Legal scholar Jonathan Turley warned that fellow legal analysts have an obligation to be accurate when discussing the literal meanings of laws, which came in response to a Yale lecturer and CNN analyst saying President Trump is a “biological terrorist in the White House.”
“Yale Professor and CNN legal analyst Asha Rangappa tweeted that President Trump is a ‘biological terrorist in the White House; and then added that she meant that ‘literally.’ That is literally why legal analysis has become little more than sensational insults or allegations,” Turley tweeted Thursday morning.
“As legal analysts we have a duty to at least try to be accurate in discussing the literal meaning of our laws and terminology. This type of attack is an appeal to the lowest common denominator in our public debate. It may drive ratings but it does harm to national dialogue,” he continued.
…As legal analysts we have a duty to at least try to be accurate in discussing the literal meaning of our laws and terminology. This type of attack is an appeal to the lowest common denominator in our public debate. It may drive ratings but it does harm to national dialogue.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) October 15, 2020
Asha Rangappa issued a Twitter thread on Oct. 6, which began by stating, “To recap: We have a biological terrorist in the White House.”
“BTW, I mean that literally. Trump’s own AG says that COVID meets the statutory definition of a ‘biological agent’ and that intentionally passing it to others can constitute an act of terrorism,” Rangappa added.
BTW, I mean that literally. Trump’s own AG says that COVID meets the statutory definition of a “biological agent” and that intentionally passing it to others can constitute an act of terrorism https://t.co/UcQwshbUS9
— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) October 6, 2020
She continued the thread with examples of White House staffers and others in Trump’s orbit testing positive for COVID-19.
Rangappa responded to Turley’s tweet Wednesday, saying he did not address that she was citing the legal definition of a “biological agent” and quoted Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen’s previous comments on the matter.
“‘Because coronavirus appears to meet the statutory definition of a ‘biological agent’ under federal law, [the purposeful exposure and infection of others with COVID-19] potentially could implicate the Nation’s terrorism-related statutes,’” she tweeted, which is a quote from Rosen.
“Quote is here, as well state cases where people who have exposed or threatened to suppose others with COVID have been charged with terorrism. As usual, @JonathanTurley did not include my original thread, where I cited the DOJ’s own definition,” she added.
Quote is here, as well state cases where people who have exposed or threatened to suppose others with COVID have been charged with terorrism. As usual, @JonathanTurley did not include my original thread, where I cited the DOJ’s own definition https://t.co/FQsdvwRerf
— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) October 15, 2020
Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the start of October. After receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he was given clearance to return to the campaign trail.
He kicked off this week with his first public rally, telling the Florida audience he felt “powerful.”
“I feel so powerful,” he said. “I’ll walk into that audience. I’ll walk in there, I’ll kiss everyone in that audience. I’ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women … everybody. I’ll just give ya a big fat kiss.”
