Trump-- The Worst Thing To Happen To America Since The 1860s

"Indicted" by Nancy Ohanian

In a USA vs Donald J. Trump filing yesterday, Jack Smith wrote that “The Government proposes that trial begin on January 2, 2024, and estimates that its case in chief will take no longer than four to six weeks… [A] January 2 trial date would vindicate the public’s strong interest in a speedy trial— an interest guaranteed by the Constitution and federal law in all cases, but of particular significance here, where the defendant, a former president, is charged with conspiring to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election, obstruct the certification of the election results, and discount citizens’ legitimate votes.”

So jury selection would begin December 11. Trump has until next Thursday to respond and Judge Chutkan has said she will announce the trial dates on August 28. Trump’s response to Smith’s filing:

There’s some talk— stoked by GOP presidential candidates’ campaign’s that Trump might plead guilty to some relatively minor charges in return for no jail time, perhaps just confinement at Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster. I guess that would solve everything-- but only if he agrees to wear a muzzle for the rest of his miserable life.

Aside from Putin's glee, ever wonder how people in other countries look at the Trump mess? As Peter Van Galen, a Dutch member of the European Parliament, noted yesterday, Trump is a serious threat to the union of American states. Comparing Señor Trumpanzee to Abraham Lincoln, Van Galen wrote that “Trump is focused on his own glory, on his own interests— not the nation’s. He hurls grapes of wrath around the country. And his real menace was finally brought home in the report by the Bipartisan Congressional Inquiry Committee on the January 6 insurrection, when the U.S. Congress was besieged and Trump’s ‘stolen election’ conspiracy morphed into a de facto coup attempt, with criminal intent to overturn the votes in seven states. Thus, it’s a relief that arch conspirator Trump is now being brought to court by Special Council Jack Smith— but it’s hardly misplaced to still harbor fears.”

He added a little history: “Trump seems a dark throwback to the 19th century, when the American civil war erupted because men like John C. Calhoun, Nathan B. Forrest and Jefferson Davis wanted their truth to be victorious. The result: a bloody secession. Trump now similarly wants his truth to be victorious. And while that hopefully doesn’t mean an actual civil war, the U.S. is in the middle of a disorienting cultural civil war. In states and cities, and within families, there is extreme divisiveness; people are either for or against Trump. One can see the clear and present danger playing out on social media, and is left wondering where it will end. It’s also becoming increasingly difficult not to conclude that Trump is a serious threat to the preservation of the union of American states.”

Trump clearly is not taking part in the GOP debate in 2 weeks— unless he changes his mind. If he doesn’t though, Zach Basu suggested 5 excellent questions the Fox hosts, most of which they will never think of asking the Trump opponents.

1. Should Trump step aside if he's convicted?

• Nearly half of Republicans say they would not vote for Trump in the general election if he were "convicted of a felony crime by a jury," according to a recent Reuters poll.

2. Would you sign a federal 15-week abortion ban if passed by Congress?

• GOP candidates are under immense pressure from two competing flanks: influential antiabortion activists pushing federal restrictions and a 64% majority of U.S. adults who believe the Supreme Court was wrong to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a new CNN poll.

3. Should the House impeach Biden?

• House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is expected to open an impeachment inquiry this fall into Biden's alleged ties to Hunter Biden's business dealings, despite no definitive evidence of the president's wrongdoing.

4. Should the U.S. force Ukraine to give up territory to reach a peace settlement with Russia?

• U.S. support for Ukraine has become perhaps the most divisive issue in today's Republican Party. The Biden administration is expected to unveil a new request for billions in emergency Ukraine funding Thursday, setting up a huge showdown in Congress.

5. Should the U.S. use lethal force at the border?

• Ideas considered inhumane or impractical during the Trump administration have become mainstream GOP positions, including bombing cartels in Mexico and using deadly force against suspected drug traffickers and migrants breaking through border barriers.