This afternoon, the Supreme Court told us that it will hear Trump's presidential immunity appeal. After sitting on it for two and a half weeks, they've issued a brief grant of certiorari, scheduling argument for the week of April 22. It’s a major disappointment for people who believe justice can be done and presidents are not above the law. And understand, this is not about politics. This is not about using a criminal prosecution in an unfair way against a candidate for office. This is about seeking justice and accountability, the core functions of our criminal justice system. “Justice delayed is justice denied” is the earworm that’s burning through my brain tonight.
I always wondered how societies let themselves be taken over by crooks, dictators, incompetents, etc. Now we see it happening in the US in real time. Your last few paragraphs are helpful, Joyce, because the rest of us need to stay engaged and determined to defend our democracy and defeat MAGA and Trump. Cynicism, despair, and fatalism will not save us. We can overcome the corruption and extremism on SCOTUS by registering voters, getting out the vote, supporting honest local election officials, and celebrating our shared values for our democracy and freedoms.
So, to be clear, if SCOTUS finds in Trumps favor, President Biden can and should do anything to stay in power and prevent trump from returning to power. Correct?
While it is hard to imagine that a majority of even this benighted court could accept Trump's presidential immunity claim, at least four justices plainly want to give Trump the advantage of not going to trial before the election. Disgraceful election interference.
Hopefully, they will hold it in their minds -- as I argue in my Substack Reasoning Together -- that the possibility of a re-elected President Trump ordering the assassination of those he deems “enemies of the people” is not in the least hypothetical.
Supreme Court History Replay: The same folks who made Bush President now tip the scales for Trump. This infographic shows how John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ted Cruz, Joel Kaplan, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alioto helped stop the vote recount in Florida to get Bush Jr. elected. Surprised by their decision to tilt the scales for Trump?
No special counsel, Attorney General, judge or Supreme Court was every going to save us from Trump. Joyce is right, it's up to us to vote, to get everyone we know to vote. People who don't care that Trump is liable for rape and defamation, or that his company committed tax fraud, or that he committed financial fraud through his company will change their vote based on any of the criminal charges. People can't even see the illogic of thinking Trump is immune to criminal charges but ignoring the fact that it also means Biden is immune (although I don't think Biden would become a criminal). I do wonder if any of them will question their vote because Trump doesn't have the funds, at this point in time, to file any appeals; he is not a billionaire or a successful businessman. Republicans will also keep pushing their Christian Nationalist agenda which has been the reason they've been losing elections.
The Court has lost all credibility! History will judge those 5 politicians harshly pretending to be honest and fair judges! They are scum and I am sadly but proudly saying it! Disgusting!
Joyce, thank you for your posts which add much needed clarity to these labyrinthine proceedings and machinations by the Trump legal teams to once more deny justice through delay.
I am feeling much anger tonight. Anger at Merrick Garland for not appointing a special prosecutor a year earlier. Anger at Joe Biden for not being more aggressive earlier in his term and check mating McConnell by expanding the court when he had the chance. Lastly I am angry that our country's democracy hangs by a thread and lies at the mercy of a politicized court with an authoritarian right-wing theocratic agenda and mission.
I hope for the best, but if not, to the November ramparts where we will fight to defeat this tyrant.
As you always remind us, we're in this together. I need you and the comfort of this community more than ever.
Maybe the Georgia case will go to trial and a verdict before the election. But Joyce is absolutely correct that we have to go all out to defeat Trump without any convictions.
Give to campaigns.
Support voter registration drives.
Talk to people.
Write letters to the editor.
Stay informed and fight!
I’ve been a social justice advocate since the 1960s. It’s too bad we still have to keep fighting for the right to vote. But I’m not too tired to continue struggling and none of us should be.
The fascist coup mentioned in hartmann report is going on. Incredible. Distressing. But is this really a surprise. Mitch the bitch is one artisan of it. They blocked obama's appointee to scotus. No shame those corrupt justices. Civil war looming. Why do you think most police depts received generous military upgrades a few years ago? Not only to clear old stocks. Yes we are in this together and I fear more and more deeply.
In deciding to take the immunity case today, with its sweeping, overly broad question and setting a very slow timetable, SCOTUS pretty much assured that Trump won’t go to trial before the election. During the months of delay, he’ll get to continue trying his case in the court of public opinion where he has the main stream media facilitating his doing that. SCOTUS has shown itself in even starker terms to be corrupt, in Trump’s pocket. They know what this delay means that they are effectively declaring Trump immune.
We need to fight back. What are the ways open to us? At the least, we should ALL be writing letters to the Court, our Congress people, the media. Flood them with letters. I would love to hear what others think and what else we can be doing.
It’s so hard to have another battle to fight when we have so many.
We know we have to win -- and win big – at the ballot box, but in the meantime, let’s flood SCOTUS etc with letters of outrage.
We’re it.
The first line and the last line of defense.
The only way all these criminals will be held responsible for their crimes is for Donald Trump to lose the election in November.
The only way we will see justice is when we create the conditions for justice to prevail.
I'm scared to death and so disillusioned right now. 😳
I always wondered how societies let themselves be taken over by crooks, dictators, incompetents, etc. Now we see it happening in the US in real time. Your last few paragraphs are helpful, Joyce, because the rest of us need to stay engaged and determined to defend our democracy and defeat MAGA and Trump. Cynicism, despair, and fatalism will not save us. We can overcome the corruption and extremism on SCOTUS by registering voters, getting out the vote, supporting honest local election officials, and celebrating our shared values for our democracy and freedoms.
So, to be clear, if SCOTUS finds in Trumps favor, President Biden can and should do anything to stay in power and prevent trump from returning to power. Correct?
I need about ten pounds of chocolate right now.
It’s definitely scary right now, but it makes me mad as hell too! NEVER AGAIN! 😡😡😡😡
Disappoints is an understatement
While it is hard to imagine that a majority of even this benighted court could accept Trump's presidential immunity claim, at least four justices plainly want to give Trump the advantage of not going to trial before the election. Disgraceful election interference.
Hopefully, they will hold it in their minds -- as I argue in my Substack Reasoning Together -- that the possibility of a re-elected President Trump ordering the assassination of those he deems “enemies of the people” is not in the least hypothetical.
Supreme Court History Replay: The same folks who made Bush President now tip the scales for Trump. This infographic shows how John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ted Cruz, Joel Kaplan, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alioto helped stop the vote recount in Florida to get Bush Jr. elected. Surprised by their decision to tilt the scales for Trump?
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/02/28/maga-supreme-court-justices-tip-the-scales-for-trump/
No special counsel, Attorney General, judge or Supreme Court was every going to save us from Trump. Joyce is right, it's up to us to vote, to get everyone we know to vote. People who don't care that Trump is liable for rape and defamation, or that his company committed tax fraud, or that he committed financial fraud through his company will change their vote based on any of the criminal charges. People can't even see the illogic of thinking Trump is immune to criminal charges but ignoring the fact that it also means Biden is immune (although I don't think Biden would become a criminal). I do wonder if any of them will question their vote because Trump doesn't have the funds, at this point in time, to file any appeals; he is not a billionaire or a successful businessman. Republicans will also keep pushing their Christian Nationalist agenda which has been the reason they've been losing elections.
The Court has lost all credibility! History will judge those 5 politicians harshly pretending to be honest and fair judges! They are scum and I am sadly but proudly saying it! Disgusting!
Joyce, thank you for your posts which add much needed clarity to these labyrinthine proceedings and machinations by the Trump legal teams to once more deny justice through delay.
I am feeling much anger tonight. Anger at Merrick Garland for not appointing a special prosecutor a year earlier. Anger at Joe Biden for not being more aggressive earlier in his term and check mating McConnell by expanding the court when he had the chance. Lastly I am angry that our country's democracy hangs by a thread and lies at the mercy of a politicized court with an authoritarian right-wing theocratic agenda and mission.
I hope for the best, but if not, to the November ramparts where we will fight to defeat this tyrant.
As you always remind us, we're in this together. I need you and the comfort of this community more than ever.
Absolute Disappointment.
Maybe the Georgia case will go to trial and a verdict before the election. But Joyce is absolutely correct that we have to go all out to defeat Trump without any convictions.
Give to campaigns.
Support voter registration drives.
Talk to people.
Write letters to the editor.
Stay informed and fight!
I’ve been a social justice advocate since the 1960s. It’s too bad we still have to keep fighting for the right to vote. But I’m not too tired to continue struggling and none of us should be.
The fascist coup mentioned in hartmann report is going on. Incredible. Distressing. But is this really a surprise. Mitch the bitch is one artisan of it. They blocked obama's appointee to scotus. No shame those corrupt justices. Civil war looming. Why do you think most police depts received generous military upgrades a few years ago? Not only to clear old stocks. Yes we are in this together and I fear more and more deeply.
In deciding to take the immunity case today, with its sweeping, overly broad question and setting a very slow timetable, SCOTUS pretty much assured that Trump won’t go to trial before the election. During the months of delay, he’ll get to continue trying his case in the court of public opinion where he has the main stream media facilitating his doing that. SCOTUS has shown itself in even starker terms to be corrupt, in Trump’s pocket. They know what this delay means that they are effectively declaring Trump immune.
We need to fight back. What are the ways open to us? At the least, we should ALL be writing letters to the Court, our Congress people, the media. Flood them with letters. I would love to hear what others think and what else we can be doing.
It’s so hard to have another battle to fight when we have so many.
We know we have to win -- and win big – at the ballot box, but in the meantime, let’s flood SCOTUS etc with letters of outrage.