The case “The former Donald J. Trump of the United States of America vs. The United States of America” is imminent… and so far, he is winning. Yes, I’m aware that there is something that seems a little bit odd about this statement. So, to state it more clearly, Mr. Donald J. Trump vs. The United States of America has not even started yet but he is already winning. What do I mean? Here is a mock exchange, founded on events that actually occurred, between Mr. Trump and the United States of America. Based on this exchange, you decide.
The United States of America: Based on tradition and norms Mr. The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, you must make your tax information available to the public.
Mr. Trump: In essence Flips the bird, aka f**k you. The “aka” is a one-time clarification, in the very unlikely event that there is anyone in this world who does not know what this means. So, if this expression should happen to occur again in this article you will know what it means without further clarification.
The United States of America: Mr. The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, based on traditions and norms, you must avoid even the appearance of nepotism in your administration.
Mr. Trump: Flips the bird.
The United States of America: Mr. The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, it is against the law for you to try to force Ukraine or any other country to help you win reelection by forcing them to provide dirt against your opponent.
Mr. Trump: Flips the bird.
The United States of America: Mr. The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, it is against the law for you to try to remain in power after you have lost the election by pressuring states to somehow find non-existing votes that you need to overturn election results, pressuring your Vice President to refuse to do his duty in certifying the votes or to take part in or refuse to do your duty to quell an insurrection that occurs in order to keep you in power or to try to remain in power by any other means that is not in accordance with the law.
Mr. Trump: Flips the bird.
The United States of America: Mr. The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, it is against the law for you to take records, especially classified documents that require special storage (SCIF), that belong to the American people to your private home at Mar-a-Lago. Further, it is against the law for you to refuse to return them to the government when they request them.
Mr. Trump: Flips the bird… and then says “they’re mine!”
Obviously, the above list of Donald J. Trump infractions is not exhaustive; but what do you think; have you reached a decision? Do you think that Mr. Trump is already winning? Do you think that there should be a trial? Well – although Mr. Trump has lied to the US Archives and the courts about the documents he had at Mar-a-Lago and is fundamentally via implication still agitating his supporters to commit violence by publicly stating that they “would not stand for it” and saying that “[the US government] would have big trouble” should he be indicted, US Attorney General Merrick Garland still has not reached a decision as to whether or not the Department of Justice should indict Mr. Trump. Whether or not Mr. Trump was involved – whether overtly, covertly, tacitly or not at all – in the previously mentioned examples of lawlessness must be decided via a trial. Therefore – based on all of the evidence that is collected, if warranted, Mr. Trump must be indicted and there must be a trial.
There is no doubt that it is a tough decision that Attorney General Garland is faced with even though there is overwhelming evidence right now to support an indictment. But because there are dire consequences associated with a decision to indict, AG Garland is proceeding with extreme caution. That is understandable. However, there are also just as dire consequences, if not more so, that are associated with not holding Mr. Trump to account.
All of us have seen what happens when Mr. Trump is not held to account. Witness what happened when congress twice had the chance to hold him accountable but each time – with the strong support of Mr. Trump by senate Republicans under the leadership and guidance of Senator Mitch McConnell – refused to do so for political reasons. This only emboldened Mr. Trump to move on to other unlawful things that have proven to be even worse.
If the Department of Justice follows suit and once again refuses to hold Mr. Trump to account, he will do even worse things and we could actually lose our republic. The American democracy could quickly become the American autocracy… headed by non-other than Donald J. Trump. This one man, thus far, has already demonstrated that he has the ability and mental fortitude to manipulate an entire powerful government despite resistance by the majority that opposes him and hold it hostage. We must not allow Mr. Trump and his allies to manipulate us, the American people, into being caught like a deer in headlights; we must not be frozen by fear! Make a decision AG Garland.
Eulus Dennis – author, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line