For Some Democrats, Only Victims Who Can Implicate Republicans Are Believable

Former Vice-President and presumptive presidential candidate, Joe Biden, was recently accused of sexual misconduct by Tara Reade. While Reade’s claims are just accusations at this time, they have been met with deaf ears by those on the left. The existence of a double standard by Democrats is not surprising. What is concerning, however, is the message that Democrats are sending to victims of sexual misconduct; namely, your experience only matters if it can implicate a high-level Republican.

According to Reade, who recently filed a police report against Biden, she was the victim of a sexual assault. As reported by The Washington Times:

In two recent interviews with The Associated Press, Tara Reade alleged the assault occurred in the basement of a Capitol Hill office building in the spring of 1993. She filed a police report in Washington on Thursday saying she was the victim of a sexual assault by an unnamed person in 1993, a copy of which was obtained by the AP.

Despite these allegations, some Democrats have been unwilling to help Reade while others have come to Biden’s defense without calling for an investigation. For example, as reported by Townhall:

Time’s Up Legal Defense, a nonprofit designed to help women combat sexual assault struggles from a legal stand point, is said to have declined Reade’s plea for help, per The Intercept. Time’s Up allegedly told Reade that their nonprofit status, and Biden’s political stature, prevented them from helping her come forward with her story. The Intercept also pointed out that a top official at the public relations firm tied to Time’s Up is advising Biden’s campaign. Reade says that she brought her story to the campaigns of Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), but was given no help.

Moreover, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently endorsed Biden for president, as did former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Alyssa Milano, a prominent #MeToo activist, also supported Biden despite Reade’s allegations.

The fact that Democrats have so quickly dismissed Reade’s claims shows an obvious double standard by those on the left. After all, many Democrats quickly called for investigations into Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing despite the fact that they were entirely uncorroborated and meritless. Some, including Kamala Harris, even called for Kavanaugh’s impeachment.

Aside from the obvious double standard, the Democrats’ silence and their refusal to investigate the allegations against Biden reflect a terrifying partisan approach towards purported victims of sexual assault/abuse. More particularly, Democrats believed Kavanaugh’s accuser(s) because they could serve their ultimate purpose, which was to hurt Kavanaugh, a prominent Republican. There is no other logical explanation. While some Democrats might assert that the facts in Reade’s case are not compelling enough to justify an investigation, this excuse is hardly convincing given that many of the same Democrats called for an investigation into Kavanaugh without any compelling or corroborating evidence whatsoever.

Tara Reade’s allegations against Joe Biden must be investigated. Democrats must demand an investigation, not only because the allegations directly relate to the Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, but because they are extremely serious. The failure of those on the left to speak up and to call for an investigation into this matter also serves to politicize such allegations. Specifically, it sends a message to prospective victims of sexual abuse that their willingness to come forward will only be believed (and matter) if it aligns with the Party’s political goals and aspirations.

Mr. Hakim is a political writer and commentator and an attorney.  His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, The Algemeiner, The Western Journal, American Thinker and other online publications.