The Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914—1953) wrote his immortal lines long before Donald Trump became president of the United States, but they apply to our times nonetheless:
Thank you, Professor. I love people that stick to their guns and their convictions and the rule of law. I want to stay positive in my words all the time this man needs to be brought to justice. In front of the whole world so that people understand that America doesn’t put up trying to usurp the law. And there is a code of ethics and a judge has to listen to the argument and take it into account based off the rule of law. I hope he does. I did not say this an anchor or hatred. But they’re just has to be justice. I don’t care who it is. Thank you peace and love always.
Excuse, me say this in anger…and their. I apologize I am a painter and artist and at the end of the day my shoulders are pretty trashed at my age and so I use the voice and I am usually pretty tired and don’t pay attention to typos and my punctuation so I apologize for that. I will try better next time have a great night. We have our work cut out for us to maintain our sanity and to go forthwith our convictions to stick to our guns. To keep America the land of the free for everybody.
As you went to sleep, our dear friend and co-fighter in justice seeking, I am reading it while seeping coffee in other side of the planet. I am grateful for your inspirational comment and proud to be a part of the community where you and I and so many of us belong. Thank you.
No doubt Alvin Bragg shrugged off death threats and proceeded based upon the law, plain and simple. A mighty three cheers for the DA for holding tRump to the dictum that "No man is above the Law"...so say all of us!
The opposite of justice is poverty. Anyone who is forced to rely on a public defender is often times considered guilty until proven innocent.
If you are a white man and live in a state where abortions are denied and you rape a woman the chance of you being prosecuted are less than 5%. Is that justice?
When you have two Supreme Court justices who are sexual predators and many politicians as well, including the President elect, there is no justice for sex crimes.
It is maddening to see the press spend countless hours speculating on the whereabouts of a "person of interest" when hundreds of women are raped or sexually abused across the US, some even killed.
I’m an art dealer. Welcome to the business, lol. Hey, if Trump needs to appear, I will take my press credentials and stand in line for this one, too. I was there when Stormy — bless her heart, testified. I’ll take the early Metro North out of New Haven and be in line by 6 AM and dress in layers.
No anger, no hatred, no fear, no despair -- Thich Nhat Hanh calls these poisons that we have mistakenly created in our environment that will not heal us or lead to understanding. Rule of law is perfect for that!
On what grounds would the charges be dropped? I do not think Judge Merchan is considering that issue in particular, only whether sentencing is proper before or after (retch) inauguration.
I’m pretty sure he can’t vacate the verdict but I’m no lawyer either. Judge Merchan was very careful during trial because he didn’t want to be overturned on appeal. I really hope he goes ahead and pronounces sentence on the date expected. Why put it off? Someone somewhere has got to be standing up to these bullies with money.
They are. UHC's CEO was just murdered by someone who was "standing up to these bullies", and now, all the big bosses are scrambling to beef up their security. Sad state for our country to be in, but when "justice" depends on how much money one has, there's eventually going to be a few vigilantes seeking their own resolutions.
I do not believe he will drop any of those charges. trump was found guilty in his criminal court & J.Merchan will follow it thru..If anything he will push it into a category of wait for Presidency to be fulfilled & BAM!..Unless trump dies he will get hit with the reality of his crimes!
I understand heart to include : love this!, right on, yes 🙌 ok, I get it, I hear you …. AND I agree, I can’t stand this either !!! yes 🙌 it’s pitiful ! A huge loss. Insurmountable… 😞
HE WAS FOUND GUILTY ON ALL 34 COUNTS & THE ENTIRE WORLD HEARD IT-SAW IT & READ IT!!..INCLUDING EXPOSING OF ADULTEROUS AFFAIRS - ONE THAT PRODUCED A BABY & THEN A DIVORCE- A RAPE CHARGE ETC ETC ETC!..trump LOVES THE SPOT LIGHT & LIFE ALL ABOUT HIM..WELL HE GOT IT & IT WILL FOREVER BE IN HIS BIO NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES TO WASH IT AWAY..SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IN THIS WORLD WILL KNOW & WILL MAKE SURE IT FOLLOWS HIM & BEYOND!!
The law in New York only considers someone to be a "convicted felon" after they've been sentenced. Before sentencing, they are referred to as someone who has "been found guilty of" 34 felonies. Subtle, but there's a difference. Hopefully he'll be a "convicted felon" soon!
Katie, I wondered if this type of explanation was out there in the legal world. I’m not convinced these days that the law serves up much justice. I’ll have to cross my fingers and hope Judge Merchan doesn’t wrap this in legalese that once again offers no justice for the people or democracy.
He WILL forever be a once President that was convicted of 34 counts..& tho he may think that he beat us & the justice system - he still has to face his final judgment & no white wash of justice by any Supreme Court Justices will help him out of that one!
And don’t forget, Chump is the only president to be impeached twice in one term. But perhaps when we take back the House and Senate in 2026, we can increase it to three
Or we can remove him with a simple majority vote in each house, through disqualification from holding office pursuant to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits any person from holding office who, having previously taken an oath to support the Constitution, has engaged in insurrection against the United States. It is not too late to apply this provision to President-elect Trump, thereby barring him from assuming the Presidency.
The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that former President Trump’s name should not appear on the state’s presidential primary ballot because the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, constituted an “insurrection” that Trump “engaged in” through his personal actions.
The US Supreme Court reversed the Colorado Supreme Court solely on the basis that the Fourteenth Amendment grants Congress -- not states -- the authority to provide for the enforcement of Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates. Notably, it did not address the Colorado court’s finding that Trump had engaged in an insurrection on January 6, 2021.
The Supreme Court also was silent on the timing of Congress’s enforcement of Section 3. Specifically, it did not prohibit Congress from enforcing Section 3 after a President had been elected or had assumed office, nor did it require Congress to act within a specified time after the current or prospective officeholder had engaged in insurrection.
This ruling means that the current Congress has the authority to determine that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. To do so would simply require the adoption of a joint resolution by the House and Senate.
In the House, passage of the joint resolution would require a simple majority vote. In the Senate, the joint resolution could also be passed by majority vote, through the use of a so-called “mini-nuclear option" (suspension of the filibuster) as it relates to determining disqualification from holding office pursuant to Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Note that disqualification through the Section 3 process requires fewer votes in the Senate than removal via impeachment, which requires the votes of two-thirds of the Senators present.
The enactment of this Joint Resolution would permanently bar Trump from holding any federal office. (The disqualification could only be removed by a vote of two-thirds of both the House and the Senate.)
Ray, I like your premise, but the likelyhood of it happening with this cowardly Congress is zero. Plus then JD Vance would become President and I think he would be even worse.
The same Section 3 could be the basis for disqualifying Vance, for example, he repeated the lies about the 2020 election that prompted the insurrection. FBI vetting of Cabinet nominees should also be very careful to screen for insurrectionists and those who give aid or comfort to our enemies.
Rex, forgive me for contradicting you, but no one could outdoor the malice of DJT in and outside of the office of president. He, along with his father and a host of family members, tag along/go along friends, congressional leaders and corrupt and corrupting people have left a trail of ill-will and personal losses as the enriched themselves.
Well reasoned comment, Ray. I haven't seen any movement towards making this happen. Petitioning our Congress would be a good start. Is anyone aware of pressure being put on our senators and reps to get this going?
I don't feel any pressure on congress will be effective until after trump et al have done their damage to social security, medicare,tried to arrest Liz Cheney, etc.
The fact that he was elected, even by such a slim majority of the popular vote, should not deter the House from taking up the (dis)qualification issue. Congress has specific authorization to act, per Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Obviously a political hot potato, but does anyone know what rumblings may be starting already, as his voters are finding out what he really has in store for them?
I will forever say it because it is factually true. Nothing changes that. In fact my recently published Letter to the Editor referred to the “convicted felon elect.” I never used his name.
I refer to him that way as well. After Jan 20, it will be "The Felon in Chief". I never use his name because he took the job as POTUS merely to promote his brand.
He could be, but it would require a majority vote of both the House and Senate. (See my comment above.)
In the House, passage of the joint resolution would require a simple majority vote. (This would require the votes of all 213 Democrats plus the defection of at least 4 Republicans.)
In the Senate, the joint resolution could also be passed by majority vote, through the use of a so-called “mini-nuclear option" (suspension of the filibuster) as it relates to determining disqualification from holding office pursuant to Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. (This would require the votes of all 47 Democrats plus at least three Independents and/or Republicans and potentially a tie-breaking vote by the President of the Senate, Kamala Harris.)
I'll leave it for you to decide whether there are at least four patriotic Republicans in the House who would be willing to put country before party and defy Trump.
Be careful what you wish for. If he's voted out, we get JD Vance instead...and he gets to choose his VP - just like Gerald Ford after Agnew was convicted and Nixon resigned rather than get impeached and convicted.
Listen to Rachel Maddow's "Bag Man". About the effort of DOJ to convict Agnew. Agnew had to resign from the Vice President office first. The thought of a criminal enterprise that Agnew was running out of the White House was abhorrent to the DOJ. [He was still selling his influence in Maryland.] DOJ did not know if Nixon would resign or be impeached or not. But they wanted Agnew out.
Even Pearls Before Swine (comic) questioned why a felon can be elected President but a felon cannot vote in the election. I would chalk that up to oversight, the Founders did not consider that a felon might run for President. They took for granted that a felon would have a sense of shame that stop them from running, and they probably believed that no felon would be elected to the Presidency. How far we have fallen.
Voting as a felon is a state issue. In Florida you cannot vote if the felony was committed in Florida. If not, you can. Other states allow you to vote as a felon.
The more important issue is running for President as a felon. There needs to be an addition to the qualifications for president: felons cannot be president.
The 14th amendment prohibits running for public office if involved in an insurrection. But the Supreme Court reversed Colorado’s Supreme Court ruling to remove Trump from the primary citing only Congress can enforce the insurrection clause.
This needs to be changed as well. As a result, with a House Republican majority, we have a slew of insurrectionists in office.
That’s amazing Joyce. I’m thrilled, for this brief moment in time, that there are strong voices standing up for the rule of law. Especially since we’re coming to a time when lawlessness will rule our nation. Thank you always. This is a winning good night story.
Sentencing Trump is the ONLY way the US can claim that no one is above the law. No. One. I hope Merchan sentences him to “house arrest.” Trump thinks the WH is a dump. Make him stay there or wear one of those leg alarms.
Even if trump erases history the whole world watched him get convicted of 34 counts & much more these last few years - including rape!!..So trump might feel vindicated by erasing his history of criminal guilt but he can only try it here in America..somewhere out there in r big beautiful world it is still written & known!
The whole world watched him watching the Jan 6th insurrection for hours without lifting a finger to do anything. I’m still in disbelief that 50% of the country wanted this guy back in. I don’t want to use the word blame however there are so many things that the Democrats (all Democrats including Biden) could have done differently.
Thank heavens for Alvin Bragg and his tenacity for the rule of law and Constitution. I am deeply disturbed that this felonious nutjob has gotten away with so much more.
Yep people around the world have learned to got to the streets in protest & demand true justice & even governments that use to be against the people now serve the people & without hesitation act swiftly against any wrong doing & interference into their laws & elections..& to think America had it all first & now we just sit around & talk it all to death until we r tired of it & it disappears..We only punish the poor man not the money man..yep justices was easily bought here in America..
I wouldn't be so sure. I doubt he will get 10 years or anything like that, but I expect he will get a jail sentence of maybe 6 months to a year. He did some pretty egregious things and was convicted of all of them. Merchan may instead issue a house arrest jail sentence, using an ankle bracelet. Not that being "locked up" in Mar-a-lago is anything like Rikers Island, but still, loss of freedom is still loss of freedom. Also remember he has a bunch of contempt citations which Merchan was REALLY pissed about when Trump kept ignoring his orders.
I wouldn't assume he will let Trump off scott free, but no, it won't be some long prison term (unfortunately).
And that's r 1st & biggest mistake - ignoring the Laws r Founding Fathers layed out for us to follow & jeopardizing all r freedoms..Tough lesson approaching!🙋♀️
A bold - and brave - move by Alvin Bragg. Trump will appeal, of course; then appeals court, then SCOTUS who scorns, it seems, accountability … at least where ethics are involved.
The people who have been dealing with Trump's criminality from long before the current events have no illusions about who they are dealing with, and a clear idea about how to deal with him. A relief!
So many other people have rolled over for Trump that it's astonishing when an official who could, doesn't. Courage, all. Let's be sure to support everyone who stands up for the rule of law. Postcards, phone calls, social media. Let's cheer them on so they know they are not alone.
Bragg never rolled over. He was threatened by Trump’s (Putin’s) thugs as was his family. I feel he thought long and hard about standing by his convictions of serving justice to the American people, at least New Yorkers. He did and I admire him greatly for it. Merchan and his daughter were threatened also. I hope that he too, grants Bragg’s request.
These points also highlight that Trump is “a danger to society “, which is standard practice to consider during sentencing. It seems to have been ignored until now, but perhaps Merchan will take it under consideration.
Damn right! A lot of us don’t care, while we care to see justice all the same. The future president is and will always be the most disgusting and reprehensible leader this country has ever seen in my 81 years.
And to think that ur fellow American voted him back in & gave him power over u & also themselves - they just don't know it yet..but they will & then see how quickly they stop dancing & finally realize they sold their freedoms for a so called better economy & cheaper gas..lolol..I guess they didn't realize that the economy & gas have always & will continue to go up & down like a roller coaster!!..lolol..🤦🏻♀️🙈
Lots of people in the court systems I’m familiar with say it was a very thin case, but thin or not, Mr. Bragg got 34 felony convictions out of it. And that’s not a small victory.
It may be "thin" from the perspective of other jurisdictions, but falsifying business records is hardly so in Manhattan, as still the financial center of the US. And has been pointed out here, it is not only regularly prosecuted in NY under state law, but with federal predicate crimes as well.
Yes, creating false business records can and should be prosecuted. Thin in terms of media coverage perhaps, but solid when measured in increments of integrity and justice.
Also, these kinds of cases may be tried more often in the future because of this one- especially the election interference portion. That alone SHOULD prevent the guilty party from ever running for office. He is still a non-president, and the DOJ memo that prevents indictment can be challenged. Maybe sentence him to prison, then let the government figure out what happens next???
Fabulous! Thanks for writing up this good news now. There seem to be so many ways that Trump skirts the law. Alvin Bragg deserves so much credit for what he is doing.
Thank you, Professor. I love people that stick to their guns and their convictions and the rule of law. I want to stay positive in my words all the time this man needs to be brought to justice. In front of the whole world so that people understand that America doesn’t put up trying to usurp the law. And there is a code of ethics and a judge has to listen to the argument and take it into account based off the rule of law. I hope he does. I did not say this an anchor or hatred. But they’re just has to be justice. I don’t care who it is. Thank you peace and love always.
Excuse, me say this in anger…and their. I apologize I am a painter and artist and at the end of the day my shoulders are pretty trashed at my age and so I use the voice and I am usually pretty tired and don’t pay attention to typos and my punctuation so I apologize for that. I will try better next time have a great night. We have our work cut out for us to maintain our sanity and to go forthwith our convictions to stick to our guns. To keep America the land of the free for everybody.
You used all the important words Mike. Justice, ethics, rule of law, peace, love…your comment was perfect. Thank you.
Hear, here!
No need to apologize. It happens to us all. I read it like you thought it.
Well spoken & an opinion that I, and I’m sure many others, agree with 110%.
Thank you.
As one who makes the same mistakes more frequently over time, Mike, I can assure you that being tired does not detract from your substance.
🙋♀️& I'm one of them!!
As you went to sleep, our dear friend and co-fighter in justice seeking, I am reading it while seeping coffee in other side of the planet. I am grateful for your inspirational comment and proud to be a part of the community where you and I and so many of us belong. Thank you.
Understood, Mike. You beat me to it so I may just quote you. As a worn out and broken down artist myself, I understand that pain as well.
As an old Artist, I hear you loud and clear Mike. Good rest to you and blessings.
As an aging dancer, I do as well.
We get your meaning. 👍
Fifty lashes with a wet noodle, but I’m too tired to lift that noodle. Go in Peace Mike!
No doubt Alvin Bragg shrugged off death threats and proceeded based upon the law, plain and simple. A mighty three cheers for the DA for holding tRump to the dictum that "No man is above the Law"...so say all of us!
The opposite of justice is poverty. Anyone who is forced to rely on a public defender is often times considered guilty until proven innocent.
If you are a white man and live in a state where abortions are denied and you rape a woman the chance of you being prosecuted are less than 5%. Is that justice?
When you have two Supreme Court justices who are sexual predators and many politicians as well, including the President elect, there is no justice for sex crimes.
It is maddening to see the press spend countless hours speculating on the whereabouts of a "person of interest" when hundreds of women are raped or sexually abused across the US, some even killed.
So true
Hear, hear!
Hear hear
Hear, Hear !!!!
I’m an art dealer. Welcome to the business, lol. Hey, if Trump needs to appear, I will take my press credentials and stand in line for this one, too. I was there when Stormy — bless her heart, testified. I’ll take the early Metro North out of New Haven and be in line by 6 AM and dress in layers.
Good for you; we will be with you in spirit.
I love this thread! It is a sublime example of civil discourse.
No anger, no hatred, no fear, no despair -- Thich Nhat Hanh calls these poisons that we have mistakenly created in our environment that will not heal us or lead to understanding. Rule of law is perfect for that!
If Bragg prevails, we'll be able to say "34-count convicted felon president Donald Trump..."
Can’t we already say that since a jury of his peers found him guilty on all counts?
We can say it now, but if Merchan drops the charges....
Surely Merchan wouldn’t do that at this point, would he? We’ll see. My money is he won’t. That would be obscene.
And not like the also courageous Merchan.
On what grounds would the charges be dropped? I do not think Judge Merchan is considering that issue in particular, only whether sentencing is proper before or after (retch) inauguration.
Judge Merchan has been giving the defendant special treatment and I hope that stops. But it might still continue, as the judge runs out the clock.
I’m pretty sure he can’t vacate the verdict but I’m no lawyer either. Judge Merchan was very careful during trial because he didn’t want to be overturned on appeal. I really hope he goes ahead and pronounces sentence on the date expected. Why put it off? Someone somewhere has got to be standing up to these bullies with money.
They are. UHC's CEO was just murdered by someone who was "standing up to these bullies", and now, all the big bosses are scrambling to beef up their security. Sad state for our country to be in, but when "justice" depends on how much money one has, there's eventually going to be a few vigilantes seeking their own resolutions.
Fear of Trump and his henchmen, pure and simple. I have no confidence in our judicial system anymore.
Me neither. I've lost hope that TRump will ever be held accountable for anything he did or does.
Yes, sadly violence and threats of violence are a powerful force against democracy and the law.
I do not believe he will drop any one of his charges! & I also believe all his charges r going to be wouj
I do not believe he will drop any of those charges. trump was found guilty in his criminal court & J.Merchan will follow it thru..If anything he will push it into a category of wait for Presidency to be fulfilled & BAM!..Unless trump dies he will get hit with the reality of his crimes!
Cannot "heart" this. Cannot bear this...
I understand heart to include : love this!, right on, yes 🙌 ok, I get it, I hear you …. AND I agree, I can’t stand this either !!! yes 🙌 it’s pitiful ! A huge loss. Insurmountable… 😞
Go DA BRAGG !!! bravo ! Please juge🙏 Merchan !!! Do the right thing ! Make it stick !!
ABSOLUTELY YES!
HE WAS FOUND GUILTY ON ALL 34 COUNTS & THE ENTIRE WORLD HEARD IT-SAW IT & READ IT!!..INCLUDING EXPOSING OF ADULTEROUS AFFAIRS - ONE THAT PRODUCED A BABY & THEN A DIVORCE- A RAPE CHARGE ETC ETC ETC!..trump LOVES THE SPOT LIGHT & LIFE ALL ABOUT HIM..WELL HE GOT IT & IT WILL FOREVER BE IN HIS BIO NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES TO WASH IT AWAY..SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IN THIS WORLD WILL KNOW & WILL MAKE SURE IT FOLLOWS HIM & BEYOND!!
The law in New York only considers someone to be a "convicted felon" after they've been sentenced. Before sentencing, they are referred to as someone who has "been found guilty of" 34 felonies. Subtle, but there's a difference. Hopefully he'll be a "convicted felon" soon!
Katie, I wondered if this type of explanation was out there in the legal world. I’m not convinced these days that the law serves up much justice. I’ll have to cross my fingers and hope Judge Merchan doesn’t wrap this in legalese that once again offers no justice for the people or democracy.
Ugh
We can still say that; he is still a convicted felon even if he has not been sentenced.
He WILL forever be a once President that was convicted of 34 counts..& tho he may think that he beat us & the justice system - he still has to face his final judgment & no white wash of justice by any Supreme Court Justices will help him out of that one!
And don’t forget, Chump is the only president to be impeached twice in one term. But perhaps when we take back the House and Senate in 2026, we can increase it to three
Or we can remove him with a simple majority vote in each house, through disqualification from holding office pursuant to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits any person from holding office who, having previously taken an oath to support the Constitution, has engaged in insurrection against the United States. It is not too late to apply this provision to President-elect Trump, thereby barring him from assuming the Presidency.
The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that former President Trump’s name should not appear on the state’s presidential primary ballot because the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, constituted an “insurrection” that Trump “engaged in” through his personal actions.
The US Supreme Court reversed the Colorado Supreme Court solely on the basis that the Fourteenth Amendment grants Congress -- not states -- the authority to provide for the enforcement of Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates. Notably, it did not address the Colorado court’s finding that Trump had engaged in an insurrection on January 6, 2021.
The Supreme Court also was silent on the timing of Congress’s enforcement of Section 3. Specifically, it did not prohibit Congress from enforcing Section 3 after a President had been elected or had assumed office, nor did it require Congress to act within a specified time after the current or prospective officeholder had engaged in insurrection.
This ruling means that the current Congress has the authority to determine that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. To do so would simply require the adoption of a joint resolution by the House and Senate.
In the House, passage of the joint resolution would require a simple majority vote. In the Senate, the joint resolution could also be passed by majority vote, through the use of a so-called “mini-nuclear option" (suspension of the filibuster) as it relates to determining disqualification from holding office pursuant to Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Note that disqualification through the Section 3 process requires fewer votes in the Senate than removal via impeachment, which requires the votes of two-thirds of the Senators present.
The enactment of this Joint Resolution would permanently bar Trump from holding any federal office. (The disqualification could only be removed by a vote of two-thirds of both the House and the Senate.)
Ray, I like your premise, but the likelyhood of it happening with this cowardly Congress is zero. Plus then JD Vance would become President and I think he would be even worse.
The same Section 3 could be the basis for disqualifying Vance, for example, he repeated the lies about the 2020 election that prompted the insurrection. FBI vetting of Cabinet nominees should also be very careful to screen for insurrectionists and those who give aid or comfort to our enemies.
Rex, forgive me for contradicting you, but no one could outdoor the malice of DJT in and outside of the office of president. He, along with his father and a host of family members, tag along/go along friends, congressional leaders and corrupt and corrupting people have left a trail of ill-will and personal losses as the enriched themselves.
Well reasoned comment, Ray. I haven't seen any movement towards making this happen. Petitioning our Congress would be a good start. Is anyone aware of pressure being put on our senators and reps to get this going?
I don't feel any pressure on congress will be effective until after trump et al have done their damage to social security, medicare,tried to arrest Liz Cheney, etc.
and given a large tax cut to the muskovites.
And by then he will be 84. Too old for any office.
The fact that he was elected, even by such a slim majority of the popular vote, should not deter the House from taking up the (dis)qualification issue. Congress has specific authorization to act, per Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Obviously a political hot potato, but does anyone know what rumblings may be starting already, as his voters are finding out what he really has in store for them?
the people say he IS qualified. one of the most important aspects of our system.
And he’s also an adjudicated rapist! We can forever say that!
I will forever say it because it is factually true. Nothing changes that. In fact my recently published Letter to the Editor referred to the “convicted felon elect.” I never used his name.
I refer to him that way as well. After Jan 20, it will be "The Felon in Chief". I never use his name because he took the job as POTUS merely to promote his brand.
I like that! I'm going to borrow that! I've NEVER used his name following the word President.
I have settled on “rancid yam” when I am forced to refer to him.
If he is sentenced, he cannot pardon himself as it was a state conviction.
He is TCF to me and that is what I will refer to him going forward
He is and will always be tFfg to me.
Then can he be removed from being the President elect?
He could be, but it would require a majority vote of both the House and Senate. (See my comment above.)
In the House, passage of the joint resolution would require a simple majority vote. (This would require the votes of all 213 Democrats plus the defection of at least 4 Republicans.)
In the Senate, the joint resolution could also be passed by majority vote, through the use of a so-called “mini-nuclear option" (suspension of the filibuster) as it relates to determining disqualification from holding office pursuant to Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. (This would require the votes of all 47 Democrats plus at least three Independents and/or Republicans and potentially a tie-breaking vote by the President of the Senate, Kamala Harris.)
I'll leave it for you to decide whether there are at least four patriotic Republicans in the House who would be willing to put country before party and defy Trump.
Be careful what you wish for. If he's voted out, we get JD Vance instead...and he gets to choose his VP - just like Gerald Ford after Agnew was convicted and Nixon resigned rather than get impeached and convicted.
Listen to Rachel Maddow's "Bag Man". About the effort of DOJ to convict Agnew. Agnew had to resign from the Vice President office first. The thought of a criminal enterprise that Agnew was running out of the White House was abhorrent to the DOJ. [He was still selling his influence in Maryland.] DOJ did not know if Nixon would resign or be impeached or not. But they wanted Agnew out.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bag-man/id1438463967
Interesting point, Louise.
I wish... but, no.
Yeah, pretty low bar to be president in this country. (obviously!)
Even Pearls Before Swine (comic) questioned why a felon can be elected President but a felon cannot vote in the election. I would chalk that up to oversight, the Founders did not consider that a felon might run for President. They took for granted that a felon would have a sense of shame that stop them from running, and they probably believed that no felon would be elected to the Presidency. How far we have fallen.
I think Trump voted. Does the label felon only apply after the sentence? Or does Florida likely not give a hoot.
Voting as a felon is a state issue. In Florida you cannot vote if the felony was committed in Florida. If not, you can. Other states allow you to vote as a felon.
The more important issue is running for President as a felon. There needs to be an addition to the qualifications for president: felons cannot be president.
The 14th amendment prohibits running for public office if involved in an insurrection. But the Supreme Court reversed Colorado’s Supreme Court ruling to remove Trump from the primary citing only Congress can enforce the insurrection clause.
This needs to be changed as well. As a result, with a House Republican majority, we have a slew of insurrectionists in office.
no, this is the title we the people gave him
I’m thinking of using the moniker “Agent Orange” from here on in
PO1135809-33-99
Hell yes!
well said, Joyce. Three cheers for Alvin Bragg.
That’s amazing Joyce. I’m thrilled, for this brief moment in time, that there are strong voices standing up for the rule of law. Especially since we’re coming to a time when lawlessness will rule our nation. Thank you always. This is a winning good night story.
Especially since The Felon is promising to ruin anyone who challenges him. Joyce and Bragg are courageous heroes.
Thank goodness SOMEONE is standing up for the rule of law against the lawless President elect! Right on, Alvin Bragg!!!!!!! 😊🩷
Sentencing Trump is the ONLY way the US can claim that no one is above the law. No. One. I hope Merchan sentences him to “house arrest.” Trump thinks the WH is a dump. Make him stay there or wear one of those leg alarms.
Marcia King, just that thought …. That image of the orange smear ankle braced has lifted this gray day into a celestial blue for me.
Even if trump erases history the whole world watched him get convicted of 34 counts & much more these last few years - including rape!!..So trump might feel vindicated by erasing his history of criminal guilt but he can only try it here in America..somewhere out there in r big beautiful world it is still written & known!
The whole world watched him watching the Jan 6th insurrection for hours without lifting a finger to do anything. I’m still in disbelief that 50% of the country wanted this guy back in. I don’t want to use the word blame however there are so many things that the Democrats (all Democrats including Biden) could have done differently.
Thank heavens for Alvin Bragg and his tenacity for the rule of law and Constitution. I am deeply disturbed that this felonious nutjob has gotten away with so much more.
Woo-hoo! What great news! Could he possibly do time-- some of the time-- before the inauguration? I know it's doubtful, but Christmas is coming.
Food for thought:
“A Judge in Romania has annulled the results of their recent election (November 24) due to Russian Election Interference”
“ROMANIA'S ELECTION ANNULLED
KREMLIN'S TIKTOK ATTACK EXPOSED”
https://apnews.com/article/romania-election- president-georgescu-court-585e8f8f3ce7013951f5c7cf4054179b
Thank you. We now look to E. Europe for guidance on democratic principles. Through the looking glass.
Taking advice from country’s that have learned the “hard way.”
Yep people around the world have learned to got to the streets in protest & demand true justice & even governments that use to be against the people now serve the people & without hesitation act swiftly against any wrong doing & interference into their laws & elections..& to think America had it all first & now we just sit around & talk it all to death until we r tired of it & it disappears..We only punish the poor man not the money man..yep justices was easily bought here in America..
If only, SCOTUS is in the back pocket of Federalist & Heritage cabals. Sadly.
I doubt incarceration is or was ever in play for this case.
I wouldn't be so sure. I doubt he will get 10 years or anything like that, but I expect he will get a jail sentence of maybe 6 months to a year. He did some pretty egregious things and was convicted of all of them. Merchan may instead issue a house arrest jail sentence, using an ankle bracelet. Not that being "locked up" in Mar-a-lago is anything like Rikers Island, but still, loss of freedom is still loss of freedom. Also remember he has a bunch of contempt citations which Merchan was REALLY pissed about when Trump kept ignoring his orders.
I wouldn't assume he will let Trump off scott free, but no, it won't be some long prison term (unfortunately).
It should be
Don't ruin it for me! :D
It should have been.
I agree. This has been discussed since the case began and these types of cases rarely see jail time.
And that's r 1st & biggest mistake - ignoring the Laws r Founding Fathers layed out for us to follow & jeopardizing all r freedoms..Tough lesson approaching!🙋♀️
I don’t think it’s anyone’s “fault.”
I think Russia and musk won.
We each have to push back for democracy where we can! 💪🏼💪🏾💪🏿💪🏻💪🏽
A bold - and brave - move by Alvin Bragg. Trump will appeal, of course; then appeals court, then SCOTUS who scorns, it seems, accountability … at least where ethics are involved.
The extreme court is an embarrassment to this country and the rule of law.
At least where the rotted pumpkin is involved.
At least, when the next four years are involved.
The people who have been dealing with Trump's criminality from long before the current events have no illusions about who they are dealing with, and a clear idea about how to deal with him. A relief!
I thought Bragg rolled over so this is a surprise. All eyes on the judge now.
So many other people have rolled over for Trump that it's astonishing when an official who could, doesn't. Courage, all. Let's be sure to support everyone who stands up for the rule of law. Postcards, phone calls, social media. Let's cheer them on so they know they are not alone.
https://manhattanda.org/about-the-office/
Here’s DA Bragg’s contact information for those who are interested.
Excellent !! Yes do !!!
Bragg never rolled over. He was threatened by Trump’s (Putin’s) thugs as was his family. I feel he thought long and hard about standing by his convictions of serving justice to the American people, at least New Yorkers. He did and I admire him greatly for it. Merchan and his daughter were threatened also. I hope that he too, grants Bragg’s request.
Well said, Marlene
These points also highlight that Trump is “a danger to society “, which is standard practice to consider during sentencing. It seems to have been ignored until now, but perhaps Merchan will take it under consideration.
"Trump Putin" - THAT'S what I will call the traitor from now on. Thank You, Marlene.
No doubt innumerable pundits and plain ol' folks will say the New York indictment and conviction were thin gruel or worse.
Ask me if I care.
Damn right! A lot of us don’t care, while we care to see justice all the same. The future president is and will always be the most disgusting and reprehensible leader this country has ever seen in my 81 years.
Is "Leader" the correct descriptor? Reprehensible, at least. The master of the art of the GRIFT.
And to think that ur fellow American voted him back in & gave him power over u & also themselves - they just don't know it yet..but they will & then see how quickly they stop dancing & finally realize they sold their freedoms for a so called better economy & cheaper gas..lolol..I guess they didn't realize that the economy & gas have always & will continue to go up & down like a roller coaster!!..lolol..🤦🏻♀️🙈
Lots of people in the court systems I’m familiar with say it was a very thin case, but thin or not, Mr. Bragg got 34 felony convictions out of it. And that’s not a small victory.
It may be "thin" from the perspective of other jurisdictions, but falsifying business records is hardly so in Manhattan, as still the financial center of the US. And has been pointed out here, it is not only regularly prosecuted in NY under state law, but with federal predicate crimes as well.
Yes, creating false business records can and should be prosecuted. Thin in terms of media coverage perhaps, but solid when measured in increments of integrity and justice.
Also, these kinds of cases may be tried more often in the future because of this one- especially the election interference portion. That alone SHOULD prevent the guilty party from ever running for office. He is still a non-president, and the DOJ memo that prevents indictment can be challenged. Maybe sentence him to prison, then let the government figure out what happens next???
It's the kind of case that regularly gets prosecuted in New York...
Courage! Bragg brings justice. Let's hope the judge will finally see this case through.
Hats off to Alvin Bragg!!
Former ADA in Manhattan, here. Proud of The Office, and Mister Bragg.
Dear Joyce,
Fabulous! Thanks for writing up this good news now. There seem to be so many ways that Trump skirts the law. Alvin Bragg deserves so much credit for what he is doing.