Heading Into Tuesday
Today, two major events take place, as we continue to wait and see whether our democratic institutions are strong enough to hold a former president, who is untethered to the expectations the Constitution sets for our elected leaders, accountable.
In the Mar-a-Lago case, senior district Judge Raymond Dearie, appointed special master in the case based on Trump’s nomination and the government’s agreement, will hold a hearing at 2:00 p.m. ET to set an agenda and timeline for his work. Trump’s lawyers sent the court a letter yesterday, demanding access to classified documents next week but proposing a delay to any obligation on their part to discuss whether and how Trump declassified any seized documents until “early November,” i.e. after the midterm elections. Interested in listening in? Here’s the access info: (571) 353-2301, Access Code: 620191294
In 11th Circuit proceedings, Trump’s lawyers owe the Court a response today at 12:00 p.m. This is on DOJ’s request that the 11th Circuit prevent Judge Cannon’s order from going into effect insofar as it applies to classified documents. The Judge previously declined to grant DOJ a stay. Now we wait to see if the three-judge panel in Atlanta, which acted expeditiously to set this filing date, will countermand her. It’s hard to find any legal reason they shouldn’t. The government has shown it’s likely to succeed on the merits of the appeal because FPOTUS has no right to possess these documents and because implementing Judge Cannon’s order will cause irreparable harm by delaying the criminal investigation, and perhaps more importantly, interfering with the national security assessment of damage done by Trump’s cavalier handling of top secret documents. And, there is no conceivable damage to Trump if the matter is put on hold while the court untangles the mess Trump has made. This is a classic case for granting a stay.
I’ll look forward to your comments as the day progresses!
While we wait on the courts, it’s a good day to remember that ultimately, justice can be best served up by voters. Voters render the most official of verdicts on our nation’s politicians. Make sure you’re registered and continue to have conversations with those around you. Now’s the time to go a step beyond registration and encourage your circle to start educating themselves about candidates—the down ballot races matter as much as the ones at the top.
Trump held a rally over the weekend with cheesy music and echoes of Nazi salutes. The temptation to laugh him off overlooks how truly dangerous he is and how much he continues to empower the worst in once-fringe elements of American society. If you’re looking for a way to push back, after 2020 and the threats Republicans launched against poll workers, there’s a nationwide shortage in many places. Here’s an opportunity to step in and work directly for democracy. More information at www.powerthepolls.org
We’re in this together,
Joyce
Sigh. Today I am simply hoping for some indicator that the judicial system will prove to be untainted by Trumpism.
Thank you, as ever, for your clarity.
Thank you again for the explainer. I find myself reading each new piece with dread fascination, as if this was a horror novel that didn't have real consequences for our democracy, while knowing, no matter how extreme the reality of these proceedings becomes, it is reality. There is no sitting on the sidelines and hoping it all works out in the end. So, thank you for the reminder that the power of this country arises from the people and that we are the ones who enable what occurs, whether we like it or not. Our energy must be used to change the course and we can't let our amazement at the scene deter us from doing our part. Voting is not just a civic duty, it is the civic duty.
Hope the chickens are doing well.