Israelites, Pharisees & Sadducees In The 21st Century Church

VI. Abuse of Authority
Abuse of Power, in the form of "malfeasance in office" or "official misconduct," is the
commission of an unlawful act, done in an official capacity, which affects the
performance of official duties. Malfeasance in office is often grounds for a for
cause removal of an elected official by statute or recall election. Abuse of power can
also mean a person using the power they have for their own personal gain.
Institutional Abuse
Institutional abuse is the maltreatment of someone (often children or older adults) by a
system of power. This can range from acts similar to home-based child abuse, such
as neglect, physical and sexual abuse, to the effects of assistance programs working
below acceptable service standards, or relying on harsh or unfair ways to modify
behavior.
Donald Trump
Examples
After an impeachment inquiry conducted by the US House of Representatives in
2019, articles of impeachment were filed against President Donald Trump on charges of
abuse of power and obstruction of congress. On the abuse of power charge, the articles
of impeachment allege:
Using the powers of his high office, President Trump allegedly solicited the interference
of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 United States Presidential election. No
fact witness or evidence was provided only third party views on what they thought intent
was though it is alleged he did so through a scheme or course of conduct that included
soliciting the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations that would
benefit his reelection, harm the election prospects of a political opponent, and influence
the 2020 United States Presidential election to his advantage.
Joe Arpaio
In February 2010, Judge John Leonardo found that Arpaio "misused the power of his
office to target members of the Board of Supervisors for criminal investigation".
In 2008, a federal grand jury began an inquiry of Arpaio for abuse of power, in
connection with an FBI investigation. On August 31, 2012, the Arizona US Attorney's
office announced that it was "closing its investigation into allegations of criminal
conduct" by Arpaio, without filing charges.
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