(context: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/16/former-cisa-chief-krebs-leav... )
Under U.S. Code Title 18, the penalty is death, or not less than five years' imprisonment (with a minimum fine of $10,000, if not sentenced to death). Any person convicted of treason against the United States also forfeits the right to hold public office in the United States.
“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.”
Cramer v United States being an interesting example. ‘As the Court explained: “A citizen intellectually or emotionally may favor the enemy and harbor sympathies or convictions disloyal to this country’s policy or interest, but, so long as he commits no act of aid and comfort to the enemy, there is no treason. On the other hand, a citizen may take actions which do aid and comfort the enemy—making a speech critical of the government or opposing its measures, profiteering, striking in defense plants or essential work, and the hundred other things which impair our cohesion and diminish our strength—but if there is no adherence to the enemy in this, if there is no intent to betray, there is no treason.” In other words, the Constitution requires both concrete action and an intent to betray the nation before a citizen can be convicted of treason; expressing traitorous thoughts or intentions alone does not suffice.’
In way that is--ultimately--very real and practical, the words continue to matter while people assert they matter.
It's difficult, but we should avoid crossing from cynicism to defeatism.
They absolutely matter without a shadow of a doubt.
Which is why the current situation is so frustratingly ridiculous.
Unfortunately the current DPRUS administration doesn't seem to care what the constitution says. They happily ran over the due process requirements set in the 5th amendment and openly ignored a court ordering something to be done to rectify that.
For the time being at least, any protection “guaranteed” by the constitution can not be relied upon if it goes against the wishes of a certain few.