Joondeph: The public knows RussiaGate was real—but few expect a reckoning

By Dr. Brian C. Joondeph | Commentary, Rasmussen Reports

Americans largely believe that RussiaGate was more than just smoke and mirrors or a conspiracy theory, as the media suggess. However, despite this belief, only 28 percent of likely voters expect criminal charges against intelligence or Obama-era officials involved in the scandal.

In other words, only a quarter of the electorate expects a reckoning. American Spectator columnist Robert Stacy McCain agrees, recently predicting that for RussiaGate accountability, “Don’t bet on it.”

That obvious disconnect between public outrage and accountability expectations needs to be examined. The reckoning many call for appears to be out of reach.

According to the July 21–23 Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey, 60 percent of likely U.S. voters see the RussiaGate accusations as a “serious scandal.” That “top officials manufactured and politicized intelligence to create a false Russian collusion narrative about Trump.” This includes 42 percent who consider it very serious. Only 31 percent say it is not serious.

Yet, despite this consensus, only 28 percent expect criminal charges to be filed against those responsible. That includes just a quarter or less of voters across the political spectrum, showing strong doubts that justice will be served.

This gap between outrage and expectations highlights two painful truths. First, the institutions responsible for holding those in power accountable, such as corporate media, the Justice Department, and Congress, have shown little desire for serious investigation or accountability.

Oversight is just a buzzword. Maybe “Democracy dies in darkness” is a fitting motto for the Washington Post, but for the federal government, it’s “The republic dies in obfuscation.”

The Robert Mueller probe and John Durham special counsel investigation found no evidence of collusion or obstruction that could be prosecuted, and congressional inquiries stalled amid partisan conflicts and procedural hold-ups.

They concluded that “mistakes were made” and “lessons learned.” Or, to paraphrase Obi-Wan in Star Wars, “these aren’t the insurrections you’re looking for. Move along.”

Second, the public has lost trust in whether real consequences ever follow such scandals. The perception is that political perpetrators can hide behind procedural technicalities, media gaslighting, or institutional complacency. Voters may see the scandal as serious, but few expect it to result in meaningful action.

Or as George Carlin reminded us, “It’s a big club and you ain’t in it.” If you or I did what Obama, James Comey, Peter Strzok, John Brennan, James Clapper, and others are accused of doing, we would be locked away until the second coming, not writing books, teaching at universities, bloviating on cable news shows, or “finding” incendiary messages created out of beach stones.

If voters see a scandal as serious but expect no accountability, what value does public opinion have? The danger is that such a disconnect fosters cynicism, not only toward individuals but also toward institutions. Without consequences, moral outrage diminishes. The very idea of principled governance weakens. History warns us that civil war and revolution may follow.

This brings to mind Benjamin Franklin’s warning that the future of a country with an unaccountable ruling class is that it is, “A republic if you can keep it.”

A genuine reckoning doesn’t have to be political theater. It might start with high-integrity congressional hearings, but those often only produce sternly worded letters. Instead, let the FBI and DOJ conduct investigations and pursue charges when appropriate, not out of revenge but for true accountability. I believe their recently formed “strike force” aims to do this and isn’t just another smokescreen. We shall see.

This could lead to referrals for criminal charges, including sedition and treason if applicable. We need a transparent account that satisfies a skeptical public.

READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT RASMUSSEN REPORTS

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