Posted on 08/20/2023 4:36:31 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Trump has been engaged in a several-years-long attempt to undermine the institutions of the US government and it shows no sign of abating
Trump’s attempted coup against the US continues. We are now in phase three.
Phase one was his refusal to concede the loss of the 2020 election and his big lie that the election was “stolen” from him, without any basis in fact.
Trump’s actions in phase one were not illegal, but they were immoral. They violated the norms that every president before Trump had dutifully followed.
Phase two was his plot to overturn the result of the 2020 election.
Phase two was hatched even before election day. On 31 October 2020, Trump’s confidant Steve Bannon told associates that Trump planned to declare that he won and claim Joe Biden’s expected victory fraudulent. Audio footage recently available shows that two days before the election, Trump’s lieutenant Roger Stone was already planning for alternative slates of electors.
Then came Trump’s efforts to strong-arm election officials in swing states to alter votes, persuade the vice-president Mike Pence to reject the certification of electors, get the justice department to find fraud in the election process, come up with slates of fake electors, persuade Republican members of Congress to reject the certification, defame and intimidate poll workers and invite supporters to Washington on the day of the certification – which led inexorably to the violent attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
Phase two was illegal. It violated both statutory laws and the US constitution. Trump is only now starting to be held accountable for these violations, in federal court in Washington and in state court in Georgia.
Phase three is his current attempt to discredit and undermine the criminal justice system that is seeking to hold him accountable for phase...
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
AMEN! Dearest LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, please protect President Trump in this precarious time. Please comfort him and his family as only you can.
The only way to save our nation from the Fascism of Trump will be to suspend the election, lock up all opposition against us, suspend free speech and press.........
So, phase four in the coup to overthrow the democracy is winning the election. Huh?
Trump Rally.....Butler, Pa.....4/23
jonathanturley.org
With the indictment of Donald Trump, there is a palpable sense among many on the left that surely these indictments will bring about the long-desired incarceration of the former president. For some pundits and politicians, it is an anticipation that borders on obsession.
The Georgia indictment is a serious threat for Trump as is the Florida case. However, multiplying the indictments does not necessarily increase the chances of imprisonment before the election, or even during a second Trump term. However, the Georgia case does present a clear context for considering the prospect of prison for Trump.
The sense of anticipation was captured Monday on MSNBC, where Rachel Maddow and Hillary Clinton were shown laughing joyfully on the night of the Georgia indictment. The left is experiencing their own version of chanting “Lock him up,” with a boom business for merchandise celebrating the expected incarceration.
Yet, there is still a great deal of runway between the arraignments and any incarceration.
Let’s quickly review the four cases against Trump. The New York indictment, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, is the weakest. It is based on a thin legal theory pushed by a prosecutor determined to charge Trump for something … anything.
The first federal indictment is the strongest of the four. The charges over the mishandling of classified documents are based on established law and firm evidence.
The second federal indictment is similar to the Georgia case in terms of the underlying acts. Both the Georgia case and the federal indictment surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol are based on the view that Trump and his associates knew that there was no reasonable basis to challenge the 2020 election.
However, Georgia adds state charges that could not only be difficult to challenge before trial but also are not subject to a federal pardon. The 98-page indictment contains 13 counts against Trump. The state charges include mandatory minimum sentences of five years in prison, with no leeway for the sentencing judge. Even five years in prison for a man who is 77 years old (and who never has been previously incarcerated) could be a terminal sentence.
As a threshold matter, a quick resolution of the Georgia case or the others is unlikely. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ demand to try all 19 defendants together in six months is wildly unrealistic.
Given the competing criminal and civil proceedings previously scheduled around the country, the Georgia trial may have to wait until after next year’s election. There are also likely to be motions to remove the entire case to federal court.
Even if it were held in the midst of the election, a conviction would not bar Trump from appearing on the ballot or taking the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2025.
During the pendency of these prosecutions, Trump can continue to run for office. Indeed, even a conviction would not prevent him from running for president or serving if elected.
There is even precedent for running for the presidency from prison. That distinction belongs to socialist Eugene Debs, who was on the ballot in 1920 while he served time in federal prison.
If Trump is convicted, most courts would allow him to remain free pending appeals on the weighty constitutional and evidentiary issues raised by the Georgia case. That process could easily take a couple of years.
snip
A coup by Trump? If only...!
“Robert Reichhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”
Hat tips to you and Rush!
In other words he’s taking out the deep state. 😏
Since he retired, is he a lawn gnome in Chappaqua or a driveway lamp jockey in Martha’s Vineyard?
Good description.
Yes.
I pray for him every day.
Amen
BIDEN CRIME FAMILY IN 7 MINUTES (LINK SAFE) https://connect.xfinity.com/appsuite/api/mail/What%20is%20Money%20Laundering%20Pt.%201.mp4?action=attachment&folder=default0%2FINBOX&id=1312384&attachment=2&user=2&context=4089094&sequence=1&session=33afa1ea7ac84b54b072b192430ad0a9&delivery=view
I just browsed another article, which said Demonicrats keep projecting their political sins upon Republicans. Tucker Carlson was the first one I heard say that. So, we know Reich is using the SOP Demonicrat playbook. Write him off the respectable politician list. That may be miniscule to non-existent, but I didn’t realize how smarmy Reich was.
Sorry, it’s “Reichhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-UH”
Cannot forget the “-UH” with emphasis at the end.
Robert Reich telling somebody else that they are undermining freedom, constitutionality or common respect for anything decent is rich to say the least 🙄🤔 I’m pretty sure his legacy of helping bring the Clinton’s to power did more damage in 5 seconds than Trumps entire 4 years, but don’t let common sense burst your bubble Rob!! 😉
I read the excerpt and that was bad. Thanks for pointing out thar Robert Reich is the author. That explains it all.
Sometimes a few words says it all:
A) Robert Reich
B) The critics who panned The Sound of Freedom, loved Cuties.
Always and Continue Prayers for Our President Trump.
Dopey
What BS!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.