Democracy 2024: # 13

It has been a very news-filled week.

An American reporter arrested in Russia. A horrible accident in Kentucky killed nine Army pilots. Serious storms wreak damage across parts of the country. Civil unrest over political matters continue to unfold in France and Israel. The Final Four of NCAA Basketball for men and women are taking place this weekend in Texas. A new Major League Baseball season has begun. Gwyneth Paltrow was the victor in a Utah civil suit over a skiing dispute and is awarded one dollar.

There was also another school shooting, this time at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee. Three nine year olds and three adults tragically paid with their lives. This time at least, we can be grateful that the loss of life was not greater because two police officers did their job heroically and quickly eliminated the murderer unlike the cowardice and incompetence previously exhibited in places like Uvalde, Texas. Needless to say, every mass shooting event ramps up the usual takes on the gun control debate and people on both sides run to their uncompromising corners. An added twist to this event though, is that the shooter identified as a trans male. As a girl, she reportedly attended the school and might have had a particular animus against it. The issue of "trans rights" has been very much a part of our cultural wars over the past couple of years and of course it seems pretty unfair to paint the trans community with the stain of this particular killer. Still, all aspects of her motivation deserve to be looked into, especially if she were somehow motivated to act out against Christians.

The biggest story of the week however was clear when the news emerged late on the day Thursday. It came as a surprise to many, especially down at Mar-a-Lago apparently. We had heard that the New York City Grand Jury would be taking a break for about a month and perhaps there were serious issues or delays in a potential indictment. The subject of the investigation even took to social media to say this delay had renewed his faith in the grand jury system.

That would be short-lived though. Donald J. Trump has become the first President of the United States to be charged with a crime. On Tuesday, in what will unquestionably be a media circus, he will appear in a Manhattan courthouse and presumably plead "not guilty." He may even say that he is "the most perfect person to ever live" or something like that. Unlike a previous arraignment of Michael Jackson, I think he is unlikely to dance on top of a car with an umbrella, but nothing can be ruled out.

Over the past two, or maybe three weeks, I have given my thoughts on this case and why it is perilous both legally and politically for those who want to see the karmic justice of Trump being locked up. I will say once again that we need to wait to see what the actual charges are. Reports are that there will be 30 or so counts related to business fraud and that perhaps little of it may actually have to do with the Stormy Daniels ordeal. This means it is possible that there will be significant charges related to matters that people have not even considered. However, I doubt that anything will be as substantial in regards to what Trump might have done compared to illegally having or trying to hide the fact that he had classified documents in his possession or that he tried to use political influence to steal an election in Georgia or that he willfully tried to incite an Insurrection.

It must be remembered that all defendants, including Mr. Trump are considered "innocent until proven guilty." While he has never held to that standard for others, it does not mean that is should not be applied to him. Political partisans on all sides need to take a bit of a breath. This certainly includes Trump himself who continues to melt down on Truth Social, attacking those who are charging him, as well as the Judge who will preside over the case.

It could be that Trump (and other parties) are slapped with a gag order which would make it legally impossible (if he does not want to go to jail) to talk about this case. Many would love to see that and there is probably merit to that in terms of the safety of all who may be involved in a trial. However, it also has to be remembered that the defendant is a candidate for President of the United States and may have a legitimate interest in defending himself before the electorate while this case likely takes months to resolve itself in the courts. However, for Trump's core supporters, as noted, he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose their votes.

The drama will continue next week and beyond. I will be interested to see what happens on Tuesday, but also will be paying close attention to Chicago's Mayoral runoff. The White House is likely to remain silent about Trump's non-federal legal trouble. Other announced and  potential Republican candidates from Haley to Pence to DeSantis to Scott of course have to attack Alvin Bragg just to not anger the MAGA base, while secretly hoping of course that all this works to bring Trump down. Asa Hutchinson has taking a bit of a different tact in saying Trump should now exit the race while also calling for patience while all information is revealed on the matter. In his statement, Hutchinson was referred to as an official in George W. Bush's Administration. That really makes it sound like the former Arkansas Governor is actively trying to appeal to people just like me, and whatever corner we still may occupy in today's Republican Party.

In regards to the legal matters in Manhattan, as well as anything else Trump may have to face elsewhere in America, my only hope is that justice be done, whatever it is.