The Autocrat vs. The Democrat

Written by Jack Hassard

On July 18, 2024

A Tale of Two Leaders

Donald Trump's Criminal Behavior vs. Joe Biden's Ethical Standards

Explore the stark contrast between Donald Trump’s criminal activities and Joe Biden’s commitment to ethical leadership. Understand the implications of their actions on the nation’s future.

Comparing Leadership: Trump vs. Biden

A detailed comparison of Donald Trump’s criminal behavior and Joe Biden’s ethical and moral conduct.

Donald Trump

Criminal Charges

Since leaving office on January 20, 2021, Donald Trump and many of his allies have been charged with a wide range of criminal activity.  In three cases, Trump was found guilty in a criminal case and liable for more than $600 million in a sexual misconduct and rape case, as well as a business fraud case.

The cases are as follows: 

Hush Money Case–guilty on 34 felonies.

Civil Financial Fraud–liable for $500 million

Sexual Assault and Rape–liable for nearly $100 million.

Classified Document–willful retention and obstructing justice.  Judge Cannon dismissed the case. Jack Smith has appealed.  Most likely will be reinstated but with a different judge.

January 6 Attack on Congress–charged with conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding on counting electoral votes, certifying Joe Biden as president-elect. Attempted to overthrow the election results.

Fulton County (GA) election interference case–19 Trump allies and himself charged with conspiring to overturn the presidential election under the states Racketeering Act.

 

Impeachments

The First Impeachment, December 18, 2019–Articles included abuse of power and obstruction of justice. The inquiry was that Trump solicited foreign interference in the 2020 election by bribing Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son in exchange for military aid. The senate trial ended with 47 guilty and 53 not guilty.

The Second Impeachment, January 13, 2021--Donald Trump was impeached for a second time for incitement of insurrection.  The Senate trial vote was 57 votes for guilty and 43 for not guilty. 

Trump is the first U.S. president to be impeached twice. 

Business Ethics

Trump promised, but there was not enough evidence to consider any promises fully resolved.  Here are promises not kept.

Leave business in total

Release tax returns

Dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation

Accept no salary

Leave my businesses

Not own stocks

Donate profits from foreign government payments made to hotels

No new deals during term in office

 

Public Trust

Support leaders who prioritize ethics and integrity. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our nation. Donald Trump was the first U.S. president to be criminally indicted for business fraud.  He was also the first president to try to steal the election from his opponent, who trounced in the popular and electoral votes.

Legal Investigations

It is challenging to keep pace with the number of Trump legal investigations.  In the section above on criminal charges, I’ve identified six. 

Joe Biden

Ethical Conduct

Joe Biden said on January 20, 2021, that he would commit to decision-making on the merits and exclusively in the public interest, without regard to private gain or personal benefit.  I commit to conduct that upholds the independence of law enforcement and precludes improper interference with investigative or prosecutorial decisions of the Department of Justice.  I commit to ethical choices of post-Government employment that do not raise the appearance that I have used my Government service for private gain, including by using confidential information acquired and relationships established for the benefit of future clients.  

Impeachment Record

President Biden has never been impeached. There, however, are a few right-wing House members who have been trying for years to no avail.  

Business Transparency

Joe Biden has done a number of things that show his administration’s attempt to be transparent as opposed to Trump’s previous administration.  He released the intelligent report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi (Trump refused). He resumed the release of visitor logs of the White House.  The Biden administration has cultivated a less hostile relationship with the press as opposed to Trump.  The Attorney General banned the use of subpoenas to seize journalists’ records. 

Work still needs to be done on the Freedom of Information Act to reduce delays and the rate of withholding information.  The secrecy around foreign intelligence surveillance also needs to be reduced. 

Public Trust

Internationally, most adults have confidence that Joe Biden is doing the right thing regarding world affairs. Joe Biden’s U.S. approval rating (according to 538) is 38.4%, while disapproval is 56.1%.  These figures, for this time in office are the same as Trump’s.  In my own opinion, based on years of research on Trump, there is little comparison.  

Legal Integrity

In the special counsel investigation in President Biden’s handling of classified documents, there was no support for any charges. 

Take a Stand for Ethical Leadership

Now that you’ve seen the differences, it’s time to make a choice. Support leaders who prioritize ethics and integrity. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our nation.

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