“The President’s actions here, by virtue of his position as the chief law enforcement officer, could neither constitutionally nor legally constitute obstruction… (Trump can) exercise his power to pardon (himself) if he so desired.” — Rudy Giuliani
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | Will former President Donald Trump finally be brought to justice?
Trump is too shrewd to believe Giuliani’s words. They are just red meat for the blind, hungry, alienated base. The former President’s highly respected original attorneys were cooperating with the Justice Department. Read the Bob Woodward book, to get more detail.
These competent lawyers were pushed out (for obvious reasons). His subsequent lawyers, fronted by a tremendous public relations campaign conducted by self-aggrandizing showman Rudy Giuliani, tried to build a case for our former President being above the law.
Trump’s unconstitutional declaration that he as President could just redirect military funds, appropriated by Congress for other purposes, to build a wall should have come as no surprise.
The then President stubbornly refused to testify before Robert Mueller, the Special Prosecutor, instead having his attorneys submit written answers in his name. According to his advisers, he was just “too busy” (playing golf?). In any case, per them and not the constitution, the rule of law should not apply to a sitting president who can’t be indicted. Of course, he is no longer in that position.
Trump has also totally undercut our free press, a key part of any democracy. According to Trump: “We have a crooked media” and a “Fake media.” Regarding the New York Times, one of the best papers in the world, Trump told Hannity: “They don’t write good.”
Solely due to financial considerations, Fox and other right-wing propaganda media outlets still support Trump. But behind the scenes, they say: “We are very, very close to being able to ignore Trump most nights. I truly can’t wait. I hate him passionately.” (Tucker Carlson of Fox).
I was born in a democratic Republic which was born at great cost in lives and treasure. Our country saved my father and grandparents, French refugees, from virtually certain death by the Nazis. That is the nation that I love and revere.
Imperfect as it is, the United States has been a bright beacon of light for the rest of the world. Unfortunately, we no longer are that shining light on the hill, as surveys of our allies confirm. The docile leadership of my former party, the Republicans, has enabled the rule of law to be subverted by our past President and his politico supporters.
Trump told Jimmy Fallon: “I will apologize in the distant future if I am ever wrong.” Well, it is past time for him to do exactly that and come clean. But, he will never do so. Instead, he will continue to crow to his small base about a “witch hunt.” He’ll never understand, or probably better, cannot comprehend how bad he is.
The ultimate question is: “When will McCarthy, McConnell and the rest of the GOP leadership put their nation above their party, directly state their concerns, and clearly condemn Trump?” Goldwater has gone down in history as a patriot because of his leading role in the Nixon resignation. History will not be as kind to the present leaders of the GOP because of their failure to accept reality.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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