The First American Treason in over 50 years? October 11, 2006

Posted by earthlingconcerned in Treason

Adam Gadahn, the 28 year old Californian man affiliated with Al-Quada, was officially accused of treason today. I don’t see a reason to doubt this accusation considering his involvement in the foiled plot to disturb the last US election, and keeping in mind that he’s become the En glish speaking spokesperson for the terrorist group. He is believed to have said, “Yesterday, London and Madrid. Tomorrow, Los Angeles and Melbourne, God willing. At this time, don’t count on us demonstrating restraint or compassion“ in a video broadcast on the fourth anniversary of 9/11. Since then, he’s appeaed unmasked in several other videos condemning the American administration in support of Al-Quada. So does this fall into the category of treason as defined by the States?

Article 3, Section 3 of the US Constitution:

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

Adam Gadahn seems to fit these specifications. Levying war? He has most definitely threatened the country with further terrorist attacks, and that could be seen as an announcement of war. If North Korea can suggest that further sanctions would be considered as an act of war, his threats definitely fall into the category. Adhering to their enemies? Considering his most recent video came just over a month ago, and Al-Quada is sworn enemy, I would say he fits snugly into what the constitution sees as an act of treason. What about two witnesses? I saw it, click here and find a video and you can become a witness yourself. Check. What makes this a big deal is that this is the first time an American has been accused of treason since 1952!

That time, it was American born Tomoya Kawakita who was charged and eventually convicted of treason because of torture committed against American prisoners of war during World War II. Go through the treason check list yourself and I guarantee you that this would constitute treason. I don’t have as convenient proof regarding the two witnesses but I have little doubt that is in much dispute. Issues of dual nationality, renouncement of U.S. citizenship and such came into play but they mattered little. He was sentence to life in prison in 1953 (and eventually pardoned and deported to Japan during the closing of Alcatraz). The thing that surprises me the most is the scale of time in between one accusation of treason to the other.

Since 1952, a lot of American history has occurred. There was the Korean War, Vietnam, Cold War, smaller skirmishes in Grenada, twice in Iraq. The list goes on. Then there’s the question of why Adam Gadahn and not someone else like John Walker Lindh, who is currently serving a life sentence for supporting terrorist organizations, or Yaser Esam Hamdi who was accused for similar reasons. There have been similar cases of anti-American Americans out in the last 50 years.

Why now? Why him? Discuss.