While you are right to note the historic nature of such an imminent indictment (as will be done by every media outlet), my concern us that this framing inadvertently overshadows the true unprecedented matter: deliberate criminal acts against the people, the Congress, and the Constitution by a former president of the United States.
Trump's crimes must be kept front and center. Indictments are a reflection of upholding the rule of law...nothing more.
That framing — of "holding a former president accountable for actions that took aim at our democracy and harmed our nation" — is central.
But, the fact that it is happening is also important. Because "upholding the rule of law" is *not* the norm in our experience, so, it is not "nothing more." It is something different. Both are noteworthy.
I take your point, and your reporting is stellar as always, but I worry that media focus on the novelty of accountability vs crimes plays into right-wing propaganda about politicization.
I think discussing both, together, does the job. At least, that is my approach.
Also, though, every report will be about the alleged crimes as the case moves forward. Not every report will be about the unusual nature of the accountability. (Just look at the reporting on the documents case to see that.)
Of course. I get the concern. I just think you have to ignore reality and our history to not talk about that aspect. And that, in the long run, could actually be worse than acknowledging and discussing it forthrightly.
The most salient and unusual fact in this case is that the Orange Troll is the first Chief Executive of the United States to refuse to accept the peaceful transition of power since 1796, which just emphasizes the childish and lawless nature of this criminal buffoon and his craven cult.
I know this is overly cynical of me, but I’m going to have a hard time believing this is true until we have a source other than Donald Trump saying it’s true.
1) This indictment, assuming that it does come out, is a long time in coming.
2) I am very fearful of what his supporters and the increasingly unhinged Congressional Republicans will do in response to it once it happens.
Thank you for the overview.
While you are right to note the historic nature of such an imminent indictment (as will be done by every media outlet), my concern us that this framing inadvertently overshadows the true unprecedented matter: deliberate criminal acts against the people, the Congress, and the Constitution by a former president of the United States.
Trump's crimes must be kept front and center. Indictments are a reflection of upholding the rule of law...nothing more.
That framing — of "holding a former president accountable for actions that took aim at our democracy and harmed our nation" — is central.
But, the fact that it is happening is also important. Because "upholding the rule of law" is *not* the norm in our experience, so, it is not "nothing more." It is something different. Both are noteworthy.
I take your point, and your reporting is stellar as always, but I worry that media focus on the novelty of accountability vs crimes plays into right-wing propaganda about politicization.
Perhaps I'm an outlier in my worries.
I think discussing both, together, does the job. At least, that is my approach.
Also, though, every report will be about the alleged crimes as the case moves forward. Not every report will be about the unusual nature of the accountability. (Just look at the reporting on the documents case to see that.)
Thank you, I appreciate your objective and courteous responses.
Of course. I get the concern. I just think you have to ignore reality and our history to not talk about that aspect. And that, in the long run, could actually be worse than acknowledging and discussing it forthrightly.
The most salient and unusual fact in this case is that the Orange Troll is the first Chief Executive of the United States to refuse to accept the peaceful transition of power since 1796, which just emphasizes the childish and lawless nature of this criminal buffoon and his craven cult.
Great to see Justice finally coming to light
Will be interesting to see if any of the charges are for inciting or assisting with an insurrection under 18 USC 2383.
The Michigan state charges were filed in a "complaint," not an indictment. What is the difference and why did AG Nessel choose this mechanism?
Talk to a Michigan lawyer. Lol. (The simplest answer is: Presumably because under Michigan law, she could.)
I know this is overly cynical of me, but I’m going to have a hard time believing this is true until we have a source other than Donald Trump saying it’s true.
NBC has 2 federal law enforcement officials confirming.
Speaking of efforts to promote false electors, what's going on with
Eastman 's disbarrment(?)
in CA? Any progress on this?