Consequently, all of the evidence and legal arguments Smith puts forward will simply be dismissed by the MAGA minions as false charges promoted by the deep state to destroy Trump.
The majority of Americans remain grounded in reality and committed to the rule of law.
Right now, Trump and his supporters can bellow through the silence as he is the sole newsmaker. Once the trials begin, this dynamic will shift, leaving Smith and his team as the newsmakers. As Trump feels more cornered, he becomes more rabid. He will appear more extreme, deranged and aggressive. His behavior will simply be more alienating and unhinged. At that point, the fever will break and the house of cards will crumble.
Heads up here. I have disliked Donald Trump since I first learned about him and he hasn't gotten better with age. If people are still excusing this sad excuse for a man, that is their problem. Our collective problem is to save our democracy from tyrants and oligarchs. If that is not enough to bring people together then perhaps I really don't understand my fellow Americans.
It's too bad we can't separate the political candidate from the office holder. And I'm tired of hearing that lying in politics is protected speech, and that it's expected.
But in this case the campaign is over, the election results are in, and the Chief Executive, in office, is lying about it. This is not what the authors of the 1st Amendment meant by freedom of speech.
Early in Charlie’s piece it was mentioned that children will read about this in history books. My fear is that they won’t. If Trump or any of his ilk become President , Trump will be pardoned. If Trump himself wins, he’ll declare himself President for Life and, as someone wrote recently, we’ll no longer have a democracy. History books will be rewritten and violence will befall any educator who dares teach the truth. Pessimistic view? Very. But I remember how I cried in 2016. My late husband, my daughter and some friends all said, “Give him a chance. He may turn out the be okay.” If he or someone like him become President, it will be the insidious ending of life as we know it.
Republicans will simultaneously argue that Trump had no idea that his claims were fraudulent, that he was a victim of bad information by crooked lawyers, but also that he’s competent enough to be President of the United States.
Thank you for the audio version. Absolutely riveting, fact-based and damning (the computer-generated reading is remarkably good as well).The only solutions for MAGA are either 1) Not read/listen to it at all, and/or 2) Deny it all since, by definition, all sources of fact are, by definition deep state conspirators, and/or 3) Hunterrrr and Hillaryyyyy!!!!
I haven’t checked in with my MAGA mother in law for a while. I wonder if she’s still going to vote for him after all this. She believes Trump gave us the best economy and that he’s a Christian. I’m going to ask her if she would support a guy who couldn’t even apply for an apartment.
I see The Wall Street Journal editorial board has kinda, sorta come around. They say Trump behaved badly and should have resigned after January 6, but that Trump shouldn't be prosecuted. I guess that's progress.
This life long liberal independent loves the Bulwark, because i believe true Republicans and Democrats love our country more than any party or person. They will defend democracy and freedom from autocracy and tyrants. Thank you for reassuring me.
One thing I don't like in the indictment is the statement that Trump had the right to lie about the election. I realize this is a criminal indictment, and that they are merely pointing out that it isn't illegal to lie, but lying about election results puts the stability and security of the country at risk. Presidents who claim that our elections are corrupt based on zero evidence are not just exercising their first amendment rights, they are violating their oath of office, and candidates who do it should never be allowed the opportunity to take the oath in the first place.
I agree with everything you said about what his lies have done, but they were not illegal. His words just like his incitement of the protesters on Jan 6 is protected political speech under the first amendment. What Smith did was shoot down this argument before his lawyers could make it.
It's too bad we can't separate the political candidate from the office holder. And I'm tired of hearing that lying in politics is protected speech, and that it's expected.
But in this case the campaign is over, the election results are in, and the Chief Executive, in office, is lying about it. This is not what the authors of the 1st Amendment meant by freedom of speech.
True, but Trump apologists lean heavily on the "it wasn't illegal", or "he had the right to do it" defense, as though anything he did that wasn't illegal was therefore okay. I think this is a problem with relying on the courts to do what elected officials should have. Lawyers who were caught lying are losing their licenses to practice, even though they have a first amendment right to lie, because lying violates their professional ethics.
I don't mean to criticize Smith, it's just the downside of relying on the courts to be the sole form of accountability. Several republican senators said they wouldn't convict in the second impeachment because the courts should handle it. Problem is that violating one's oath of office is not illegal, so the courts can't provide accountability for that, only congresspeople can (and voters, but if they buy what they're being told, that anything that isn't illegal is totally fine then they won't hold him accountable either).
I pray you are correct and a quote from The Right Stuff, the Shepherds prayer, Alan Shepherd that is, a prayer I am sure Mr. Smith is quite familiar with "Please God don't let me "fork" up"
Consequently, all of the evidence and legal arguments Smith puts forward will simply be dismissed by the MAGA minions as false charges promoted by the deep state to destroy Trump.
The majority of Americans remain grounded in reality and committed to the rule of law.
Right now, Trump and his supporters can bellow through the silence as he is the sole newsmaker. Once the trials begin, this dynamic will shift, leaving Smith and his team as the newsmakers. As Trump feels more cornered, he becomes more rabid. He will appear more extreme, deranged and aggressive. His behavior will simply be more alienating and unhinged. At that point, the fever will break and the house of cards will crumble.
Once again, at the behest of corrupt and fearful influencers, the ignorant mob cries out for the release of Barabbas the insurrectionist.
Thank you for the audio version of the indictment. It’s a fascinating listen.
Desantis . . ."Ignorance is bliss"
Heads up here. I have disliked Donald Trump since I first learned about him and he hasn't gotten better with age. If people are still excusing this sad excuse for a man, that is their problem. Our collective problem is to save our democracy from tyrants and oligarchs. If that is not enough to bring people together then perhaps I really don't understand my fellow Americans.
Protected Political Speech.
It's too bad we can't separate the political candidate from the office holder. And I'm tired of hearing that lying in politics is protected speech, and that it's expected.
But in this case the campaign is over, the election results are in, and the Chief Executive, in office, is lying about it. This is not what the authors of the 1st Amendment meant by freedom of speech.
Early in Charlie’s piece it was mentioned that children will read about this in history books. My fear is that they won’t. If Trump or any of his ilk become President , Trump will be pardoned. If Trump himself wins, he’ll declare himself President for Life and, as someone wrote recently, we’ll no longer have a democracy. History books will be rewritten and violence will befall any educator who dares teach the truth. Pessimistic view? Very. But I remember how I cried in 2016. My late husband, my daughter and some friends all said, “Give him a chance. He may turn out the be okay.” If he or someone like him become President, it will be the insidious ending of life as we know it.
Republicans will simultaneously argue that Trump had no idea that his claims were fraudulent, that he was a victim of bad information by crooked lawyers, but also that he’s competent enough to be President of the United States.
Great take on that!
Thank you for the audio version. Absolutely riveting, fact-based and damning (the computer-generated reading is remarkably good as well).The only solutions for MAGA are either 1) Not read/listen to it at all, and/or 2) Deny it all since, by definition, all sources of fact are, by definition deep state conspirators, and/or 3) Hunterrrr and Hillaryyyyy!!!!
DeSantis is a Horse’s Rear End!
I haven’t checked in with my MAGA mother in law for a while. I wonder if she’s still going to vote for him after all this. She believes Trump gave us the best economy and that he’s a Christian. I’m going to ask her if she would support a guy who couldn’t even apply for an apartment.
I see The Wall Street Journal editorial board has kinda, sorta come around. They say Trump behaved badly and should have resigned after January 6, but that Trump shouldn't be prosecuted. I guess that's progress.
Susan Glasser’s statement that the schools will teach this historic moment…not if you live in Florida or any other red state. :(
This life long liberal independent loves the Bulwark, because i believe true Republicans and Democrats love our country more than any party or person. They will defend democracy and freedom from autocracy and tyrants. Thank you for reassuring me.
One thing I don't like in the indictment is the statement that Trump had the right to lie about the election. I realize this is a criminal indictment, and that they are merely pointing out that it isn't illegal to lie, but lying about election results puts the stability and security of the country at risk. Presidents who claim that our elections are corrupt based on zero evidence are not just exercising their first amendment rights, they are violating their oath of office, and candidates who do it should never be allowed the opportunity to take the oath in the first place.
I agree with everything you said about what his lies have done, but they were not illegal. His words just like his incitement of the protesters on Jan 6 is protected political speech under the first amendment. What Smith did was shoot down this argument before his lawyers could make it.
It's too bad we can't separate the political candidate from the office holder. And I'm tired of hearing that lying in politics is protected speech, and that it's expected.
But in this case the campaign is over, the election results are in, and the Chief Executive, in office, is lying about it. This is not what the authors of the 1st Amendment meant by freedom of speech.
True, but Trump apologists lean heavily on the "it wasn't illegal", or "he had the right to do it" defense, as though anything he did that wasn't illegal was therefore okay. I think this is a problem with relying on the courts to do what elected officials should have. Lawyers who were caught lying are losing their licenses to practice, even though they have a first amendment right to lie, because lying violates their professional ethics.
I don't mean to criticize Smith, it's just the downside of relying on the courts to be the sole form of accountability. Several republican senators said they wouldn't convict in the second impeachment because the courts should handle it. Problem is that violating one's oath of office is not illegal, so the courts can't provide accountability for that, only congresspeople can (and voters, but if they buy what they're being told, that anything that isn't illegal is totally fine then they won't hold him accountable either).
In regards to our judicial system;"I believe this will be our finest hour" (quote from Ed Harris; Apollo 13) DY
I pray you are correct and a quote from The Right Stuff, the Shepherds prayer, Alan Shepherd that is, a prayer I am sure Mr. Smith is quite familiar with "Please God don't let me "fork" up"