What has been missed is that a rogue president could avoid impeachment by simply putting the whole of Congress in prison. No need for the Navy Seal Team. Just have it done by the Justice Department. Put enough of Congress in Gitmo to avoid there ever being impeachment. It seems that Lawrence Tribe of Harvard has come to the same conclusion.
Let's be honest, what John Sauer was requesting was the equivalent of the 1933 Enabling Law in Germany. In the world he suggests, the president is not only above the law, he IS the law.
Let's hope that the courts finally start to understand the depths of what is in the minds of these people.
Keith, unfortunately, we the voters have no power or even influence on today’s Supreme Court. So far, the only successful influencers are those that appoint the judges and those that bribe them. Soon, Trump’s goons will begin to raise a specter of harm to them, their spouses, children and even grandchildren. The goons know that there are not enough Secret Service agents to guard them all. The threat of harm has a chilling effect on a person’s integrity, even justices.
I truly wonder just exactly what it is that gives him such hold over the GOP, the courts, etc. Maybe he has pee tapes on all of them? Why are they so willing to kowtow to Dear Leader?
Karen: I've been asking this question for months. The silence is deafening, so deafening I'm wondering what isn't being said and why. Who else besides the GOP and the courts does trump have a hold over?
Karen, Trump has acted using a lot of the tactics of organized crime throughout his life. I have little doubt he has dirt on a lot of people in Washington and beyond. Even if it is not true, the American people will likely believe it and the victims know that. People do not often enough take time to consider if something spewed by a liar is true. When a man lied more than 30,000 times in public in 4 years, something is wrong with that man and no one should be expecting honesty from him, ever! There are discussions as to whether Trump should testify in court, but why would anyone let him do that without serious limits. They know he will lie with glee and try to redirect from the case at hand because that is who he is. My serious concern is, what is wrong with us that this horrible human being is even being considered as a candidate for anything? What does that say about our nation and our people? I am thinking it is nothing good. It is going to be We the People who care about our democracy, who must step up and stop the insanity, hopefully pulling enough others along with us.
William, that is really sad. Trump has no clue, but he can still spew what is put before him. Mixed with what he does still understand, he will end up a puppet who can be pushed around by the likes of Lawyer Leo who has absolutely no positive moral compass. He has learned well how to manipulate and intimidate people and they allow themselves to be intimidated, rarely standing up to say who is doing the intimidation, the threatening, the undermining. Silence is deadly. Where is our Department of Justice and why is it not acting, or if they are acting, why are We the People left believing Trump is nearly omnipotent as his cult chooses to believe? We should be able to do better!
Normally it’s the investigation (oral questioning) of potential jury members, to determine their suitability as non-predisposed toward the accused. In this case it’s public oral questioning of the justices to determine their suitability to sit the case.
Clarence Thomas WAS unsuitable after Anita Hill’s testimony. But he returned with the “public lynching” remark and everyone caved. That was their big mistake.
voie is french "to see" and dire is french "to say". French is derived from latin. Together the terms have a special meaning in law which one can google.
Excellent 👌 <<Voir dire (/ˈvwɑːr dɪər/; often /vɔɪr daɪər/; from an Anglo-Norman term in common law meaning "to speak the truth") is a legal term for procedures during a trial that help a judge decide certain issues:
Prospective jurors are questioned to decide whether they can be fair and impartial.
Witnesses are questioned to decide their competence to testify.
Witnesses are questioned to decide the admissibility of evidence.>>
Trump's hoard of legal minds who have the unenviable job of representing a guilty man, have their backs against the wall. They are stating, to convict Trump would be equivalent to opening "Pandora's Box," because past Presidents could be brought before a court of law for things they did while they were in office. I guess to represent a guilty man you must need money and be basically scantless to begin with. Past presidents who did things within their duties as President and broke no laws doing so, are not subject to the same proceedings as Trump because Donnie Boy tried to bring down our country in order to stay in power. Trump opened Pandora's box when he stole the 2016 election from Hillary, who by the way won that election by over 3 million votes. Trump had to resort to relying on the electoral college to win the election, underhandedly. The people even back then didn't want a crook to represent them as their President. Trump tried to circumvent the constitution in an attempt to cheat his way back into the White House in 2020. The man should relocate his residence to a federal courthouse, it would save him a great deal of valuable travel time. Face it, our country is an open box to Trump, and he wants everything that's inside, including poor Pandora.
My grandfather was a gunnery sergeant out of fort Custer in Michigan, and he fought in the trenches in France during WWI. He had a saying, "I can't make you do anything, but, I can make you wish you had."
Donald, I don’t mean to be disrespectful of your grandfather, but isn’t that strong arm statement how Trump operates? With threats, fear, intimidation and violence?
"Marlo" I finally got it, sorry.--Gramps was all of 5 foot 4 inches tall, but he was built like a stick of dynamite, and had the temperament to match. I'm sure his position as gunnery sergeant had a lot to do with it. I'm not holding his image as exemplary, just something we should keep in mind as the next election draws near. We must remain tough.
That man insisted that the Airtraffic controllers that went on strike during the Reagan administration should all be shot for treason. 11,359 individuals were subsequently fired by our sitting President because he took a gentler approach. What would Trump have done with the same situation? I wonder what caliber bullets he would have used. After all Treason is a crime punishable by death, and being a federal employee striking is an act of treason.
I googled 'define scantless' and only place I could find it was in the 'Urban dictionary' and 'Defininthing'... but I think of those as early usage, not stable in meaning since the usage is both new and rare.
Marc : I think Keith is looking at the long term. I truly believe that those MAGA enablers in 'Congress' have disqualified themselves by voting against the certification of President Biden's win! They are next! They should be out of 'their' seats!, and unable to run for office again! Ever! The sooner, the better!
But then they'll still have to stand up to the Repubs who'll threaten to filibuster unlike they have in the past where they've gone oh, okay and not put up whatever it is they threaten to filibuster. I say tell them to go ahead & do it! Let the country see who the actual do-nothings are.
We NEED to turn the FIlibuster around to its original conrfiguration, at least — You gotta stand there and talk for the whole time you’re resisting the vote, or the vote goes forward. This ‘virtual filibuster” crapola is part of {a HUGE part of} why Congress does not function for the people any more. …. Democrats are such weanies — first chance they get, they NEED to reconstitute the original filibuster …
Let's look at this the OTHER WAY: they owe NOTHING to the psychotic career criminal that gave them jobs!
Lifetime appointments might be GOOD here because they need to be much more aware of their public image, not what a nearly-deceased serial loser is MAGAing about on a dying social media platform.
More the impetus to stop them now ,the axe is going to fall for them for sure if they get elected,they have no loyalty to anyone,a perception of the slightest betrayal,right or wrong is a death sentence!
Given the Supreme Court's deplorable record so far and that Team Trump is likely already working overtime behind the scenes to pressure the Republican appointees, I do not see them either convicting Trump or hearing the case in a timely fashion. As much as I would love to see the scenario of Trump being convicted in a timely fashion and being prevented from being President by the court, I do not think they have the guts to do it. Even now they are likely hearing through back channels that a vote against Trump will have possibly severe consequences for themselves and their families. Team Trump will do anything to insure he becomes president. The justices are not living in a vacuum, they are not immune from threats and bribery.
Well, if the courts rule that the Prez has absolute immunity before the election, then Biden can simply order tRump killed. Watch out for Dark Brandon! 😉
Problem is that they can, and have shown their stripes as political hacks by delaying and, thus, denying justice--they can pretend to oppose immunity but give Trump and the GOP what they want--delay until the issue is moot. Hard to get folks in the streets to show that we will demand change in the SCOTUS (increase the number--change the lifetime appointment, etc) if they do not start actually defending the Constitution and the rule of law. The bigotry the extreme right sells is a better motivator than the strategic importance of supporting the rule of law to preserve the democracy.
I agree. Delaying is more likely than a finding of absolute immunity. Our best bet is to give the MAGA GOP a resounding defeat in November and then with control of both chambers and the presidency to demand expansion if the court and impeachment of at least Thomas and Alito for corruption and accepting bribes.
Disagree to the extent that delay will not end this madness after the election. If you think about it, delaying will simply extend our period of disfunction long after the election. Everything will NOT be flowers and sunshine. It would be immensely preferable to remove Trump before the election than have to fight 4 more years of distraction over voter disenfranchisement.
Paula, it would make a nice movie, but why wait? why not just suspend habeas corpus and lock them all up now? maybe it would precipitate some action on the supreme court. but yes, drumpf himself has touted the death penalty for those he deems traitors on more than one occasion. over the years, how many folks have speculated what might have happened if hitler had been assasinated?
I’m sure it was in jest, but it DOES follow Trump’s own logical thread down this particular path … Of course, it does not go so far as to consider the consequences of THAT act, but that’s not the point.
The point is, if they are creating a dictator, there’s someone in the office right now they could be enabling …
I blame Biden for appointing Garland and doing nothing for 2 years. Garland and Biden are in on the coup also in my opinion. He should have began prosecuting all of the interactionist GOP bigwigs 2 years earlier including Trump!!! Typical capitalists, they want to steal all of our stuff and enslave us and live lives of luxury. They're real Christian all right!
Rulings that take away the rights of women to have control over their own bodies is a ruling that takes away our rights based on political bias. That in itself, is deplorable. In addition, creating a code of conduct with no enforcement, the acceptance of bribes and refusal to recuse are all deplorable.
Marc Nevas: There is also separation of church and state, one of the most important rules in our Constitution, and it is violated by the reversal of Roe v Wade. The better part of 50 years it was the law 'enjoyed' by women , and it was ended. Now, women's lives are threatened, and there has been the death of a young woman who was denied medical care! This is war! : at the least an attack on fertile females!
Is there any other ruling that is "deplorable"? Citizens United comes to mind as well as a ruling that immolated some clauses of the voting rights act. The SCOTUS ignored part of the Second Amendment, whereby the right to bear arms only applies to members of a well-regulated militia. For all others, the States should decide.
With respect to the Dobbs decision, I appreciate your comment, Marc.
On the bright side, States now can decide the issue for their residents, as the citizens of Ohio have done. States that criminalize abortion below 20 weeks can fulfill their pro-life religious calling to create a healthy baby by supporting a pregnant woman in need and affordable adoption services when requested. States that criminalize physicians who provide medically necessary pregnancy terminations may cause a reduction of in-State obstetrical services for their residents. Watch the fill rate of Ob-GYN training programs in States such as Florida and Texas. The diagnosis of "threatened abortion" can be controversial. I was an ER doc, so I know. I would hate to have to consider the view of a zealous State AG who would want to second guess my medical judgment, threaten me with a court action, and possibly take away my license or put me in jail for providing medical care within accepted standards. Look to physician's liability (malpractice) insurers to provide a criminal defense to their physician policy holders who practice obstetrics and emergency medicine in States such as Texas and Florida.
As a result of the Dobbs decision, Republicans have one less emotionally laden social issue with which to convince their members to vote against their own economic self-interest. Now Republicans focus on other social agendas: LGBTQ, books in school libraries, and gay marriage. The barbarians are at their gates, so they pick their own barbarian, Trump, to protect their evangelical agenda. N'est Pas?
More chilling still is that before the Enabling Law, Hitler had already imprisoned elected members of the Communist party, along with the Communist-leaning social democrats, and he was only able to do this after setting up the Gestapo as soon as he was appointed Chancellor. The remaining parliamentarians were then so terrified (think Lindsey Graham et al) that they voted overwhelmingly for the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler absolute power.
With Trump as Fuhrer, SCOTUS will be gone and the Justices will be in jail.
But he will only have the power to dismiss them if he becomes president. If they enable him, and he becomes president, he will still get rid of them because he is a fascist who wants absolute power.
That is why it's in the personal interests of all members of SCOTUS to do all they can to prevent his presidency.
Good summary, Doug. I have moved toward the conclusion that what Trump meant by "only a dictator for the first day) was that on the first day he would reinstate "Schedule F" and totally trash the Justice Department. From his perspective that would be "problem solved."
Yes he was asking for a restoral of monarchy before the Magna Carta. The Supreme Court has put our democracy in play. Even this court, however, will not rule in favor of Trump immunity. I think there’s some risk they could delay things preventing a conviction in time for the election. I guess we’ll find out to what extent our supreme court has been corrupted. I fear their intellectual capture by corrupting influences.
Dr. You hit it on the head. These people are not loyal to anyone or anything,but thier own treasonous agenda!The rules don’t apply to them,we shouldn’t be thinking that they are going to act in a normal manner!The SCOUS are a pack of fools if they think they are immune from a psychotic’s twisted ideology,Trump and his ilk have no loyalty to anyone!!
Dr. Gilbert - the supremes weren't put there to protect us, they were put there to protect their puppetmasters. This slowmotion farce of justice is infuriating, but ineviteable. We have a nominal (in name only) democracy that is an absolute reality an oligarchy. As tools of the oppressors, the court couldn't care less what we think, feel, or want. Our pursuit of happiness is subordinate to the whims of the rich and powerful in their pursuit of ever more money and power. This is not just a usa problem; it is the case worldwide. The rich stick together, and we are their pawns. best get used to it.
Paul, I agree with everything you say, except the last sentence. I am not about to “get used to it“ on the contrary, I will oppose dictatorship and oligarchy until they lock me away. Those internment camps Trump wants to build for illegal migrants are also to be used for those who oppose him.
Bernard, it was Martin Luther King Jr. who popularized that phrase in his" Letter from Birmingham Jail” smuggled out in 1963. The phrase is much more ancient, however and may have first come of note in ancient Jewish rabbinic teachings called "Pirkei Avot" translated as "Ethics of the Fathers.” In any case, it runs deeply in our modern day concept of justice. Any of us who have experienced "justice delayed" understand its veracity.
Re 6th Amendment, 1790. I looked yours up, Right to representation and right to a speedy trial. Imagine those as a defendant’s rights--desire for speedy trial to prove innocent.
Here, instead, Trump has no desire for a speedy trial. It is the American public that finds, justice delayed (for criminals to face justice) is justice denied (for everyone that is sick of time and other resources, wasted with delay of putting Trump away).
I suspect not, if only because I don't think Roberts could stand the humiliation of going down in history as Chief Justice of the most corrupt Supreme Court in US history.
Of course, if Trump wins, he won't have to worry about his place in history; he'll go down in history as the one of the heroes who ensured that President for Life Donald Trump, founder of the line of Trump Presidents for Life, took office and abolished the need for a Supreme Court.
I would prefer to say “Americans who believe in the Constitution, government for the people by the people. The authoritarian, greedy MAGA wing are also real Americans. Blinded by a false Messiah and willing to do evil. Or just evil. We cannot dismiss them. Or say they aren’t real Americans. Because they are. That is why they must be defeated. We have to work as hard as we can to get people out to vote. Please. Let us all rise up together.
Barbara, I don’t know what a “real American” is any more. We have those voters who are willing to believe that God sent us Trump to solve all our problems. There are those those such as us who are vehemently against him and his minions, and a lot of people who are confused or don’t care enough to get out and vote. From my perspective “real Americans” are those who will act on their beliefs and take action now to insure a Democratic win in all three branches of government in 2024. From what I see, Robert Reich is truly a “real American.” Inequality Media is pumping out videos and other media at a furious rate in formats that are now popular to many voters.
Margaret, as a person of Jewish heritage I find the radical Evangelical’s embrace of Trump’s fascism to be quite chilling. If Trump’s son-in-law were not Jewish, Jews would already be in his gunsights accused of a number of conspiracy theories. However, this does not stop others on Team Trump from focusing on Jews as being fair game targets in the near future. Many who currently oppose Trump’s aspirations to fascism are of Jewish heritage and this does not escape the attention of his willing surrogates. When Trump became President, hate crimes against Jews (and other minorities) rose exponentially. (Note: Not all Evangelicals embrace Trump and Trumpism. However, the radical minority of Evangelicals are shouting their support loudly.)
Margaret, this is why the churches are losing so many. They hear these evangelists using trump as their savior and it turns them away. trump is to Jesus as Mother Theresa was to the devil. They are not even close!! Jesus taught love, acceptance, hope and truth. These evangelists do not understand that and shouldn't be teaching about the word of God. They know nothing except blind devotion to an evil, vindictive, narcissistic man.
Laurie, Rob Reiner and Dan Partman are releasing a film that explores how christian nationalism is dividing our country even further. I watched an interview conducted by one of the leaders of Faithful America and they talk about how these christian nationalist are using their brand of faith as a cudgel to make people believe like them. Naturally there is resistance! Americans have the freedom to believe in whatever religion or faith they want to and these people do not want that. For them, there is no separation of church and state. Yes, many good pastors are leaving much like the teachers are leaving their profession. It is a really bad time right now and we must be strong to continue this fight. We should never surrender to authoritarianism for if we do, we have lost our country for good.
They should leave the Church and find a true Christian Church. These men are not Christians. They are blind.
There is fear, I think that a Democratic government will seek to make it difficult for Christians to practice their faith. And the struggle that we have on LGBTQ+ that violates the Bible teachings, and pornography in the school libraries. However, there are some of us that know that conversion therapy was terribly wrong and failed, that the suicide rates for GBTQ+ teenagers in the Church is off the charts. There is an excellent book "God Doesn't Make Mistakes - Confessions of a Transgender Christian" by Laurie Suzanne Scott that is essential reading. Basically, God deliberately made a person to become, for example, transgender it has nothing to do with behavior. I firmly believe this. I do struggle that that implies agreement to sodomy.
Phil, I believe that Jesus taught love and acceptance for everyone including LGBQT+. My daughter did not 'choose' to be gay, it is who she is. She has a strong relationship with her partner of over 25+ years. While her partner is agnostic, she continues in her faith. Jesus truly didn't make any mistakes. No one has the right to persecute anyone simply because of who they love. Love is love no matter what many homophobic people want to believe. It is also true with acceptance. I certainly do not know why all of a sudden this hatred of just about everyone and everything has risen in epic proportions. We have accepted interracial marriages, gays, other faiths and beliefs even if we don't agree with some of it. That is because here in America we have the freedom to love who we want and believe what we want. For me, the simple solution is, if this minority of hate-filled people do not like the LGBQT+ community, don't like Drag shows, don't like specific books, etc. then just don't associate with them!! It's very simple really. I don't like authoritarian beliefs, Neo Nazis, white supremacists so I simply do not engage! This war these far-right people want to wage is because they are determined to make all Americans believe the way they do and that is simply not going to work.
Margaret Reis ; It IS funny! Absurd, lame, unbelievable, looney, disgusting, moronic and, of course, totally false! Idiotic comes to mind, too. And don't forget : Sad!
Marc, I have found President Biden’s assertion useful for me in my deliberations on the idea of a real American. That is, America is an idea embodied in our Constitution and that includes the idea of working toward a more perfect union--out of many, one 😊 , not ‘“I alone can fix it”
The Evangelical white fake Christian nationalist want to get control of all Americans to follow their doctrine and are willing to use the grifter, liar, hateful, and traitor trump and his Radical MAGA legislators and cult followers to do their dirty work!
The alt-right got what they wanted from Agent Orange. A welfare system for the rich. They take and take. But if someone uses our social networks for help, they are the abusers of the system. We are being ruled by Billionaires and their paid in full lobbyists. I have sat across from MAGAQ people and asked them their thoughts and positions. I will report they are as smart as a door knob. . They don't read. They really don't give a shit. They are union members that vote Republican. They share their support for misogyny, bigotry, homophobia, guns, and God. Anything that is out of their comfort zone is not ok. They thrive on hating others. And King Shitpants gave it to them.
Sorry, I disagree. If a portion a radical minority refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the majority who does believe our Constitution is a means to form a more perfect union, that view cannot stand--the are not interested in ‘rising together’.
Anyone who supports an insurrection against the American government is not a real American 🇺🇸 any longer,you forfeited that privilege by being associated with traitors!
Jean, reluctantly I have to say that I doubt Roberts cares what “non-MAGA real Americans” think of him. There are and will be more compelling pressures on his decision making. Currently the population's confidence in the Supreme Court is so low, the justices have little to lose.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Roberts is interested or cares what the majority of Americans think. I do think he is concerned about his legacy and how he will be viewed in history 😊 it will be interesting to see how he squares that circle. Let’s hope it is in our nation’s favor.
As a personal victim of political influence in court (to Corporate Money)... and aware of the make-up and history of the current Supreme Court, I tremble at the thought what is gong to happen... Unfortunately like Ancient Rome, we have become completely corrupt. Some of our Supreme Court judges are beyond redemption!
Will the Supreme Court delay Trump’s potential conviction until after the 2024 election?
I say the odds are "no."
Besides immunity, which I think is a lay down, there's also the 14th Amendment cases and a pending March date in the NY Bragg prosecution, which has nothing to do with immunity.
It is not in the best interests of the Supreme Court to delay a ruling on Trump’s case, because they will be criticised for manipulating the political and voting process. It is in everybody’s self interest to conclude this case as quickly as possible. Article 3 of the 14th Amendment is written precisely and clearly and it applies to Trump’s cas
The President is supposed to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. How can Trump argue that the President is allowed to violate criminal law? It make no sense to a non-lawyer like me!
My hope largely rests with the three-judge D.C. Circuit Court panel denying Trump’s immunity claims and also lifting the stay currently blocking 1/6 pre-trial proceedings from resuming. Accordingly, Trump would have no choice but immediately to file an appeal with the Supreme Court and to seek a prompt ruling.
Though my comment begins with the phrase “my hope,” truthfully, I believe the judiciary has an obligation to enlist every means possible to block any delay tactic that would deny the public a verdict prior to it casting its votes.
Ordinarily with the SCOTUS right-wing majority, I'd say yes, that the majority would mimic Trump's strategy of delay, delay, delay.
But I'm also wondering if the SCOTUS majority (minus Clarence Thomas) is contemplating their own self-preservation at the chaos/horror of a second Trump presidency; that is, if he's elected again, what is to stop Trump from riding roughshod over the judicial system (including the SCOTUS), the same way he's boasted of drastically reorganizing the federal government?
The Supreme Court cannot legitimately drag this out and refuse to render a decision until after the election when this is an open and shut case. That would be brazen and grounds for impeachment. Biden, the Justice Department and every Democrat must put unyielding scrutiny on every right wing justice. They should openly criticize their loyalty to a cause over loyalty to the Constitution.
That said, Trump is not the main problem. The entire right wing political machine financed by mega-wealthy robber barons is the main problem. If you cut off the head, in this case Trump, the fascists will grow another head. They will not stop until they are forced to stop.
Not a clue what this SCOTUS will do. I've heard it said - by lawyers - that taking a case to trial is a crapshoot. Anyone here like playing the ponies? How 'bout the roulette wheel?
First his lawyer, John Sauer, argued yesterday that the United States Senate did not convict the Jan 6 impeachment, which I believe is political. Then he argued that Jack Smith’s case should be dismissed because it’s Political! 😳
Judge Florence Pan asked Trump’s lawyer, "Could a president order SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political rival? That's an official act: an order to SEAL Team Six.” Sauer answered that Congress would have to impeach and convict that president before he could be charged with a crime.” 😵💫
If they hurry up with that thinking, then Biden would be able to order Seal Team 6 to take out Trump and his inner circle. After that he could go after all the MAGA cult members in Congress. Too bad this isn't a video game.
Keith, that was so telling to me. It didn't make sense because Sauer said Congress would have to impeach and convict. When the majority is the same as the president, we saw what happened. trump was impeached twice and both times his majority voted against impeachment. What Sauer is saying to me is that as long as the president has the majority in Congress then he can do whatever he wants like order SEAL Team Six to assassinate whoever he wanted, fire at will whoever he wanted to fire, send troops into American cities and capture his opponents to put them in detention camps and whatever!! That simply can't be right!
The Conservative Supreme Court Justices including John Roberts have all been bought by the Federalist Society, Heritage Society, billionaires, and corporations! If they don’t follow the constitution and the rule of law, but allow Trump to operate above the law, then we should all go to DC and protest!
Roberts is too concerned about his legacy. He, like any half intelligent human, knows the evil in Trump and will not allow it to destroy our democracy. He’ll drag Kavanaugh over to the side of our common good and the better angels will prevail.
What has been missed is that a rogue president could avoid impeachment by simply putting the whole of Congress in prison. No need for the Navy Seal Team. Just have it done by the Justice Department. Put enough of Congress in Gitmo to avoid there ever being impeachment. It seems that Lawrence Tribe of Harvard has come to the same conclusion.
Let's be honest, what John Sauer was requesting was the equivalent of the 1933 Enabling Law in Germany. In the world he suggests, the president is not only above the law, he IS the law.
Let's hope that the courts finally start to understand the depths of what is in the minds of these people.
We, the voters, have to hold these enablers accountable
Keith, unfortunately, we the voters have no power or even influence on today’s Supreme Court. So far, the only successful influencers are those that appoint the judges and those that bribe them. Soon, Trump’s goons will begin to raise a specter of harm to them, their spouses, children and even grandchildren. The goons know that there are not enough Secret Service agents to guard them all. The threat of harm has a chilling effect on a person’s integrity, even justices.
The parties before the court can file motions, ask to voir dire Thomas, Alito and Roberts. make a record. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/455
Can also do guerilla law - attack state bar license, ask for discovery. Lennie Leo is a lawyer -- extremely vulnerable. So is Ginni Thomas.
Senate has issued some subpoenas.
But if Trump becomes President, none of that matters. There will be no “law”.
My point exactly!
…AAAAAAAND, so the vote matters … !
Unfortunately, trump has found out how to manipulate the courts and intimidate the judges
I truly wonder just exactly what it is that gives him such hold over the GOP, the courts, etc. Maybe he has pee tapes on all of them? Why are they so willing to kowtow to Dear Leader?
Karen: I've been asking this question for months. The silence is deafening, so deafening I'm wondering what isn't being said and why. Who else besides the GOP and the courts does trump have a hold over?
Karen, Trump has acted using a lot of the tactics of organized crime throughout his life. I have little doubt he has dirt on a lot of people in Washington and beyond. Even if it is not true, the American people will likely believe it and the victims know that. People do not often enough take time to consider if something spewed by a liar is true. When a man lied more than 30,000 times in public in 4 years, something is wrong with that man and no one should be expecting honesty from him, ever! There are discussions as to whether Trump should testify in court, but why would anyone let him do that without serious limits. They know he will lie with glee and try to redirect from the case at hand because that is who he is. My serious concern is, what is wrong with us that this horrible human being is even being considered as a candidate for anything? What does that say about our nation and our people? I am thinking it is nothing good. It is going to be We the People who care about our democracy, who must step up and stop the insanity, hopefully pulling enough others along with us.
Again: not The Supreme Court! They owe him JACK thanks to having ZERO accountability. Us American's nightmare is now BUNKERBOY'S!
William, that is really sad. Trump has no clue, but he can still spew what is put before him. Mixed with what he does still understand, he will end up a puppet who can be pushed around by the likes of Lawyer Leo who has absolutely no positive moral compass. He has learned well how to manipulate and intimidate people and they allow themselves to be intimidated, rarely standing up to say who is doing the intimidation, the threatening, the undermining. Silence is deadly. Where is our Department of Justice and why is it not acting, or if they are acting, why are We the People left believing Trump is nearly omnipotent as his cult chooses to believe? We should be able to do better!
Remove Leo and Ginnis state bar license since they are seditionists. Funded the court and over throw our Constitution, etc.
What is “voir dire?”
Normally it’s the investigation (oral questioning) of potential jury members, to determine their suitability as non-predisposed toward the accused. In this case it’s public oral questioning of the justices to determine their suitability to sit the case.
Only thing is they can perjure themselves like they did with their confirmation hearings on Roe. Call it what you want: They lied!
Clarence Thomas WAS unsuitable after Anita Hill’s testimony. But he returned with the “public lynching” remark and everyone caved. That was their big mistake.
voie is french "to see" and dire is french "to say". French is derived from latin. Together the terms have a special meaning in law which one can google.
Question re bias.
See what they say when asked questions about the issues at hand … Question them!!!
Excellent 👌 <<Voir dire (/ˈvwɑːr dɪər/; often /vɔɪr daɪər/; from an Anglo-Norman term in common law meaning "to speak the truth") is a legal term for procedures during a trial that help a judge decide certain issues:
Prospective jurors are questioned to decide whether they can be fair and impartial.
Witnesses are questioned to decide their competence to testify.
Witnesses are questioned to decide the admissibility of evidence.>>
Trump's hoard of legal minds who have the unenviable job of representing a guilty man, have their backs against the wall. They are stating, to convict Trump would be equivalent to opening "Pandora's Box," because past Presidents could be brought before a court of law for things they did while they were in office. I guess to represent a guilty man you must need money and be basically scantless to begin with. Past presidents who did things within their duties as President and broke no laws doing so, are not subject to the same proceedings as Trump because Donnie Boy tried to bring down our country in order to stay in power. Trump opened Pandora's box when he stole the 2016 election from Hillary, who by the way won that election by over 3 million votes. Trump had to resort to relying on the electoral college to win the election, underhandedly. The people even back then didn't want a crook to represent them as their President. Trump tried to circumvent the constitution in an attempt to cheat his way back into the White House in 2020. The man should relocate his residence to a federal courthouse, it would save him a great deal of valuable travel time. Face it, our country is an open box to Trump, and he wants everything that's inside, including poor Pandora.
My grandfather was a gunnery sergeant out of fort Custer in Michigan, and he fought in the trenches in France during WWI. He had a saying, "I can't make you do anything, but, I can make you wish you had."
Donald, I don’t mean to be disrespectful of your grandfather, but isn’t that strong arm statement how Trump operates? With threats, fear, intimidation and violence?
"Marlo" I finally got it, sorry.--Gramps was all of 5 foot 4 inches tall, but he was built like a stick of dynamite, and had the temperament to match. I'm sure his position as gunnery sergeant had a lot to do with it. I'm not holding his image as exemplary, just something we should keep in mind as the next election draws near. We must remain tough.
That man insisted that the Airtraffic controllers that went on strike during the Reagan administration should all be shot for treason. 11,359 individuals were subsequently fired by our sitting President because he took a gentler approach. What would Trump have done with the same situation? I wonder what caliber bullets he would have used. After all Treason is a crime punishable by death, and being a federal employee striking is an act of treason.
No, it isn't, not necessarily. Are military federal employees? We can refuse an order (at our peril of course) if it is deemed illegal or improper.
😯😯😯😯😯
Scantless: "Someone is scantless when they claim they don't have enough money, but then ask you to make change. by NicNac March 3, 2012."
Nice new word!!! Barely in slang dict., but so apt!
Cool
Mark--Odd, I found it online and checked to make sure after I was questioned on it. Scantless is there.
I googled 'define scantless' and only place I could find it was in the 'Urban dictionary' and 'Defininthing'... but I think of those as early usage, not stable in meaning since the usage is both new and rare.
But like 'scantless'.
"scantless"...?
Yvonne--Yes, scantless.
but what does that mean? can't find it in Merriam Webster or pocket Oxford.
Marc : I think Keith is looking at the long term. I truly believe that those MAGA enablers in 'Congress' have disqualified themselves by voting against the certification of President Biden's win! They are next! They should be out of 'their' seats!, and unable to run for office again! Ever! The sooner, the better!
I agree! If Biden wins, the Democrats get the House & Senate, justice will be done.
But then they'll still have to stand up to the Repubs who'll threaten to filibuster unlike they have in the past where they've gone oh, okay and not put up whatever it is they threaten to filibuster. I say tell them to go ahead & do it! Let the country see who the actual do-nothings are.
We NEED to turn the FIlibuster around to its original conrfiguration, at least — You gotta stand there and talk for the whole time you’re resisting the vote, or the vote goes forward. This ‘virtual filibuster” crapola is part of {a HUGE part of} why Congress does not function for the people any more. …. Democrats are such weanies — first chance they get, they NEED to reconstitute the original filibuster …
Marc- my hope if that does happen the SCOTUS justices will realize they have to act swiftly to stop Trump and his goons.
HISTORY is watching!!!
Kliff: Yes, they should get going! Soon!
That’s funny; you imply that some of these judges have a speck of integrity that could be at risk. 🤣
https://www.newsweek.com/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-trump-rulings-colorado-1854448
🤞
🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
Let's look at this the OTHER WAY: they owe NOTHING to the psychotic career criminal that gave them jobs!
Lifetime appointments might be GOOD here because they need to be much more aware of their public image, not what a nearly-deceased serial loser is MAGAing about on a dying social media platform.
BUT WE CAN EFFECT THE VOTE!
It’s gonna be a tough slog …
More the impetus to stop them now ,the axe is going to fall for them for sure if they get elected,they have no loyalty to anyone,a perception of the slightest betrayal,right or wrong is a death sentence!
We will, but the Trump supporters won't. They have alternate facts.
How? Beyond just voting
Given the Supreme Court's deplorable record so far and that Team Trump is likely already working overtime behind the scenes to pressure the Republican appointees, I do not see them either convicting Trump or hearing the case in a timely fashion. As much as I would love to see the scenario of Trump being convicted in a timely fashion and being prevented from being President by the court, I do not think they have the guts to do it. Even now they are likely hearing through back channels that a vote against Trump will have possibly severe consequences for themselves and their families. Team Trump will do anything to insure he becomes president. The justices are not living in a vacuum, they are not immune from threats and bribery.
Well, if the courts rule that the Prez has absolute immunity before the election, then Biden can simply order tRump killed. Watch out for Dark Brandon! 😉
Paula Dean : Excellent observation 👍
I doubt even this court will support absolute immunity,
Problem is that they can, and have shown their stripes as political hacks by delaying and, thus, denying justice--they can pretend to oppose immunity but give Trump and the GOP what they want--delay until the issue is moot. Hard to get folks in the streets to show that we will demand change in the SCOTUS (increase the number--change the lifetime appointment, etc) if they do not start actually defending the Constitution and the rule of law. The bigotry the extreme right sells is a better motivator than the strategic importance of supporting the rule of law to preserve the democracy.
I agree. Delaying is more likely than a finding of absolute immunity. Our best bet is to give the MAGA GOP a resounding defeat in November and then with control of both chambers and the presidency to demand expansion if the court and impeachment of at least Thomas and Alito for corruption and accepting bribes.
Disagree to the extent that delay will not end this madness after the election. If you think about it, delaying will simply extend our period of disfunction long after the election. Everything will NOT be flowers and sunshine. It would be immensely preferable to remove Trump before the election than have to fight 4 more years of distraction over voter disenfranchisement.
Paula, it would make a nice movie, but why wait? why not just suspend habeas corpus and lock them all up now? maybe it would precipitate some action on the supreme court. but yes, drumpf himself has touted the death penalty for those he deems traitors on more than one occasion. over the years, how many folks have speculated what might have happened if hitler had been assasinated?
He almost was, several times. If only.
Thanks Paula for sayin the quiet part out loud
Thanks Paula for saying the quiet part...
Carrying a thought thru its iterations, I see … Touche!
I hope this was in jest.
I’m sure it was in jest, but it DOES follow Trump’s own logical thread down this particular path … Of course, it does not go so far as to consider the consequences of THAT act, but that’s not the point.
The point is, if they are creating a dictator, there’s someone in the office right now they could be enabling …
Watch out what you wish for ….
Ex parte contacts must be disclosed and may constitute crimes.
Like those of Judge Thomas?
Yep.
It may be illegal, but without proof that it ever happebed there won't be any prisecutions of either judges or others.
ProPublica has been documenting....up to DOJ or Roberts to do something.
I watched Trump personally threaten Kavanaugh publicly on the news. Veiled yes, but still a threat.
I blame Biden for appointing Garland and doing nothing for 2 years. Garland and Biden are in on the coup also in my opinion. He should have began prosecuting all of the interactionist GOP bigwigs 2 years earlier including Trump!!! Typical capitalists, they want to steal all of our stuff and enslave us and live lives of luxury. They're real Christian all right!
Wow, seek help soon.
Marc. What rulings by the SCOTUS do you consider deplorable?
Rulings that take away the rights of women to have control over their own bodies is a ruling that takes away our rights based on political bias. That in itself, is deplorable. In addition, creating a code of conduct with no enforcement, the acceptance of bribes and refusal to recuse are all deplorable.
Marc Nevas: There is also separation of church and state, one of the most important rules in our Constitution, and it is violated by the reversal of Roe v Wade. The better part of 50 years it was the law 'enjoyed' by women , and it was ended. Now, women's lives are threatened, and there has been the death of a young woman who was denied medical care! This is war! : at the least an attack on fertile females!
YES & WE WON'T STOP!!!
Is there any other ruling that is "deplorable"? Citizens United comes to mind as well as a ruling that immolated some clauses of the voting rights act. The SCOTUS ignored part of the Second Amendment, whereby the right to bear arms only applies to members of a well-regulated militia. For all others, the States should decide.
With respect to the Dobbs decision, I appreciate your comment, Marc.
On the bright side, States now can decide the issue for their residents, as the citizens of Ohio have done. States that criminalize abortion below 20 weeks can fulfill their pro-life religious calling to create a healthy baby by supporting a pregnant woman in need and affordable adoption services when requested. States that criminalize physicians who provide medically necessary pregnancy terminations may cause a reduction of in-State obstetrical services for their residents. Watch the fill rate of Ob-GYN training programs in States such as Florida and Texas. The diagnosis of "threatened abortion" can be controversial. I was an ER doc, so I know. I would hate to have to consider the view of a zealous State AG who would want to second guess my medical judgment, threaten me with a court action, and possibly take away my license or put me in jail for providing medical care within accepted standards. Look to physician's liability (malpractice) insurers to provide a criminal defense to their physician policy holders who practice obstetrics and emergency medicine in States such as Texas and Florida.
As a result of the Dobbs decision, Republicans have one less emotionally laden social issue with which to convince their members to vote against their own economic self-interest. Now Republicans focus on other social agendas: LGBTQ, books in school libraries, and gay marriage. The barbarians are at their gates, so they pick their own barbarian, Trump, to protect their evangelical agenda. N'est Pas?
Good answer.
Oui!
There are approximately a dozen or more decisions made by the Roberts Court. They've undone the New Deal and Progressive Era reforms.
More chilling still is that before the Enabling Law, Hitler had already imprisoned elected members of the Communist party, along with the Communist-leaning social democrats, and he was only able to do this after setting up the Gestapo as soon as he was appointed Chancellor. The remaining parliamentarians were then so terrified (think Lindsey Graham et al) that they voted overwhelmingly for the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler absolute power.
With Trump as Fuhrer, SCOTUS will be gone and the Justices will be in jail.
Project 2025 is in the same position as the pre-Enabling Law work that was done by some of the people around Hitler. The Enabling Law itself was actually quite simple and the courts simply stood by and let it happen. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-enabling-act The Wikipedia article is also worth a read. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enabling_Act_of_1933
The decrees that followed did the detail work. BTW this is how Putin operates so there is a mentor with a modern playbook.
One can see how Agent Orange would say that he would be dictator only for a day. After that "Mein Führer" or Dear Leader.
😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯 — This is f**king damned scary …
SCOTUS will only be gone if they don't do his bidding.
But he will only have the power to dismiss them if he becomes president. If they enable him, and he becomes president, he will still get rid of them because he is a fascist who wants absolute power.
That is why it's in the personal interests of all members of SCOTUS to do all they can to prevent his presidency.
Good summary, Doug. I have moved toward the conclusion that what Trump meant by "only a dictator for the first day) was that on the first day he would reinstate "Schedule F" and totally trash the Justice Department. From his perspective that would be "problem solved."
L'etat, c'est moi.
Yes he was asking for a restoral of monarchy before the Magna Carta. The Supreme Court has put our democracy in play. Even this court, however, will not rule in favor of Trump immunity. I think there’s some risk they could delay things preventing a conviction in time for the election. I guess we’ll find out to what extent our supreme court has been corrupted. I fear their intellectual capture by corrupting influences.
Perhaps also with beheadings.
Gotta get up over the wall surrounding the court! But we don't want to copy Them! Last resort I would think 🤔
Dr. You hit it on the head. These people are not loyal to anyone or anything,but thier own treasonous agenda!The rules don’t apply to them,we shouldn’t be thinking that they are going to act in a normal manner!The SCOUS are a pack of fools if they think they are immune from a psychotic’s twisted ideology,Trump and his ilk have no loyalty to anyone!!
Dr. Gilbert - the supremes weren't put there to protect us, they were put there to protect their puppetmasters. This slowmotion farce of justice is infuriating, but ineviteable. We have a nominal (in name only) democracy that is an absolute reality an oligarchy. As tools of the oppressors, the court couldn't care less what we think, feel, or want. Our pursuit of happiness is subordinate to the whims of the rich and powerful in their pursuit of ever more money and power. This is not just a usa problem; it is the case worldwide. The rich stick together, and we are their pawns. best get used to it.
Paul, I agree with everything you say, except the last sentence. I am not about to “get used to it“ on the contrary, I will oppose dictatorship and oligarchy until they lock me away. Those internment camps Trump wants to build for illegal migrants are also to be used for those who oppose him.
Of course!
I forget who coined the phrase: Justice delayed is justice denied.
Never could that be more appropriate than to the case of Donald J. Trump.
Bernard, it was Martin Luther King Jr. who popularized that phrase in his" Letter from Birmingham Jail” smuggled out in 1963. The phrase is much more ancient, however and may have first come of note in ancient Jewish rabbinic teachings called "Pirkei Avot" translated as "Ethics of the Fathers.” In any case, it runs deeply in our modern day concept of justice. Any of us who have experienced "justice delayed" understand its veracity.
6th Amendment. 1790
Re 6th Amendment, 1790. I looked yours up, Right to representation and right to a speedy trial. Imagine those as a defendant’s rights--desire for speedy trial to prove innocent.
Here, instead, Trump has no desire for a speedy trial. It is the American public that finds, justice delayed (for criminals to face justice) is justice denied (for everyone that is sick of time and other resources, wasted with delay of putting Trump away).
I suspect not, if only because I don't think Roberts could stand the humiliation of going down in history as Chief Justice of the most corrupt Supreme Court in US history.
Of course, if Trump wins, he won't have to worry about his place in history; he'll go down in history as the one of the heroes who ensured that President for Life Donald Trump, founder of the line of Trump Presidents for Life, took office and abolished the need for a Supreme Court.
Which is yet another reason to VOTE BLUE.
Yikes!! Oh Lord, I hope and pray with all my might that trump does not win! Vote Blue, Blue, Blue!!!
If Roberts thinks for one minute that a delay like that would be accepted by non-MAGA real Americans, he has another thought coming.......
I would prefer to say “Americans who believe in the Constitution, government for the people by the people. The authoritarian, greedy MAGA wing are also real Americans. Blinded by a false Messiah and willing to do evil. Or just evil. We cannot dismiss them. Or say they aren’t real Americans. Because they are. That is why they must be defeated. We have to work as hard as we can to get people out to vote. Please. Let us all rise up together.
Barbara, I don’t know what a “real American” is any more. We have those voters who are willing to believe that God sent us Trump to solve all our problems. There are those those such as us who are vehemently against him and his minions, and a lot of people who are confused or don’t care enough to get out and vote. From my perspective “real Americans” are those who will act on their beliefs and take action now to insure a Democratic win in all three branches of government in 2024. From what I see, Robert Reich is truly a “real American.” Inequality Media is pumping out videos and other media at a furious rate in formats that are now popular to many voters.
It absolutely floored me when I saw one of the evangelists compare Trump to Jesus. If I wasn't horrified I would find it very funny.
Margaret, as a person of Jewish heritage I find the radical Evangelical’s embrace of Trump’s fascism to be quite chilling. If Trump’s son-in-law were not Jewish, Jews would already be in his gunsights accused of a number of conspiracy theories. However, this does not stop others on Team Trump from focusing on Jews as being fair game targets in the near future. Many who currently oppose Trump’s aspirations to fascism are of Jewish heritage and this does not escape the attention of his willing surrogates. When Trump became President, hate crimes against Jews (and other minorities) rose exponentially. (Note: Not all Evangelicals embrace Trump and Trumpism. However, the radical minority of Evangelicals are shouting their support loudly.)
Marc I think some want to see a religious war. Just another way to divide and conquer.
Marc, well said!
Margaret, this is why the churches are losing so many. They hear these evangelists using trump as their savior and it turns them away. trump is to Jesus as Mother Theresa was to the devil. They are not even close!! Jesus taught love, acceptance, hope and truth. These evangelists do not understand that and shouldn't be teaching about the word of God. They know nothing except blind devotion to an evil, vindictive, narcissistic man.
Peggy: I know a pastor who resigned after 20 plus years, because of this.
Laurie, Rob Reiner and Dan Partman are releasing a film that explores how christian nationalism is dividing our country even further. I watched an interview conducted by one of the leaders of Faithful America and they talk about how these christian nationalist are using their brand of faith as a cudgel to make people believe like them. Naturally there is resistance! Americans have the freedom to believe in whatever religion or faith they want to and these people do not want that. For them, there is no separation of church and state. Yes, many good pastors are leaving much like the teachers are leaving their profession. It is a really bad time right now and we must be strong to continue this fight. We should never surrender to authoritarianism for if we do, we have lost our country for good.
They should leave the Church and find a true Christian Church. These men are not Christians. They are blind.
There is fear, I think that a Democratic government will seek to make it difficult for Christians to practice their faith. And the struggle that we have on LGBTQ+ that violates the Bible teachings, and pornography in the school libraries. However, there are some of us that know that conversion therapy was terribly wrong and failed, that the suicide rates for GBTQ+ teenagers in the Church is off the charts. There is an excellent book "God Doesn't Make Mistakes - Confessions of a Transgender Christian" by Laurie Suzanne Scott that is essential reading. Basically, God deliberately made a person to become, for example, transgender it has nothing to do with behavior. I firmly believe this. I do struggle that that implies agreement to sodomy.
I am really a Bernie Sanders fan.
Phil, I believe that Jesus taught love and acceptance for everyone including LGBQT+. My daughter did not 'choose' to be gay, it is who she is. She has a strong relationship with her partner of over 25+ years. While her partner is agnostic, she continues in her faith. Jesus truly didn't make any mistakes. No one has the right to persecute anyone simply because of who they love. Love is love no matter what many homophobic people want to believe. It is also true with acceptance. I certainly do not know why all of a sudden this hatred of just about everyone and everything has risen in epic proportions. We have accepted interracial marriages, gays, other faiths and beliefs even if we don't agree with some of it. That is because here in America we have the freedom to love who we want and believe what we want. For me, the simple solution is, if this minority of hate-filled people do not like the LGBQT+ community, don't like Drag shows, don't like specific books, etc. then just don't associate with them!! It's very simple really. I don't like authoritarian beliefs, Neo Nazis, white supremacists so I simply do not engage! This war these far-right people want to wage is because they are determined to make all Americans believe the way they do and that is simply not going to work.
Margaret Reis ; It IS funny! Absurd, lame, unbelievable, looney, disgusting, moronic and, of course, totally false! Idiotic comes to mind, too. And don't forget : Sad!
He is (who is he by the way) a false Evangelist that Jesus warned us about.
Marc, I have found President Biden’s assertion useful for me in my deliberations on the idea of a real American. That is, America is an idea embodied in our Constitution and that includes the idea of working toward a more perfect union--out of many, one 😊 , not ‘“I alone can fix it”
Beautiful!
I think the term “real American” should be thrown out. It’s inflammatory and doesn’t actually mean anything.
The Evangelical white fake Christian nationalist want to get control of all Americans to follow their doctrine and are willing to use the grifter, liar, hateful, and traitor trump and his Radical MAGA legislators and cult followers to do their dirty work!
The alt-right got what they wanted from Agent Orange. A welfare system for the rich. They take and take. But if someone uses our social networks for help, they are the abusers of the system. We are being ruled by Billionaires and their paid in full lobbyists. I have sat across from MAGAQ people and asked them their thoughts and positions. I will report they are as smart as a door knob. . They don't read. They really don't give a shit. They are union members that vote Republican. They share their support for misogyny, bigotry, homophobia, guns, and God. Anything that is out of their comfort zone is not ok. They thrive on hating others. And King Shitpants gave it to them.
Sorry, I disagree. If a portion a radical minority refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the majority who does believe our Constitution is a means to form a more perfect union, that view cannot stand--the are not interested in ‘rising together’.
I meant that those of us who do believe in democracy and the Constitution must rise up together to get out the vote and defeat MAGA candidates.
Anyone who supports an insurrection against the American government is not a real American 🇺🇸 any longer,you forfeited that privilege by being associated with traitors!
Jean, reluctantly I have to say that I doubt Roberts cares what “non-MAGA real Americans” think of him. There are and will be more compelling pressures on his decision making. Currently the population's confidence in the Supreme Court is so low, the justices have little to lose.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Roberts is interested or cares what the majority of Americans think. I do think he is concerned about his legacy and how he will be viewed in history 😊 it will be interesting to see how he squares that circle. Let’s hope it is in our nation’s favor.
As a personal victim of political influence in court (to Corporate Money)... and aware of the make-up and history of the current Supreme Court, I tremble at the thought what is gong to happen... Unfortunately like Ancient Rome, we have become completely corrupt. Some of our Supreme Court judges are beyond redemption!
Norman, I very reluctantly agree with you.
Will the Supreme Court delay Trump’s potential conviction until after the 2024 election?
I say the odds are "no."
Besides immunity, which I think is a lay down, there's also the 14th Amendment cases and a pending March date in the NY Bragg prosecution, which has nothing to do with immunity.
It is not in the best interests of the Supreme Court to delay a ruling on Trump’s case, because they will be criticised for manipulating the political and voting process. It is in everybody’s self interest to conclude this case as quickly as possible. Article 3 of the 14th Amendment is written precisely and clearly and it applies to Trump’s cas
One would think an innocent party would want the case resolved sooner than later..
That Trump could suspend his cases over the ridiculous claim he has immunity in order to delay until he can pardon himself is the true coup.
The President is supposed to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. How can Trump argue that the President is allowed to violate criminal law? It make no sense to a non-lawyer like me!
Per Orwell's Animal Farm:
"The President is supposed to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.....by Others."
My hope largely rests with the three-judge D.C. Circuit Court panel denying Trump’s immunity claims and also lifting the stay currently blocking 1/6 pre-trial proceedings from resuming. Accordingly, Trump would have no choice but immediately to file an appeal with the Supreme Court and to seek a prompt ruling.
Though my comment begins with the phrase “my hope,” truthfully, I believe the judiciary has an obligation to enlist every means possible to block any delay tactic that would deny the public a verdict prior to it casting its votes.
Ordinarily with the SCOTUS right-wing majority, I'd say yes, that the majority would mimic Trump's strategy of delay, delay, delay.
But I'm also wondering if the SCOTUS majority (minus Clarence Thomas) is contemplating their own self-preservation at the chaos/horror of a second Trump presidency; that is, if he's elected again, what is to stop Trump from riding roughshod over the judicial system (including the SCOTUS), the same way he's boasted of drastically reorganizing the federal government?
My crystal ball is broken, but it is difficult to conceive that the Court would side with an obvious criminal and obstructor of justice.
Have you heard of the phrase, “Honor among thieves.”
Larry LaVerdure I have described that phenomenon as the 'dealings' of MAGAS.
Yea but Laurie, I think the justices use a magic eight ball so it could be kind iffy!
Peggy: They are certainly behind the 8 ball!
The Supreme Court cannot legitimately drag this out and refuse to render a decision until after the election when this is an open and shut case. That would be brazen and grounds for impeachment. Biden, the Justice Department and every Democrat must put unyielding scrutiny on every right wing justice. They should openly criticize their loyalty to a cause over loyalty to the Constitution.
That said, Trump is not the main problem. The entire right wing political machine financed by mega-wealthy robber barons is the main problem. If you cut off the head, in this case Trump, the fascists will grow another head. They will not stop until they are forced to stop.
Not a clue what this SCOTUS will do. I've heard it said - by lawyers - that taking a case to trial is a crapshoot. Anyone here like playing the ponies? How 'bout the roulette wheel?
UPDATE: I like this take: https://youtu.be/yHX9OBirX1g?si=jOa_LV8-xReIA_4O
It reminds us that nothing requires the SCOTUS to even take the case. They can let the appellate ruling stand.
Trump cannot have it both ways!
First his lawyer, John Sauer, argued yesterday that the United States Senate did not convict the Jan 6 impeachment, which I believe is political. Then he argued that Jack Smith’s case should be dismissed because it’s Political! 😳
Judge Florence Pan asked Trump’s lawyer, "Could a president order SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political rival? That's an official act: an order to SEAL Team Six.” Sauer answered that Congress would have to impeach and convict that president before he could be charged with a crime.” 😵💫
If they hurry up with that thinking, then Biden would be able to order Seal Team 6 to take out Trump and his inner circle. After that he could go after all the MAGA cult members in Congress. Too bad this isn't a video game.
Keith, that was so telling to me. It didn't make sense because Sauer said Congress would have to impeach and convict. When the majority is the same as the president, we saw what happened. trump was impeached twice and both times his majority voted against impeachment. What Sauer is saying to me is that as long as the president has the majority in Congress then he can do whatever he wants like order SEAL Team Six to assassinate whoever he wanted, fire at will whoever he wanted to fire, send troops into American cities and capture his opponents to put them in detention camps and whatever!! That simply can't be right!
For the charge of inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The House voted to impeach
But the Senate that needs 2/3s vote to impeach failed to do so even though a majority of senators voted, including 7 GOP Senators, to impeach Trump.
That makes it extremely hard to do then, doesn't it?
It’s like being between a rock and a hard place
The Conservative Supreme Court Justices including John Roberts have all been bought by the Federalist Society, Heritage Society, billionaires, and corporations! If they don’t follow the constitution and the rule of law, but allow Trump to operate above the law, then we should all go to DC and protest!
Do we storm the capital or the court? Or both.
The Capital is sacred! We protest at the Supreme Court! I have no respect now for the bought and sold six conservative justices!
Roberts is too concerned about his legacy. He, like any half intelligent human, knows the evil in Trump and will not allow it to destroy our democracy. He’ll drag Kavanaugh over to the side of our common good and the better angels will prevail.