When the rule of law is ignored courts become marsupial!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW!

by Steve Fair

 

     For the first time in American history, a former president is a convicted felon.  A Manhattan jury found President Donald J. Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up an affair with Stormy Daniels.  Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11th, just days before the GOP nominating convention in Milwaukee.  Trump faces the possibility of prison time, but more likely will get probation. 

     “This is long from over,” the former president said moments after the jury’s decision was announced.  In a YouGov survey 50% of Americans agreed with the jury’s decision, 30% didn’t agree and 19% had no opinion.  YouGov is a UK based polling group that has faced allegations of poll manipulation in the past, so their work should be taken with a grain of salt.

     Trump’s conviction does not prevent him from running for president.  The only U.S. Constitutional requirements are the candidate (1) be over 35 years old, (2) a natural born citizen, and (3) been a resident of the U.S. for 14 years.  It would not be the first time a felon has run for president.  Eugene Debs, the Socialist Party candidate in 1920, was in prison on sedition charges when he won 3.4% of the popular vote.  Like Debs, Trump could be running the White House from the Big House.  Three observations:

     First, it’s not certain Trump received a fair trial.  That doesn’t mean he didn’t, but the criminal justice system in America is not flawless.  Innocent people are convicted and guilty ones walk every day in the courts of the United States.  Trump claims the trial was rigged, but he claims every battle he loses is rigged.  He also claims President Biden has weaponized the justice department and he is being unfairly targeted. 

     Most legal experts believe the prosecution’s theory Cohen’s payment to Daniels was a de facto donation to the Trump campaign is a stretch.  They contend Trump was targeted for political reasons and the reason was to prevent him from winning the election.  Expect the appellate courts to determine if the trial was a fair one.    

     Second, the influence of the conviction on the 2024 election is yet to be seen.  It could help Trump, or it could hurt his candidacy.  In a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 10% of Republicans claimed they are less likely to vote for him after the conviction.  56% of GOP voters said it had no effect on how they would vote and 35% said they were more likely to support him.  The 2024 race is expected to be very close and a few thousand votes in five states could determine who wins.  Trump has used the convictions to raise a ton of money, so it could also get him votes.  

     Third, no one is above the law.  If Trump broke the law, he should be held accountable.  It is unfair and ironic the Clintons, Bidens, and others have skirted the law for years.  Prosecutors have turned a blind eye to their shenanigans for years, but that is no excuse to break the law.  If Trump broke the law, he should pay the price. 

     Written above the main entrance of the U.S. Supreme Court Building are the words: “The republican endures and this is the symbol of its faith.  EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW.” 

     Americans should expect all citizens, regardless of their Party affiliation or political views, will be treated equally in the judicial system.  When misbehavior is excused, and the rule of law ignored, there are no rules and the courts become marsupial and the republic succumbs.