(Note: As I was writing this post, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, male and female, appeared in the tree outside my window. I took that as a sign that spring is coming.)
***
Well, the legal troubles for Donald J. Trump have officially begun with his indictment in New York, and from all indications there are more such charges on the way in other jurisdictions.
So for starters, let’s just agree it is a sad day when for the first time in our history a former president has been indicted.
We’re apparently going to have to wait for his arraignment in Manhattan on Tuesday to learn the specific charges he faces. That hasn’t stopped commentators on all sides of the political spectrum from speculating about them.
And, of course, the inevitable claim from Trump’s allies that this indictment is actually a political witch-hunt that amounts to persecution as opposed to a legitimate prosecution.
Since the D.A. bringing the charges, Alvin Bragg, is a Democrat who campaigned on the promise to hold Trump accountable for his alleged crimes, it is extremely difficult to simply refute the witch-hunt possibility out of hand, and I won’t even try.
On the other hand, as one who has covered local prosecutors for many years, I have to say that the more politically ambitious of these officials are far less likely to bring a case they think they cannot win, because that would hurt their careers.
Accordingly, while Bragg may indeed be politically motivated, that only strengthens the likelihood that he feels he has a very strong case against Trump. As I and others have previously noted, it will be extremely difficult to get a unanimous jury verdict against Trump in any jurisdiction, including New York, due to his fervent base of supporters who appear likely to stand by him, no matter what.
Therefore, my expectation is that Bragg has an overwhelming amount of evidence in this case, though we’ll have to wait until Tuesday to see whether that is in fact true.
So much more than Trump’s innocence or guilt is at stake, however. This may be the first of several legal cases against the former president. How our judicial system fares in the eyes of the American people in these efforts to enforce the law will go a long way toward determining our democracy’s prospects in the 21st century.
LINKS:
Republican leaders and Trump loyalists on Capitol Hill rally behind the former president after indictment (CNN)
Indictment follows 50 years of investigation on many fronts (WP)
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman noted that criminal charges must be a "very scary moment" for Trump. "This is somebody who has spent more than four decades trying to avoid being arrested or being indicted," Haberman said. "And so this is a really scary moment for him, despite whatever he says." [HuffPost]
A President Faces Prosecution, and a Democracy Is Tested (NYT)
Indictment could be a double-edged sword for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign (NPR)
Trump indictment throws 2024 race into uncharted territory (AP)
After a guest on his show warned that Trump’s indictment marked a “civil war era” in the U.S., Fox News host Tucker Carlson said Americans should hold onto their assault rifles. “Probably not the best time to give up your AR-15, and I think most people know that,” Carlson said. [HuffPost]
Here’s what Trump’s indictment means and what happens next (WP)
Wall Street Journal reporter is first U.S. journalist to be arrested in Russia since the Cold War (MSNBC)
In Arrest of American Reporter, Russia Doubles Down on Isolation From West (NYT)
An AI researcher who has been warning about the technology for over 20 years says we should 'shut it all down,' and issue an 'indefinite and worldwide' ban (Business Insider)
This ChatGPT alternative is free, open source, and available now (Digital Trends)
ChatGPT banned in Italy over privacy concerns (BBC)
The Bureau of Land Management has largely prioritized leasing its lands for mining and drilling. A new rule would change that. The proposed rule would direct BLM to “protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data.” In addition, BLM would have to incorporate land health assessments into its decisions on land use. [HuffPost]
Speeding up drug discovery with diffusion generative models (MIT News)
New Rules Will Make Many Electric Cars Ineligible for Tax Credits (NYT)
How Networks and Streamers Are Prepping for a Potential Writers Strike (Hollywood Reporter)
Scientists Find Footprints Older Than the Dinosaurs (Discover)
Iowa star Caitlin Clark, like Steph Curry, has redefined what a good shot is in basketball (USA Today)
Park Ranger Slips Fat Fish To Bear Before Gesturing Towards Littering Family He Wants Mauled (The Onion)
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