Are the Bragg investigation and indictment worth it? Will any good come from this? Or will Trump slide by, violating the spirit but not the letter of the law? Republican lawyer Robert Kilner comments, “If you’re going to indict a former president, especially this one, you ought to have a clear, crisp distillation of the crime.” First, the fact that Trump is a former president is irrelevant. Bragg got that right. No one is above the law, former president or not. If anything, as a former president, Trump should be held to a higher standard, yet the opposite seems to be true. He and his advocates clearly feel that Trump need not be held accountable for his actions, no matter how dishonorable or repugnant. What is of note here is Kilner’s warning; “especially this one.” This is an acknowledgement of the danger that Trump poses. Trump will go to any length to achieve what he wants (the election was stolen, just find me 11 thousand votes) to avoid any accountability for his transgressions in both his business (Trump University) and personal affairs (Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal). He will attack any and all who stand up to him (Black prosecutors are racist, defund the Dept of Justice and the FBI). He is a vindictive bully who carries grudges and lives for payback. “Especially this one” is a great admirer of despots like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. He is pals with Mohammed bin Salman, the man responsible for the murder of Jamal Kashoggi. “Especially this one” is an existential threat to our democracy, yet he has such weird power and influence over Republican politicians that they do little more than cower and bow to his whims and tirades, obsequiously supporting him over the rule of law. Is Trump guilty? Let the law decide. Let Trump take his chances in court. Let whatever facts come out speak for themselves. Trump is a masterful Houdini who has shown he can get out of and away with pretty much anything, and there is no telling if this indictment will end his winning streak. One can only hope that Alvin Bragg has evidence that is more than “thinner gruel,” as Kilner comments; evidence that will build a persuasive and compelling case that stands on its own merits, untaintable by politics and bullies. Especially for this one.
