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When you take something that doesn’t belong to you, it’s theft

Melvin B. Miller

An assertion that many Americans seem to believe is that “No one is above the law.” However, the unequal application of the law against Blacks as compared with highly regarded whites indicates that the principle is a lie. Donald Trump has been treated even more than decorously even though he has improperly removed government documents from the White House. In short, that’s stealing.

The law is clear. The Presidential Records Act of 1978 automatically makes presidential files the property of the National Archives after the president leaves office. Several efforts were made to recover the missing documents from Trump’s house at Mar-a-Lago. Reportedly, some were returned, but not all of the ones that were missing. Consequently, the National Archives office contacted the Justice Department to recover the missing property.

When Trump refused to return the documents voluntarily, the government had the right to recover the items by force unless he could prove that they were his personal property. Unfortunately, so much publicity was made over the contents of the documents and the process of the FBI recovery, it almost appeared that Trump was more than a document thief. In fact, he appeared to be victimized.

There is great doubt that a Black man facing the same charges would be treated so deferentially. However, Trump’s continual identification with unpatriotic issues has caused some people to deny him the respect usually due a former president. Nonetheless, Trump’s treatment was greater than Blacks in the same position would expect.

Astute people undoubtedly believe that the notion “No one’s above the law” is a lie.