic trouble. 1930s kind of depression stuff. And we're in Civil War.

Dan, Oregon. Welcome!

CALLER: Hello, Glenn. How are you?

GLENN: I'm great!

CALLER: Yeah. Good. It's been a long time.

I guess it's been over ten years, since I've had a chance to talk with you. I was one of your first insiders. I was listening to you, since you were in Florida.

GLENN: Wow. Wow.

CALLER: So it's been a long -- yeah. It has been. And I can't say I've enjoyed all of it.
(laughter)

GLENN: Neither have I!

STU: I can't say that either, I'll be honest with you.

CALLER: You know, you were talking on yesterday's show, reminiscing with Stu about how you guys started. And I remember those old shows. And, you know, at the end of the -- the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment.

STU: Hmm.

GLENN: Right.

CALLER: And there was a lot more entertainment. I remember I laughed a lot.

GLENN: Oh, yeah. I know. I know. Those days are long dead.
(laughter)

STU: There's nothing to laugh about now.

CALLER: Yeah. I -- I'm 78. I still work 40 hours a week. I love my job.

GLENN: Good for you.

CALLER: Been married for 55 years. I have seven kids.

GLENN: Good for you.

CALLER: I've got a daughter -- I've got a daughter who is in her 40s. And she has severe TDS. She -- we don't -- I mean, we're not cutting each other off. She hasn't done that at all. We're still very close as a family. But she was down visiting the other day, and got into a conversation with my wife. And I wasn't in the room. But Kathy said it was just like listening to one of those young people out on the street that was being interviewed by the news media. And she was -- and she was in tears about it. My wife and my daughter both.

And, I mean, I love her, and I continue to support her. She's a single woman, not by choice. She just never found the right guy.

GLENN: Yeah.

CALLER: And I really think that's part of the problem. Because she started reading -- back when Trump was first running, she started reading all of this stuff about him being misogynistic and all of this stuff.

GLENN: Yeah. Yeah.

CALLER: And it's just gotten worse. I -- I'm at a loss. I really am. Because I -- like, I see the country doing better. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. But I still feel like that at least right now, we're doing better as a whole. But what do we do about -- what do we do about our kids about -- she went to Portland State University for the last two --

GLENN: Oh, jeez, for the love of --

CALLER: Well, yeah. For the last two years, she went to -- she went to a little college in Idaho called Ricks for the first two years, and Utah State.

GLENN: Oh, yeah.

CALLER: And then she served a mission for our church in Brazil and came home, but then she went to Portland State University. And it just seems to have gone downhill from there.

GLENN: Yeah. Yeah. So, Dan, I think you are suffering from the same thing that almost all parents are suffering from. If you're not suffering from this, then, I mean, God bless you. You know, get on your knees and thank God. Because you are a lucky, lucky family. Everybody has in their family. I have it in my family.

And you have to ask yourself, what is your goal?

My -- what is your goal with your daughter? Your real goal?

CALLER: My real goal is for us to be united eternally. That's my goal. That's my goal as a father and has been to teach her --

GLENN: And how -- and how is that going to happen with politics?

CALLER: We just stay together as a family regardless of what politics does.

GLENN: That's exactly right. Exactly right.

I think we're in a place now where as parents, you can ask your kids, but it has to be honest. It cannot be trying to win. It has to be honest. How did you get there?

I mean, I remember. You know, we've talked about this before. And you didn't believe that before. What has changed?

Can you help me with that?

I would like to see what you're reading, or what that was.

And just ask questions. But they have to be honest. They can't be, you know, because I'm setting you up. Because I want to change your mind.

But keep a dialogue open with them. And just love them!

Just love them!

Because if you do anything else, you're going to drive them away. And then they're really lost. So just love them.

CALLER: Oh, I know that. Glenn, when she was young -- when she was young, I considered her one of the elect. And the Scripture says, that in the last days, even the elect are going to be deceived. And that's what I'm seeing. But everything you've said, I -- I am doing. I'm doing it that way. Because I know --

GLENN: Okay. Good. Then you didn't need to -- I appreciate it. I'm so glad you called me. But you didn't need to -- my advice, you already have it down. You're a very wise man.

Glenn's Show Prep

Dershowitz: Get Out of the Weeds, No Obstruction of Justice With Comey

Why Your Actions Matter More Than Words in the Eyes of God

Is Socialism replacing the American dream?

Transcript

Glenn Beck Warns of 3 Economic Outcomes That Could Change EVERYTHING | Ep 467

The world is about to realize the DEADLY enemy we face

Transcript