Byron Donalds Calls for Defunding Jurisdictions That Fail to Protect Americans' Rights

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) recently called for Congress to defund jurisdictions that fail to protect Americans' constitutional rights during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” Speaking with Peter Alexander, Donalds emphasized the need for accountability in areas receiving federal funds while discussing former President Donald Trump's legal challenges.

“One very important thing: It’s not about Speaker Johnson,” Donalds began. “He doesn’t have that power to overturn anything. But what it’s about is that Congress does fund a lot of jurisdictions around the country, and if there is a jurisdiction that takes federal money and it does not also protect the constitutional rights of all Americans, whether that’s President Trump or any other American, they shouldn’t receive federal funds.”

Donalds pointed to Trump's frustration with the legal process in Manhattan, calling it a violation of constitutional rights. “What happened in lower Manhattan was a violation of his constitutional rights. They didn’t even identify the ‘crime’ until the very end of the process, which is a violation of constitutional norms,” he said.

The congressman elaborated on the perceived injustices of Trump's case, criticizing the prosecution’s approach. “In the original indictment, they never identified an underlying crime,” Donalds explained. “Under our Bill of Rights, under our rule of law, a defendant is entitled to know what he’s being charged with. Donald Trump was never afforded that ability, so how can his legal team prepare a defense if you don’t even know what the actual crime is?”

Donalds argued that the entire case against Trump was fundamentally flawed. “That is why what happened in lower Manhattan was so terrible. And the only time the prosecution could even assert a crime was at the end of the case in closing arguments. You’re not allowed to do that.”

The call for defunding jurisdictions that violate constitutional protections aligns with broader concerns about the misuse of federal funds and the integrity of the judicial process. Donalds' remarks reflect a growing sentiment among some lawmakers to ensure that federal funding is contingent upon upholding constitutional rights.

As debates over the rule of law and judicial fairness continue, Donalds’ stance highlights the ongoing tension between federal oversight and local jurisdictional practices. His comments underscore the necessity of maintaining constitutional safeguards for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.

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