Jon Stewart on Finding Consistent Accountability, Regardless of Popularity
Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart recently spoke to Fareed Zakaria on CNN’s GPS, where he weighed in on conversations surrounding whether or not former President Donald Trump would become a “martyr” if he were to be indicted. Stewart said these concerns are beside the point; rather, it’s essential to focus on finding a system of “consistent accountability” for all.
Since January, a New York grand jury has been investigating Trump’s connection to a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. As the investigation draws to a close, Trump could face an indictment in the coming weeks. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison in connection to this payment and has testified before the grand jury that Trump ordered him to make the payments.
Stewart responded sarcastically to Zakaria’s question about whether or not Trump should be indicted, emphasizing that the law should always take into account someone’s popularity. “I mean, what’s happened to our country? It’s as though you can’t even commit financial fraud anymore,” he said.
Rather than focusing on making Trump a martyr, Stewart called for more accountability in financial systems, including Congress’s stock trading practices. “The idea that someone may face accountability, who is that rich and powerful, is outrageous, and this country shouldn’t stand for it,” Stewart said.
Stewart emphasized that the rule of law should not take into account whether or not someone’s indictment would make them a martyr to somebody. “I’d much rather have the conversation be: what is the law? What exactly are we saying that he did? His lawyer went to jail for the same situation for a couple of years. So what is the crime? Is it a crime?” Stewart questioned.
The lack of accountability in financial systems and increasingly complex regulations are well-documented issues. It is essential that the public remains vigilant in holding those in positions of power accountable, regardless of their popularity, to strengthen the rule of law and the system of checks and balances in place.
