But . . but . . . I was absolutely assured that the DOJ is not investigating Trump.
My position has been: I'll take Merrick Garland at his word because I have no reason not to, and Garland said the DOJ is working its way up and following the facts.
I would have been shocked if they took it. This is a blow to all the Trump allies saying they don't have to comply with the select committee because of executive privilege.
Trump can try again with future tranches of docs -- if he enjoys losing 🤣.
This should matter. Trump came to power on two lies
🔹"I'm a successful businessman" positioning him as a strongman and winner, and
🔹Birtherism, signaling that he was a white supremacist tapping into white grievance.
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Back when I was naive (2015) I thought it would matter if his base had to grapple with the fact that he wasn't successful: He inherited wealth and then cheated and swindled.
Now I'm afraid lie #2 Birtherism matters more and brazen lying and cheating is part of his appeal.
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But under the insurrection act, the military would still have to be willing to keep Trump in power beyond January 20, the date, under the constitution, his presidency ends . . .
People have the idea that indictments of political figures will save democracy.
I've written about what's wrong with that idea. See, for example⤵️ (there is a transcript on my blog).
The idea that there is a magic bullet is also sort of lazy.
I live in a blue town in a blue state (in a sea of pink). The right-wing is very energetically vying for control over the local school board and local government.
Meanwhile, other people have the idea that if Trump gets indicted the right-wing will crumble . . . so they wait.
It also doesn't let these guys off the hook but depending on the circumstances, a defense like this one can mitigate or even eliminate their culpability or lessen their punishment.
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