Washington is in full spin control with pundits who previously said that even a misdemeanor conviction of Trump should bar him from ever running again for federal office.

Again, there are distinctions, but we still do not know the full facts, including whether additional classified material has been previously returned or whether additional material may be located in other offices. Nevertheless, there is no allegation of false statements or obstruction.

What is most striking is how this could have easily been far, far worse if the Bidens had gotten their way on the alternative office that was discussed following their departure from government. Rather than the Penn Center, their effective landlord would have been Chinese. …

Even if the public dodged this danger on the Chinese-funded office, it was not due to any lack of effort by the Bidens. The question now is how the public can feel confident that the FBI will show the same vigor in investigating the Bidens as it did Trump.

[Turley’s column is well worth reading in full. The biggest immediate issue is the lack of a special counsel from the DoJ to deal with these issues connected to a sitting president. Trump got a special counsel in 2017 and again in 2022. Turley discusses the disconnect toward the end of the column, and makes the argument that this is the most discrediting aspect of the scandal for Merrick Garland. — Ed]