Back in 2016, an American citizen named Douglas Mackey made a meme mocking Hillary Clinton and Democrats. He was one of countless people using their free speech rights to comment on the election.
The meme in question was a graphic with a fake phone number, telling Hillary supporters to “text” their vote. Anyone with half a brain knew it was a joke.
But the moment Joe Biden entered office, the DOJ was weaponized against Mackey. He was convicted for a meme and sentenced to prison. Now, a federal appeals court has issued a surprising decision.
From Daily Wire:
A federal court on Monday halted the prison sentence for Douglas Mackey, who was convicted earlier this year of election interference for posting memes that mocked Hillary Clinton voters to cast their ballot via text during the 2016 presidential election.Judge Omar Williams of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals overruled an appellate court’s decision. He motioned for bond pending appeal, which means Mackey might end up a free man.
Mackey was charged one week after Joe Biden entered office. The meme he made was over four years old. This strongly suggests people within the federal government (or Biden’s campaign) were only waiting for a chance to prosecute this conservative.
The DOJ accused Mackey of pushing a “scheme to deprive individuals of their constitutional right to vote.” Biden’s Justice Department claimed Mackey conspired to “disseminate fraudulent messages” to trick Clinton voters to cast their ballots view text.
Critics have blasted the Biden administration, accusing them of going after conservatives for using their free speech to criticize Democrats. If that is true, it is consistent with other instances whereby the Biden administration has allegedly “weaponized” the government against conservatives.
Many have pointed out the harsh treatment of the January 6 defendants, despite them being civilians with no criminal record. Biden’s FBI raided Donald Trump’s home, in a move many condemned. The IRS allegedly tried to intimidate journalist Matt Taibbi, who was one of several reporters exposing government censorship.
For the Biden administration to be prosecuting a man over a joke from 2016? It is unlikely most Americans will support such a move. Critics will say (and have said) that Biden is trying to intimidate and silence critics of the government.
Mackey revealed that if the Second Circuit upholds his conviction, he will take this to the Supreme Court. It is possible the highest court will take up the case, given its relevance to the First Amendment.
Key Takeaways:
- Douglas Mackey was sentenced to prison for posting a Hillary Clinton joke.
- The Second Circuit Court halted his sentence, pending appeal.
- This comes as Republicans accuse Biden of weaponizing the government against his enemies.
Source: Daily Wire
