My wheelhouses are law and politics, and the historic indictment of ex-president Donald Trump presents a nearly fully-overlapping Venn diagram of the two.
Well, post here temporarily, some of the stuff that isn't "Status Kuo ready" is still fodder for good conversation, and could help boost your subscriber base if the FB folks knew you were talking over here during your tenure in "jail."
Well, I just shared a direct link to it on FB. It only goes to a couple of hundred friends so the trolls won't bother and FB algorithms being what they are, only a few more people will see it, but it's a start. Great and very helpful essay.
I wrote a piece a few days ago saying how the indictments could include tax fraud. After all, if Trump was made whole by the Trump Org paying off his debt to Cohen, that’s unreported income for which he owed tax. (And the Trump Org also took a deduction for legal fees to which it was not entitled.) Today, a former DA in the Manhattan office agreed with me, so I feel a bit vindicated! https://lawandcrime.com/trump/what-you-think-you-know-about-trumps-hush-money-indictment-may-be-wrong/
Soooo, maybe a bunch of those charges that no one can total to 34 include this. I'm leaning towards Weissellberg did flip, in part based on the mysterious witness, the swift return by the GJ yesterday . . . we'll know Tuesday.
The more I think about this, the more I think conspiracy is going to be one of the counts. After all, trump the (sub) human probably didn't take fake tax deductions because it wasn't "his" money (though I wouldn't put it past him to double dip). But trump conspiring with the trump org to do so, to cover tracks, is a whole 'nother ball game. And it seems to me that it will be VERY hard for either trump or the org to claim that they didn't know tax fraud was a crime, as Jr. did over the trump tower campaign violations.
That was one of the greatest things I’ve read about the situation. I had no idea how Cohen was repaid. The tax fraud argument makes a lot more sense to me than suddenly getting the guy for Stormy Daniels.
I don't comment but I do read all your posts, and this clear explanation finally convinced me to subscribe. These informative posts are much appreciated, I feel like it helps me a lot to stay informed when the news cycle spins so quickly.
I upgraded to paid today too 🙌! I also rarely comment but am always reading and learning from all the intelligent folk here. I am eternally grateful to Jay for keeping me sane and informed throughout the last few years.
The supposedly critical analysis that goes "if they can do it to Trump, they can do it to anyone," is farcical. The fact is "they" CAN do it to anyone. You, me, Trump ... ANYONE. And they do. Every day. If they didn't then I'd be out of work. Lots of people make a living as criminal defense attorneys.
The operative word is the dog-whistle "they." Republicans believe "they" is anyone who opposes Republicans, who see themselves as the guardians of "law and order" (as they alone define it), but above any law that jeopardizes their power.
Of course, in a *trump government, this would not be end. of. subject. at all. As with so many aspects of life, when MAGAs express their fears about our government and legal system, they are telegraphing exactly what ordinary, honest people would rightly have to fear about them.
Well, yes, in terms of these scofflaws that is true. However, I think you have to agree that most of us, well perhaps excepting speed limits, tend to follow what the law says because we'd rather not face the consequences. We don't shoplift, we don't write bad checks -- in general we do what is best for us in a functioning society so we can enjoy our lives, families, and friends.
The problem with this crowd is that they are willfully and enthusiastically following an example of someone who has never faced consequences, and who now feels he is exempt from the same rules as the rest of us. That they also toss around pseudo-Christian doctrine into the mix is also abhorrent. The result? The "law doesn't apply to us."
Transference aside, when schools stopped teaching civics and government, they pandered to this tendency. That is a problem.
I used it specifically here. I don't disagree with the Christofascism part, largely evangelicals (led by BoBo and Marge), but there are a whole lot of other people who, in the name of Christianity, cherry pick what they say. Much of the rhetoric in this regard are second amendment comments. Thank you Mrs. Betty Bowers for pointing it out ;-)
I, for one, am appalled at the digs against Soros. This shiksa was married to a Jewish man. A very close college friend had the emergency vehicles in her drive way during the Tree of Life event, and her husband was one of the ER doctors who treated them. So, yeah, for me, it is disgusting. I feel for Jay every time he mentions anti-Asian hate that he encounters.
For them to drag Soros into this is just disgusting.
It is almost inevitable that there will be terroristic right-wing violence in response to this and (hopefully) further indictments of Trump. One hopes it will be minimal and that federal, state and local law enforcement is both prepared and responds rapidly and appropriately. And that the dog whistles and resulting violence on the part of the fascist minority result in further erosion of the support they still enjoy from far too many US citizens.
I believe that the Republicans and their minions are doing what they've always done. They are working the "information asymmetry" angle to manufacture a spin-doctored narrative and get that as widely disseminated as possible before any facts can emerge from the grand jury to contradict it. It has worked for them almost every time. The results from the Mueller investigation are the most tangible example, as you have pointed out in the past.
If Trump does go to prison or is otherwise disqualified/prevented from running in 2024, do you believe the Republican Party can even slightly change course?
I would welcome a shift from the more radical fringes, but worry it might just be a foot race to see who can be the most “Trumpy.” Alienating and dividing MAGA votes from the herd would probably be disastrous for them in 2024. Pushing out more moderate republicans by backing a (potentially) convicted felon could also be bad for business.
I suggest reading Thom Hartmann's Substack, The Hartmann Report, for March 31. R's will likely just look for another figurehead to continue their headlong race into fascism. The parallels between what we're seeing now and the occurrences of the late 1920's and early 1930's are becoming ever more obvious.
Thank you for the breakdown. As always it helps to maintain my sanity through all this. Right now I can't even go onto FB because so many are now calling for Biden to be indicted over a "laundry list of crimes"- which I have not yet read what people say they are (because I hate ignorance and stupidity). It will be prudent in these times to remain calm and not listen to the other side- I tell myself daily now. I'm sure the circus will get worse before I gets better
Linda, Soros gives a great deal of his money to groups that support voting rights. That’s all I needed to know about him to understand why Repubs try to take him down.
I subscribed today…your substack blog has really impressed me with your knowledge of both politics and the law… it’s given me much better incite than any of the news media outlets. Please keep your blog running. I’ve shared it with many of my friends and family now. Hopefully it will grow with time.. ..
Plus your strong activism for the LGBTQIA+ is admirable and hits close to home as my nephew is gay. Luckily he has strong support and love from all of our family as unfortunately others do not.
Oh and please include more pics of Hudson and stories of Ma….always makes me smile and lightens the chaos around us a bit. We are major corgi lovers in this family.
The MAGA trolls must have reported my page again because I’m in FB jail again. Yay, how fun…
Argh! I'm liking this post ONLY because that's the mechanism on Substack to move it to the top so more others will se it.
Same!
That's how you know you're making a difference. (Worth it imho). Thx Jay!
What could they have possibly reported? How frustrating!
Well, post here temporarily, some of the stuff that isn't "Status Kuo ready" is still fodder for good conversation, and could help boost your subscriber base if the FB folks knew you were talking over here during your tenure in "jail."
Well, I just shared a direct link to it on FB. It only goes to a couple of hundred friends so the trolls won't bother and FB algorithms being what they are, only a few more people will see it, but it's a start. Great and very helpful essay.
Been there, and been there, and been there, and...
Ludicrous. But take the time out to give yourself the break you keep saying you are going to have 😏
I wrote a piece a few days ago saying how the indictments could include tax fraud. After all, if Trump was made whole by the Trump Org paying off his debt to Cohen, that’s unreported income for which he owed tax. (And the Trump Org also took a deduction for legal fees to which it was not entitled.) Today, a former DA in the Manhattan office agreed with me, so I feel a bit vindicated! https://lawandcrime.com/trump/what-you-think-you-know-about-trumps-hush-money-indictment-may-be-wrong/
Soooo, maybe a bunch of those charges that no one can total to 34 include this. I'm leaning towards Weissellberg did flip, in part based on the mysterious witness, the swift return by the GJ yesterday . . . we'll know Tuesday.
I feel the same
I hope you are correct!
The more I think about this, the more I think conspiracy is going to be one of the counts. After all, trump the (sub) human probably didn't take fake tax deductions because it wasn't "his" money (though I wouldn't put it past him to double dip). But trump conspiring with the trump org to do so, to cover tracks, is a whole 'nother ball game. And it seems to me that it will be VERY hard for either trump or the org to claim that they didn't know tax fraud was a crime, as Jr. did over the trump tower campaign violations.
You can guarantee some Trump entity wrote this off as some kind of deductible expense. That was the whole point of disguising it as legal fees.
That was one of the greatest things I’ve read about the situation. I had no idea how Cohen was repaid. The tax fraud argument makes a lot more sense to me than suddenly getting the guy for Stormy Daniels.
I don't comment but I do read all your posts, and this clear explanation finally convinced me to subscribe. These informative posts are much appreciated, I feel like it helps me a lot to stay informed when the news cycle spins so quickly.
Thanks for all you do.
I upgraded to paid today too 🙌! I also rarely comment but am always reading and learning from all the intelligent folk here. I am eternally grateful to Jay for keeping me sane and informed throughout the last few years.
We are actually a fairly nice bunch here, please feel free to join in.
I'll try to toss in a few cents worth now and then, I'm just so so bad at networking and the like. But the commenters here seem pretty cool.
The supposedly critical analysis that goes "if they can do it to Trump, they can do it to anyone," is farcical. The fact is "they" CAN do it to anyone. You, me, Trump ... ANYONE. And they do. Every day. If they didn't then I'd be out of work. Lots of people make a living as criminal defense attorneys.
No one is above the law.
The operative word is the dog-whistle "they." Republicans believe "they" is anyone who opposes Republicans, who see themselves as the guardians of "law and order" (as they alone define it), but above any law that jeopardizes their power.
Simple premise:: IF they can do it to you (and they can) the solution is not to break the law. End. of. Subject.
Of course, in a *trump government, this would not be end. of. subject. at all. As with so many aspects of life, when MAGAs express their fears about our government and legal system, they are telegraphing exactly what ordinary, honest people would rightly have to fear about them.
Well, yes, in terms of these scofflaws that is true. However, I think you have to agree that most of us, well perhaps excepting speed limits, tend to follow what the law says because we'd rather not face the consequences. We don't shoplift, we don't write bad checks -- in general we do what is best for us in a functioning society so we can enjoy our lives, families, and friends.
The problem with this crowd is that they are willfully and enthusiastically following an example of someone who has never faced consequences, and who now feels he is exempt from the same rules as the rest of us. That they also toss around pseudo-Christian doctrine into the mix is also abhorrent. The result? The "law doesn't apply to us."
Transference aside, when schools stopped teaching civics and government, they pandered to this tendency. That is a problem.
Christina, your word "pseudo-Christian" has been replaced in MY vocabulary with "Christofascism". For what it's worth.
I used it specifically here. I don't disagree with the Christofascism part, largely evangelicals (led by BoBo and Marge), but there are a whole lot of other people who, in the name of Christianity, cherry pick what they say. Much of the rhetoric in this regard are second amendment comments. Thank you Mrs. Betty Bowers for pointing it out ;-)
Certainly true.
Agreed. Great commentary with facts I hadn’t heard before explaining the Soros connection (or lack of it)
I, for one, am appalled at the digs against Soros. This shiksa was married to a Jewish man. A very close college friend had the emergency vehicles in her drive way during the Tree of Life event, and her husband was one of the ER doctors who treated them. So, yeah, for me, it is disgusting. I feel for Jay every time he mentions anti-Asian hate that he encounters.
For them to drag Soros into this is just disgusting.
Yes I appreciated that as well because I didn't understand it.
It is almost inevitable that there will be terroristic right-wing violence in response to this and (hopefully) further indictments of Trump. One hopes it will be minimal and that federal, state and local law enforcement is both prepared and responds rapidly and appropriately. And that the dog whistles and resulting violence on the part of the fascist minority result in further erosion of the support they still enjoy from far too many US citizens.
I’m not convinced there will be violence for sure. We’ll have to monitor and remain vigilant…
Yes, there wasn't anyone protesting yesterday per MSNBC.
I'm with you, despite Marge's call to arms. Every single day another 1/6er goes to prison. There may be isolated pockets, but nothing impressive.
Excellent breakdown. Thank you. Have a great weekend, get some rest when you can, and hydrate.
Thank you, again.
I believe that the Republicans and their minions are doing what they've always done. They are working the "information asymmetry" angle to manufacture a spin-doctored narrative and get that as widely disseminated as possible before any facts can emerge from the grand jury to contradict it. It has worked for them almost every time. The results from the Mueller investigation are the most tangible example, as you have pointed out in the past.
If Trump does go to prison or is otherwise disqualified/prevented from running in 2024, do you believe the Republican Party can even slightly change course?
I would welcome a shift from the more radical fringes, but worry it might just be a foot race to see who can be the most “Trumpy.” Alienating and dividing MAGA votes from the herd would probably be disastrous for them in 2024. Pushing out more moderate republicans by backing a (potentially) convicted felon could also be bad for business.
Tough spot, you just hate to see it lol
That’s a huge question. How long will they cling to the remains of a sinking vessel?
HAH! Even rats know when to leave, so where does that leave the Republican Party?
Rick Perry ran while under indictment for President. It certainly won't keep tfg from running.
Would Trump still campaign for President if convicted? Probably so. And the GQP would have no problem with it. Not one bit.
I suggest reading Thom Hartmann's Substack, The Hartmann Report, for March 31. R's will likely just look for another figurehead to continue their headlong race into fascism. The parallels between what we're seeing now and the occurrences of the late 1920's and early 1930's are becoming ever more obvious.
Thank you for the breakdown. As always it helps to maintain my sanity through all this. Right now I can't even go onto FB because so many are now calling for Biden to be indicted over a "laundry list of crimes"- which I have not yet read what people say they are (because I hate ignorance and stupidity). It will be prudent in these times to remain calm and not listen to the other side- I tell myself daily now. I'm sure the circus will get worse before I gets better
Clear and concise recap of what is happening. Thanks for including the Soros information which is new to me.
Thank you for talking about Soros because I never understood why his name was being bandied about. If there is more about him I would like to hear it.
Linda, Soros gives a great deal of his money to groups that support voting rights. That’s all I needed to know about him to understand why Repubs try to take him down.
Thank you for the analysis as always!
Thanks for the clear explanations 👍🏻
Best recap yet. Thank you.
I subscribed today…your substack blog has really impressed me with your knowledge of both politics and the law… it’s given me much better incite than any of the news media outlets. Please keep your blog running. I’ve shared it with many of my friends and family now. Hopefully it will grow with time.. ..
Plus your strong activism for the LGBTQIA+ is admirable and hits close to home as my nephew is gay. Luckily he has strong support and love from all of our family as unfortunately others do not.
Oh and please include more pics of Hudson and stories of Ma….always makes me smile and lightens the chaos around us a bit. We are major corgi lovers in this family.