I’ve written many times “we the people” have been “chasing our tails” in what has seemed like a futile attempt to keep up with the CORRUPTION – ie LAW BREAKING – of former president Donald Trump. Of course, the alleged CRIMES committed by Trump go way back prior to him taking (LYING about) the OATH of office, but the COLLUSION with Russia and all the OBSTRUCTION of Justice alleged during the Russia investigation was – for people like me who actually read the Mueller Report – clearly grounds for IMPEACHMENT.
Naturally, Trump couldn’t leave well enough alone – after William Barr obscured the TRUTH which was in Mueller’s report – so, the next day (I believe after Mueller testified to Congress) he decided to attempt a shakedown of Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, in order to force Zelensky to order an investigation of Joe Biden. Let me clarify if you don’t “get it:” Right after feeling he got off the hook for his LAWBREAKING regarding the “Russia thing” where he sought help in the 2016 election he tried to BRIBE Zelensky for help in the 2020 election. If you don’t know this – it’s against the LAW to seek help from any foreign entity in our elections. Full Stop!
I wrote that yesterday and, of course, as I’ve said, “It’s hard to keep up with all of Trump’s CORRUPTION.” So, soon after I saved and left those two paragraphs in order to “capture the thought” I was having at the time, Trump’s “home” at Mar a Lago was SEARCHED by a team of FBI agents who had a warrant to find ?????? Naturally, this caused Trump – who was in New York in order to deal with another of his legal headaches (testifying in the NY AG’s investigation of the Trump Organization) to get his depends “all in a bunch.” Apparently, he STILL believes he’s above the law as if he really is still president.
News Flash: Donald Trump really is NOT the president, he’s simply another “citizen” and he’s no longer protected by the now infamous OLC “memo” which saved his butt during the Russia Investigation from up to 10 instances of OBSTRUCTION of Justice. Naturally, the right wing message boards filled up with THREATS to – well, the FBI ???? or ????? from some of the same wack jobs who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Was there anything in this world which was more predictable?
About three or four years ago I wrote about reading the book “Rising out of Hatred” about the transformation of Derek Black, the son of former KKK Grand Wizard Don Black and the heir apparent of the white nationalist movement which has a portal at Stormfront.com. After reading this book I did a little ‘poking’ around in the places frequented by Mr. Black and Derek’s God Father David Duke – another former Grand Wizard of the Klan. These people were enthusiastic supporters of Trump and considered him their “vehicle” into the mainstream of American politics. Them along with their brethren in the white nationalist movement represent a significant portion of the “patriots” (ie CRIMINALS) who attacked our Nation’s Capitol on 1/6 2021. Mr. Duke famously congratulated Trump after Trump’s infamous “very fine people on both sides” comment following the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville back in 2017 and they have been an important part of the republican base since Trump took over the party.
These people (the ones who marched on Charlottesville chanting “Jews will not replace us” while toting Tiki Torches and wearing Nazi armbands and carrying Nazi/Confederate flags) continue to demonstrate why Hillary Clinton referred to them as “a basket of deplorables” during the 2016 campaign. While those comments have been widely considered a major “gaffe” for Mrs. Clinton back then, I’m constantly reminded how prescient she was. When you consider republicans have always considered themselves the “party of law and order” it has almost become laughable – the only reason I would suggest I’m not laughing is because this all is very serious. Trump and his cowardly sycophants continue their staging of what has been called a “slow motion coup d’etat.”
I bring this up because, despite my declining years and difficulty with my memory, there are certain things/issues that come back “clear as a bell.” So, as I’m thinking about Trump having a search warrant executed on his property (remember, there MUST be probable cause a CRIME has been committed and a JUDGE must sign off on the warrant), all the times I listened to Trump claim he was a “law and order” president are flashing in front of my mind while I listen to him and his COWARDLY republican sycophants complaining about the FBI and the Justice Department. Do you find it ironic republicans like Majorie Taylor Green, Matt Gaetz, Marko Rubio, and others are calling for “defunding the FBI?” Kevin McCarthy, without having ANY idea why the FBI was in Mar a Lago, made a direct threat to Merrick Garland. And, the right wing message boards??? Yikes! For heaven’t sake, what are all these people going to be doing when Trump gets INDICTED for Sedition? (Along with, well, maybe some of these very people spouting off as if they’re “shocked” Trump could EVER be held accountable for his lawlessness)
Speaking of my memory being jogged. I’m pretty sure I remember Trump, back when he was suggesting Hillary Clinton should be jailed for using a personal email server while Secretary of State (just like Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell before her), commenting on his thoughts regarding those who “take the fifth” when in front of law enforcement questioning. I believe he said something along the lines of taking the “fifth” is something you do when you’re guilty of a crime and, as usual, there’s always more – he added that this is something “mobsters” do. Well, apparently, he’s confirming what I’ve been saying for years now – he’s a low level mob boss. I suggest that because, today, he took the “fifth” OVER 440 times in a deposition he was FORCED to give in the NY AG’s office investigation of the Trump Organization. I’m sure Trump will find a way to LIE about this to his base – like, in his case, taking the “fifth” is justified – because, well, because he’s Trump!
Now, there’s a good reason why “we the people” have the privilege of “taking the fifth” – it’s part of our constitutional guarantees – that you can’t be forced to give incriminating evidence against yourself – but, in the case of civil litigation, which was the case today regarding Trump’s 440+ times of taking the “fifth,” if this litigation goes to a trial there can be an “inference” of guilt because there are potentially only financial penalties opposed to criminal ones. What this means is, it appears to me, the Trump Organization could be on very shaky grounds at this point in time. If the reports of various kinds of FRAUD are true regarding Trump’s business the financial penalties could be significant enough to take down the entire business. (Shortly after he was elected I predicted there would come a day when he would “rue” the day he decided to run for president. That day may have finally arrived)
Remember, this is but ONE of MANY instances of legal liability our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president is facing. I suggested well before he was resoundingly defeated at the polls in November of 2020 (by well over 7 MILLION votes) he could be spending the rest of his life, once out of office, defending himself in court. Aside from the NY AG investigation and the FBI searching of his residence (which requires allegations of a CRIME) there is the CRIMINAL investigation happening in Fulton County, Georgia, there’s the January 6th, 2021 investigation (Sedition), There’s still the investigation by the Manhattan DA (which seems to be stalled) and there are NUMEROUS civil lawsuits regarding the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION where those initiating the lawsuits are seeking damages in excess of a BILLION dollars – I believe there’s a couple of those. And, that’s just off the top of my aging head!
The sad part in all of this is the NOISE being created by the most loony of his supporters on right wing websights – which I don’t follow, just hear about – where the threatening of – well – I guess it would be anyone who opposes Trump – is raging in “high gear.” As I questioned above, we don’t even know what prompted this search, but what are these people going to do when Trump is put in handcuffs and taken to a Federal Courthouse while being charged with one of the most egregious crimes on the books, Sedition? People I know who are part of Trump’s CULT didn’t pay any attention to the January 6th Committee’s hearings – despite the FACT almost EVERY witness who testified was a republican and, in MOST cases, someone who actually was working in the “White House” for Trump. In other words, first hand witnesses to “deplorable” CRIMINAL activity.
Some of those squawking the loudest – members of Congress like Marjorie Taylor Green, Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Andy Biggs, Louie Ghomert, Paul Gosar, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and others maybe should be keeping their mouths SHUT because, in my view, Trump is part of a significant CONSPIRACY and based on my understanding of the laws they’ll all be liable for – the same CRIME. You’ll notice – if you’re paying attention – that you’re not hearing a “peep” out of people like. for example, Ginni Thomas. I believe she’s definitely part of the “alleged” CONSPIRACY and figures if she “lays low” maybe no one will notice her role in encouraging the coup d’etat. Oh yes, of course, I forgot to mention Mark Meadows, Peter Navarro, Steve Bannon, Mike Flynn, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis – and, I’m sure others, these are the ones I can pull off the top of my head – and, that’s not mentioning all the FAKE electors who “allegedly” committed FRAUD when signing the FAKE elector document which was sent to Congress.
These are the “leaders” of the republican party I’ve been lamenting about for nearly 20 years now. In fact, I almost can’t believe one of the republicans I actually admire is the daughter of Dick Cheney who, in my view, was laying the foundation for this “lurch” to the “right” back when he was hell bent on sending American troops, needlessly, into Iraq for a quagmire which had way too much resemblance with Viet Nam for me – which I stated at the time. And, the idea that an American president could label someone an “enemy combatant” – at his/her whim – and, hold them indefinitely without charges was anathema to every fiber of my being! To top it off, feeling comfortable authorizing TORTURE was what really set me off. So, I find it awkward, to say the least, that I’ve come to admire Liz Cheney – based only on her belief in the value of telling the TRUTH!
So, whatever the “probable cause” which initiated the FBI SEARCH of Trump’s Mar a Lago home/resort/???, I believe it will “pale” when compared to the impending CHARGES Trump is LIKELY to be facing in the coming months. Can he be charged with TWO federal CRIMES at the same time – I believe the answer to that is a resounding YES! However, I hope the Justice Department is tired of “chasing its tail” and will focus on the most EGREGIOUS of the CRIMES which, to me, is an easy call. SEDITION is at the head of the “class,” when it comes to EGREGIOUS crimes – in my mind, the only way to make this worse is if the charge would be TREASON – which, when you think about it could be the reason for the SEARCH of Trump’s Florida (illegal) residence. The ONLY charge more serious than SEDITION would, of course, be TREASON. I can see where Trump’s actions would constitute “Treason” (Treason: the betrayal of allegiance toward one’s own country, especially by committing hostile acts against it or aiding its enemies in committing such acts) but, I believe SEDITION will be easier to prove in court.
Final Thought: I live in a right wing section of a state considered to be “liberal.” My representative, republican Jaimie Herrera Beutler – who voted to IMPEACH Trump – lost her primary to one of the most disgusting candidates the republicans will put on the General election ballot this November. Sadly, this person, Joe Kent, is likely to “win” because the district I’m in was Gerrymandered a few years ago (2010) to almost guarantee a republican representative each election cycle. Kent is someone who listed Matt Gaetz as the member of Congress he most looks up to, someone who’s aligned with the white nationalist movement, and someone who continues LYING about the results of the 2020 election. (Remember, to these nut jobs, the ONLY election which was “rigged” was the one for president – not their own)
I’ve pointed out I’ve always been an “independent voter” – although in recent years I’ve found myself voting AGAINST republicans. For sure, I’ll be doing that this November, likely to no good. My hope is those republicans who supported Ms Beutler will NOT support Kent. There is little political advertising around these parts save for all the road SIGNS you pass when going into town (I live in a rural setting) so you can pretty much count on republicans voting for republicans, no matter what, and vice versa with democrats. The problem in this instance is there are more republicans than democrats where I live. I’m bracing myself to have to stomach a “marjorie Taylor Green” like candidate coming from my own district. I’m on my knees praying this will not come to pass. Kent is a favorite on Tucker Carlson’s show, Steve Bannon’s “war room,” and the like. Yikes!!!! Stay tuned………………..
I may have been wrong the MANY times I wrote about my frustration waiting for Merrick Garland to give me a “sign” he’s not afraid of the “division” which WILL be caused by INDICTING Trump! I can’t think of anything I’m more excited about being WRONG about! AG Garland has put the “onus” on Trump when it comes to the purpose of the SEARCH which happened earlier this week. Numerous of Trump’s sycophants have been clammoring for the Justice Department to “release the details” of what they seized and why they seized it. Well, what’s the old saying, “Be careful of what you wish for?” Today, AG Garland announced the Justice Department has requested the Florida Court where the search warrant originated to “unseal” the details in the warrant and what was seized – UNLESS Trump objects! The first thought I had when I listened to Garland announcing why the Justice Department was doing this was “check mate.” (How will Trump explain to all his “ditto heads” why he objects to making this all public?)
If you listen carefully to all the republicans explaining why they’re up in arms, you’ll hear them accuse the Justice Department of being like the “Gestapo” – I’ve explained republican “projection” on many occasions here – that’s a great example of it. “If we lose an election it must have been rigged!”
Today, in my email inbox I got a request for MONEY from none other than Josh Hawley – based on the SEARCH of Trump’s property. Of course, I suppose they’re ALL (meaning republican Trump sycophants) attempting to use their “outrage” that our government would SEARCH the home of a former (CRIMINAL) president to raise money. I just found it interesting Hawley somehow got my email address and thought I might fall for his shtick. Again, I would find this all laughable if these people weren’t so dangerous. And, to me, Hawley is right at the top of the list. (Hawley even included a photo of himself raising his fist to the January 6’th INSURRECTIONISTS – right before he was seen desperately RUNNING away from them.
Once again, my apologies for publishing without editing. You’re correct – I’m lazy!