I still think he'll flee. His lawyers are probably trying to get him to deal. The odds against winning on all 78 counts so far, with more pending are astronomical. By all accounts, his election PACs are nearly bankrupt and by paying legal bills open them up to FEC violations. Some of his lawyers are getting collateral attacks for conflicts and maybe contempt.
DOJ can potentially bring another 5 or 6 indictments against Trump. Insurrection. Seditious conspiracy. Advocating overthrow of Government. Fraud against his donors. IMHO can reopen the Mueller obstruction charges. IMHO he's probably an unregistered agent of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Oman......https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/us/politics/trump-liv-golf-saudi-arabia.html
By November 2024 he'll have judgments that exceed his assets, and bankruptcy is precluded as a matter of law.
Whoever becomes president in 2025 should absolutely not pardon Trump. IMHO, the Republican candidates who have promised to pardon Trump if elected have, in so doing, disqualified themselves from the presidency.
What is not discussed in the context of a pardon is all the work and thought that go into a criminal prosecution, especially a complex one, such those against Trump. Prosecutors and FBI investigators spent thousands of hours obtaining and reviewing documents, interviewing witnesses, obtaining testimony, presenting evidence to the grand jury, ensuring that they have sufficient evidence for a conviction that will stand on appeal. Even drafting the indictment likely took many hours, much thought, and numerous revisions to get it just right. A pardon throws all that out the window.
When Trump proclaims that the indictment could have been brought on January 7, 2021 and prosecutors were just sitting around waiting for him to declare his candidacy for president, he is, yet again, misleading the public. When Trump as president abused his pardon power to pardon his criminal cronies such as Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, he was sneering at our hard-working law enforcement officers.
They are still arresting insurrection actors so it is not over yet. All should be punished. Trump who accepts no responsibility needs to be held responsible. Dems need a big get out and vote to get both houses.
Aug 5, 2023·edited Aug 5, 2023Liked by Robert Reich
Scott Galloway wrote yesterday suggesting Trump will ultimately plea bargain due to his fear of actually going to jail. My eyes popped open at this scenario. Trump is well-known for his way of squirming, delaying, blaming others and using money to buy off his accusers. Given the government (as a whole) cannot be bought off, it really makes sense to me that Trump will do anything except honorably stand trial. Galloway's logic is persuasive. Likely the shape of a plea would be Trump agrees to never hold public office in exchange for greatly reduced punishments, e.g. paying fines, house arrest, long probation, etc. From my point of view, for that prick Trump to never hold office again would be a sufficient result, one that would protect Americans, democracy, American foreign policy and the rule of law. Likely such an outcome would dissuade wannabes from following Trump's example. Good enough I say...
Our country suffered an embarrassment because of the Watergate scandal which was orchestrated under the watchful eye of the 37 President of the United States, Richard Nixon. Without rehashing over old news that we all lived through let's just say Nixon was the modern-day epitome of a dishonest president. Up until now when things went bad for an administration it was always compared to Nixon's time in office. However, we are living through a moment when a new benchmark for corruption has been established. Donald Trump has redefined the depths to which fraudulence and deception can ensnare a President. From this time forth Trump will be the new "low-water-mark" others will be compared to, Richard Nixon just got shoved in the back seat. The scars Mr. Trump has rendered upon our country will be evident for generations to come and hopefully never duplicated. This is what you get when a so-called personality drives an election over that of personal qualifications. Trump is a social reject, as a child he was coddled by his father's money and power to the point where Donnie Boy feared nothing and did anything without repercussions. Laws and social restrictions were a hindrance to him for he knew Daddy was always there to fix things after they went South. The man is a human weed that has never been under any form of control and once he entered the White House he was all over Pandora's "Box." Trump came from a privileged position and it gave rise to how he viewed others. He looks down on everyone and everything. Losing his ability to relate to those beneath his station Donald Trump has become a bonified criminal. The law applies to others but not to him, that statement defines the man and his attitude toward life itself, given the opportunity he would be "King." A crown of thorns constructed from one of his golf course thickets would suffice. My advice to Mr. Trump, invest in a company that makes soap-on-a-rope.
Having perused comments as well, I refer you to Martha Ture whose link to an article by a former intelligence officer make the case for the “clear and present danger” within our nation from Trumpism (with or without the man although his prosecution is essential to the survival of our Democracy). The cult must be exposed to truth and no citizen may hide their shattered nerves and fears in the sand awaiting a savior from elsewhere; we must save ourselves becoming activists all to survive this threat. Trump must be held accountable by whatever means Jack Smith puts forward as winnable in a court of law. We must look to each other in these perilous times for support as I shake simply thinking of the consequences should we lose this war within. ❤️🇺🇸🕊️
Whatever happens will be largely shaped by the media presentations of "Reality". Lippmans' book on Public Opinion warned about the influence of disinformation and the techniques of persuasion on the course of our nation. The conservative movement has out maneuvered, out monied, out smarted and overpowered the progressives for a long time. They got the media, the judiciary, and what little progressive media influencers are left are operating a ratings driven circus where Trump is bad for America but great for ratings. Former Republican architects of this disaster, who hired the likes of Lee Atwater and Roger Stone, now smile at us on MSNBC, being all respectable and validated commentators on the monstrosity they willingly helped create. Trump could never have infected the public mind so completely without mass media playing into the game plan of political strategists and their dark arts of cognitive deceit.
Today's klatch was about two bullies. I don't think Biden will pardon Trump, and I don't think the trial will be delayed until after the election. There would be such an uproar if either happened! We have the example of Nixon's pardon as a guide on what not to do, and why. On bully #2, I'm still using Twitter, and still calling it that (free speech) because there are people on it I get good information from. When that's no longer true, I'll quit it. I find substack is giving me new people to listen to, and I hope more people will switch to it.
Robert, I wish experts on the US economy, including our president and his advisors, would include the HUGE problem of housing insecurity in these discussions. I rarely hear it mentioned. How do people actually get to their cars (carrying the morning Starbucks haul) and not see the hundreds of people who cannot afford rent? I recently made a trip to pick up my brother after his discharge from the hospital. We made a mini cross country journey to find assistance for him because he is unable to return to his job. It was an eye opener! Motel rooms (1, shared, 2-3 star places) without kitchens exceeded $1000/week! Uber/Lyft rides starting at $15 & up to $30 because the cheapo motels are not in town centers. Takeout food from Ronald's place or similar going for as much as $15-$20 - and the scarcity of motel rooms at all due to social service agencies and local governments using them to house mothers and children who would otherwise be homeless. Wait lists of a year for help of any sort from medical appointments to places to live. Four months later after a $12K effort to get him help I left him in a general hospital (for now). This does not resemble a healthy economy to me. People must be able to afford housing!! The gouging has to stop.
I think humanity needs to win. As a whole. That life is valued. That sacred is not a law but a call to conscience. We humans are the defenders of justice until justice forsakes us.
Jack Smith will get the Jan. 6 indictments to trial by early 2024. In the meantime, Trump will challenge whether the court has the "stones" to detain him for his illegal public threats regarding Smith, the Judge, and Washington D.C. He will be found guilty and, if not detained, will likely seek exile in Russia or some other country which doesn't have an extradition agreement with the U.S.A. Maybe he'll get an apartment next to Edward Snowden.
Regarding Biden and the fact his "numbers" are failing to increase despite the EXCELLENT economic news - I believe the reason for that is the focus of our "liberal media" on Trump 24/7. Most Americans have no idea why the economy is doing so well - in fact, many people I talk to don't know it is doing well - they still think it's "in the tank." I've talked to a half a dozen "educated" people who don't understand, for example, how inflation works. I think Biden has been so busy governing that he, and his administration, have demonstrated, once again, that democrats are lousy at messaging.
As far as Elon Musk is concerned - he's showed people who he is. Most people I know don't seem to care, but, to me, he's an example of why "back in the day" excess wealth was taxed at around 90%. That's not going to happen in today's environment, but a "wealth tax" is necessary plus Congress needs to regulate Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, What's App, etc. etc. I believe the EU has already passed regulations which are preventing some of what Musk wants to do. Musk, Thiel, Zuckerberg, etc. - to me the division in our country was exasperated by the influx of social media and Billionaires who know how to make money by turning their computer skills into massive fortunes.
🎅, the Easter Bunny 🐰, god will take care of the just, the meek shall inherit the earth . Widely believed concepts but just myths. This is the one and only life we we get , there is no heaven or hell there is just this life.
There shouldn't be ANY talk of a pardon from Biden or any other Democrat. A pardon would send a message to every Republican wannabe dictator that if you are elected to the office of the president you can act with impunity.
When Ford robbed Americans' of justice by pardoning Nixon, he didn't "heal" anything. He created a festering wound that persists today. It also set the stage for future debacles such as Iran Contra.
Dear Heather: don’t be afraid to leave “X”. Supporting a platform that supports hate and disinformation to try to be “one of the good guys” is a misuse of altruism. You end up helping to prop up that which you despise. It’s time to move away. Twitter is dead.
I still think he'll flee. His lawyers are probably trying to get him to deal. The odds against winning on all 78 counts so far, with more pending are astronomical. By all accounts, his election PACs are nearly bankrupt and by paying legal bills open them up to FEC violations. Some of his lawyers are getting collateral attacks for conflicts and maybe contempt.
DOJ can potentially bring another 5 or 6 indictments against Trump. Insurrection. Seditious conspiracy. Advocating overthrow of Government. Fraud against his donors. IMHO can reopen the Mueller obstruction charges. IMHO he's probably an unregistered agent of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Oman......https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/us/politics/trump-liv-golf-saudi-arabia.html
By November 2024 he'll have judgments that exceed his assets, and bankruptcy is precluded as a matter of law.
Whoever becomes president in 2025 should absolutely not pardon Trump. IMHO, the Republican candidates who have promised to pardon Trump if elected have, in so doing, disqualified themselves from the presidency.
What is not discussed in the context of a pardon is all the work and thought that go into a criminal prosecution, especially a complex one, such those against Trump. Prosecutors and FBI investigators spent thousands of hours obtaining and reviewing documents, interviewing witnesses, obtaining testimony, presenting evidence to the grand jury, ensuring that they have sufficient evidence for a conviction that will stand on appeal. Even drafting the indictment likely took many hours, much thought, and numerous revisions to get it just right. A pardon throws all that out the window.
When Trump proclaims that the indictment could have been brought on January 7, 2021 and prosecutors were just sitting around waiting for him to declare his candidacy for president, he is, yet again, misleading the public. When Trump as president abused his pardon power to pardon his criminal cronies such as Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, he was sneering at our hard-working law enforcement officers.
They are still arresting insurrection actors so it is not over yet. All should be punished. Trump who accepts no responsibility needs to be held responsible. Dems need a big get out and vote to get both houses.
Scott Galloway wrote yesterday suggesting Trump will ultimately plea bargain due to his fear of actually going to jail. My eyes popped open at this scenario. Trump is well-known for his way of squirming, delaying, blaming others and using money to buy off his accusers. Given the government (as a whole) cannot be bought off, it really makes sense to me that Trump will do anything except honorably stand trial. Galloway's logic is persuasive. Likely the shape of a plea would be Trump agrees to never hold public office in exchange for greatly reduced punishments, e.g. paying fines, house arrest, long probation, etc. From my point of view, for that prick Trump to never hold office again would be a sufficient result, one that would protect Americans, democracy, American foreign policy and the rule of law. Likely such an outcome would dissuade wannabes from following Trump's example. Good enough I say...
A new low--
Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>
Our country suffered an embarrassment because of the Watergate scandal which was orchestrated under the watchful eye of the 37 President of the United States, Richard Nixon. Without rehashing over old news that we all lived through let's just say Nixon was the modern-day epitome of a dishonest president. Up until now when things went bad for an administration it was always compared to Nixon's time in office. However, we are living through a moment when a new benchmark for corruption has been established. Donald Trump has redefined the depths to which fraudulence and deception can ensnare a President. From this time forth Trump will be the new "low-water-mark" others will be compared to, Richard Nixon just got shoved in the back seat. The scars Mr. Trump has rendered upon our country will be evident for generations to come and hopefully never duplicated. This is what you get when a so-called personality drives an election over that of personal qualifications. Trump is a social reject, as a child he was coddled by his father's money and power to the point where Donnie Boy feared nothing and did anything without repercussions. Laws and social restrictions were a hindrance to him for he knew Daddy was always there to fix things after they went South. The man is a human weed that has never been under any form of control and once he entered the White House he was all over Pandora's "Box." Trump came from a privileged position and it gave rise to how he viewed others. He looks down on everyone and everything. Losing his ability to relate to those beneath his station Donald Trump has become a bonified criminal. The law applies to others but not to him, that statement defines the man and his attitude toward life itself, given the opportunity he would be "King." A crown of thorns constructed from one of his golf course thickets would suffice. My advice to Mr. Trump, invest in a company that makes soap-on-a-rope.
Having perused comments as well, I refer you to Martha Ture whose link to an article by a former intelligence officer make the case for the “clear and present danger” within our nation from Trumpism (with or without the man although his prosecution is essential to the survival of our Democracy). The cult must be exposed to truth and no citizen may hide their shattered nerves and fears in the sand awaiting a savior from elsewhere; we must save ourselves becoming activists all to survive this threat. Trump must be held accountable by whatever means Jack Smith puts forward as winnable in a court of law. We must look to each other in these perilous times for support as I shake simply thinking of the consequences should we lose this war within. ❤️🇺🇸🕊️
Whatever happens will be largely shaped by the media presentations of "Reality". Lippmans' book on Public Opinion warned about the influence of disinformation and the techniques of persuasion on the course of our nation. The conservative movement has out maneuvered, out monied, out smarted and overpowered the progressives for a long time. They got the media, the judiciary, and what little progressive media influencers are left are operating a ratings driven circus where Trump is bad for America but great for ratings. Former Republican architects of this disaster, who hired the likes of Lee Atwater and Roger Stone, now smile at us on MSNBC, being all respectable and validated commentators on the monstrosity they willingly helped create. Trump could never have infected the public mind so completely without mass media playing into the game plan of political strategists and their dark arts of cognitive deceit.
Today's klatch was about two bullies. I don't think Biden will pardon Trump, and I don't think the trial will be delayed until after the election. There would be such an uproar if either happened! We have the example of Nixon's pardon as a guide on what not to do, and why. On bully #2, I'm still using Twitter, and still calling it that (free speech) because there are people on it I get good information from. When that's no longer true, I'll quit it. I find substack is giving me new people to listen to, and I hope more people will switch to it.
Hold the lawbreakers accountable!
Robert, I wish experts on the US economy, including our president and his advisors, would include the HUGE problem of housing insecurity in these discussions. I rarely hear it mentioned. How do people actually get to their cars (carrying the morning Starbucks haul) and not see the hundreds of people who cannot afford rent? I recently made a trip to pick up my brother after his discharge from the hospital. We made a mini cross country journey to find assistance for him because he is unable to return to his job. It was an eye opener! Motel rooms (1, shared, 2-3 star places) without kitchens exceeded $1000/week! Uber/Lyft rides starting at $15 & up to $30 because the cheapo motels are not in town centers. Takeout food from Ronald's place or similar going for as much as $15-$20 - and the scarcity of motel rooms at all due to social service agencies and local governments using them to house mothers and children who would otherwise be homeless. Wait lists of a year for help of any sort from medical appointments to places to live. Four months later after a $12K effort to get him help I left him in a general hospital (for now). This does not resemble a healthy economy to me. People must be able to afford housing!! The gouging has to stop.
I think humanity needs to win. As a whole. That life is valued. That sacred is not a law but a call to conscience. We humans are the defenders of justice until justice forsakes us.
Jack Smith will get the Jan. 6 indictments to trial by early 2024. In the meantime, Trump will challenge whether the court has the "stones" to detain him for his illegal public threats regarding Smith, the Judge, and Washington D.C. He will be found guilty and, if not detained, will likely seek exile in Russia or some other country which doesn't have an extradition agreement with the U.S.A. Maybe he'll get an apartment next to Edward Snowden.
Regarding Biden and the fact his "numbers" are failing to increase despite the EXCELLENT economic news - I believe the reason for that is the focus of our "liberal media" on Trump 24/7. Most Americans have no idea why the economy is doing so well - in fact, many people I talk to don't know it is doing well - they still think it's "in the tank." I've talked to a half a dozen "educated" people who don't understand, for example, how inflation works. I think Biden has been so busy governing that he, and his administration, have demonstrated, once again, that democrats are lousy at messaging.
As far as Elon Musk is concerned - he's showed people who he is. Most people I know don't seem to care, but, to me, he's an example of why "back in the day" excess wealth was taxed at around 90%. That's not going to happen in today's environment, but a "wealth tax" is necessary plus Congress needs to regulate Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, What's App, etc. etc. I believe the EU has already passed regulations which are preventing some of what Musk wants to do. Musk, Thiel, Zuckerberg, etc. - to me the division in our country was exasperated by the influx of social media and Billionaires who know how to make money by turning their computer skills into massive fortunes.
Justice is a myth, like Santa
🎅, the Easter Bunny 🐰, god will take care of the just, the meek shall inherit the earth . Widely believed concepts but just myths. This is the one and only life we we get , there is no heaven or hell there is just this life.
There shouldn't be ANY talk of a pardon from Biden or any other Democrat. A pardon would send a message to every Republican wannabe dictator that if you are elected to the office of the president you can act with impunity.
When Ford robbed Americans' of justice by pardoning Nixon, he didn't "heal" anything. He created a festering wound that persists today. It also set the stage for future debacles such as Iran Contra.
Dear Heather: don’t be afraid to leave “X”. Supporting a platform that supports hate and disinformation to try to be “one of the good guys” is a misuse of altruism. You end up helping to prop up that which you despise. It’s time to move away. Twitter is dead.
I don’t like the Medicaid cuts from people who still need healthcare