If you’ve read anything I’m written about Donald Trump. you know that I am not a fan of the man. Among other things, I believe that he is a clear and present danger to our country and our democracy. I base that opinion not only on the actions Trump previously took as President, but on the man’s own words that he will act as an authoritarian if elected this November and will use the immense power of the federal government to reward his friends and punish his enemies.
That being the case, you might think that I am overjoyed that Trump was convicted on all 34 counts he was charged with in New York. However, I’m not. Let me explain.
I paid close attention to Trump’s trial, reading testimony from the trial during the day and watching coverage of the proceedings at night. I think I’m pretty knowledgeable about what went on in court. From that perspective, I feel the jury got it right. The evidence was overwhelming. Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, got a lot of the attention and criticism because he is a convicted felon who previously lied in court. However, the most damning evidence against Trump came from his friend, David Pecker, and witness Stormy Daniels, both of whom corroborated much of Cohen’s testimony.
I’m also satisfied with the verdict because I think it’s imperative that leading up to the most important election in the history of our country, that all Americans have a full and clear picture of who Donald Trump really is and what lengths he went to to influence the 2016 Presidential election. An acquittal of the FPOTUS might have given people the mistaken belief that Donald Trump is an innocent man. That’s not what the evidence against him showed, and it’s important that everyone see that fact as clearly as possible before they have the opportunity to reject his Presidential candidacy or return him to the White House.
But I’m also sad. I’m sad that a person that once served our country in its highest office has left an indelible stain on that office. I’m sad that a court in this country was put in the position of having to judge the illegal behavior of a FPOTUS. And I’m sad that for the first time in our nation’s 248 year history, a President of the United States, after leaving office, was found guilty of felonious illegal behavior. Even though I contend that the verdict was correct, it was nonetheless sad.
The verdict was sad for another reason. Actually, let me rephrase that. The reaction to the verdict by people who should be supporting our nation’s institutions is sad. Let me give you a few examples.
Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA): “Time for Red State AGs and DAs to get busy.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL): “The verdict in New York is a complete travesty that makes a mockery of our system of justice. A political show trial conducted by an openly pro-Biden judge whose daughter makes money off the case, a jury from the most liberal county in America, absurd and ridiculous charges and outrageous jury instructions that guaranteed guilty verdicts. Biden and the Trump deranged left will stop at nothing to remain in power.”
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): “After this travesty of justice, our judicial system will never be the same. How can this not be considered the most egregious example of election interference?”
Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA): “Today is a shameful day in American history. Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges, predicated on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon. This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one. The weaponization of our justice system has been a hallmark of the Biden Administration, and the decision today is further evidence that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents. The American people see this as lawfare, and they know it is wrong—and dangerous. President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict—and he WILL WIN!”
These comments (and others) are a disgrace. The are shameful. You can’t be a fan of our judicial system and the rule of law only when your side wins. You also can’t be a good and faithful public servant while tearing down one of the pillars of our democracy.
No one is above the law, not even a FPOTUS. That is a good thing. That is a necessary thing if we are to have a government of, by, and for the people. And when people like those elected officials quoted above attack the judiciary and the rule of law, they weaken our democracy and our Constitutional form of government, and push us ever closer toward an authoritarian future.
These people were elected to carry out the will of the people, to maintain and strengthen our democracy. Instead, they attack our country and our governmental institutions, damaging the very democracy and Constitution they were elected to protect.
It’s a travesty that any of these people, would attack the court, the prosecution, the jury, and the very law involved in the case, rather than accept that the system worked the way it was supposed to work. The way it works on a daily basis, holding wrongdoers to account for their illegal behavior.
Just as a reminder, the Manhattan DAs office investigated the case against Trump and took the gathered evidence to a grand jury. The grand jury issued an indictment against the FPOTUS. Trump had the opportunity to mount a vigorous defense against those charges, and a jury of his peers considered both sides of the case. This was not a witch hunt. These were not trumped up charges. This was not a kangaroo court. The case was not rigged.
During every step of the process, Trump was treated like every other citizen (often better). He was notified of the charges against him, he was allowed to defend himself in open court, he was allowed to speak on his own behalf (he chose not to), and a jury of his fellow citizens found that the evidence against him was sufficient to convict him on all counts.
I have no doubt that Donald Trump will appeal the verdict. That is his right. However, in addition to being adjudicated liable for fraud and sexual assault in separate civil trials, Donald Trump is also now a convicted felon. It’s important that voters know all of this before casting their vote.
