Oh, the Irony: Trump’s Indictments Begin in New York!

abuse of power, current events, Political wrongdoing, presidential corruption 4 Minutes
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Less than a week before the 2016 election, my husband and I attended a lecture at the New York Public Library. The speaker was journalist and author Calvin Trillin, a wry humorist who began his talk with a question for the audience that he answered himself:

“Want to know why I’m not nervous about the election? I already have a house in Canada!”

Above the nervous laughter, a man in the back called out:

“How many rooms?”

The nervous laughter exploded into waves of hysteria. Comic relief, for sure.

New York journalists, who knew Trump well, tried to warn the country about this lawless man. So did Hillary Clinton, who also knew him well after years of living in New York.

He was/is a mobster. I know—only second-hand—a story of a man who was opposing Trump in a major New York City real estate deal years ago. The man received a phone call warning him:

“We know where your children go to school.”

I was told that story by the grandma of the threatened children.

As the likelihood increased in recent weeks that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would be the first prosecutor to indict the former president, talking media heads seemed obsessed with issues over which no one outside of Bragg’s office has any control.

–If the major charge against Trump involved hiding his payment of hush money to porn film persona Stormy Daniels to cover up the affair she claimed they’d had four months after Melania gave birth, was that sufficiently important to indict the former President?

–Wouldn’t it be better if Fulton County DA Fani Willis in Georgia or Special Counsel Jack Smith in the Department of Justice went first, presumably with more substantive charges?

–Could Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, who served time for the same crime—prosecuted by Bill Barr’s Justice Department—be a reliable witness in this case?

–What does it mean that nothing happened on Tuesday, which was the day Trump announced he’d be indicted? Had his threats against Bragg, which triggered a series of death threats, frightened Bragg into giving up?

Interestingly, when days went by after his phony claim without an indictment, Trump expressed his admiration for the Grand Jury. Let’s see how long that lasts!

We don’t yet know what charges form the basis for the New York Grand Jury’s decision to indict Trump. There are reportedly 34 of them, including felony(ies), which remain under seal.

So all is speculation until Tuesday, when Trump will be arraigned, fingerprinted, and photographed for a mug shot that will be seen around the world.

A number of former prosecutors have pointed out that if Trump broke the law, he should face charges. Bragg’s office has charged many New Yorkers in cases involving falsifying business records, which are some of the possible counts in the forthcoming indictment.

If no one is above the law in the United States, then it’s time for this lawless former president to appear before a jury of his peers at long last.

Former Prosecutor Joyce Vance wrote in her Substack newsletter:

“…while some people have suggested that the charges in Manhattan are insignificant, I don’t see it that way. The Stormy Daniels incident is the origin story for Trump’s confidence that he could manipulate elections and Americans to his own benefit. Far from being ‘ticky-tack’ charges, as some have suggested, it’s important to see accountability start at the beginning for Trump.”

And New York seems just right.

Recall him descending the golden escalator at Trump Tower to announce his entry into the race in 2015, warning that Mexico was sending “rapists” to the US.

When he was inaugurated, he made his “American carnage” speech, which turned out to be his opening bit of projection. He claimed he’d end the alleged carnage; in fact, he’s inflamed it, and he continues to toss matches as he chooses—all in service to his insatiable ego, greed, and cruel power lust. And now it’s in a desperate effort to avoid accountability for his crimes.

This is the New York where in 1973, the Department of Justice sued Trump and his father for racial discrimination in refusing to rent apartments in the borough of Queens to Black prospective tenants. The suit arose from Black testers for the New York Civil Rights Division, who were denied apartments that were subsequently found to be available. The case was settled.

And this is the New York where in 1989, one Latino and four Black teenagers were wrongly convicted in the brutal assault of a woman who became known as “the Central Park jogger.” Knowing nothing about the case, Trump paid for ads demanding that these five kids receive the death penalty.

Asked in 2019 if he would apologize for his false accusation, he refused, saying in words with a now-familiar ring:

“You have people on both sides.”

Based on his previous behavior, it is not surprising that last week Trump assailed DA Bragg as an “animal” who is backed by George Soros, the Jewish philanthropist who has nothing to do with this case, but whose name has become antisemitic shorthand for Jews’ alleged control of Black people for nefarious purposes.

Trump therefore compressed racism and antisemitism into one social media diatribe.

He also reproduced a photo fusing his image holding a baseball bat over Bragg’s head.

So it’s possible that the charges against him will include threatening a prosecutor, which former Democratic special counsel Norm Eisen has noted “is a crime in NY. In fact, MULTIPLE crimes.”

On New York’s Upper West Side, the name Trump Place has been removed from blocks of dwellings, a sure symbol of the tarnished legacy of this evil man.

And one of the innocent young men whom Trump wanted to send to his death, when asked his thoughts about the indictment, said simply:

“Karma.”

Donald Trump is, of course, innocent until proven guilty. His conviction is not a sure thing. But New York has every right to go first.

It’s a wonderful town.

Annie

Published by annieasksyou

I've been a nonfiction writer for many years, exploring diverse topics that pique my curiosity, as noted in my first blog posting (Greetings!). I'm seeking dialogue with others committed to joining me in this exploration, sharing my conviction that different views can be exchanged in a respectful, civil discourse where we can learn from one another and be agreeable, even when we disagree. These postings depend for their enrichment on your participation: your ideas, insights, knowledge, opinions, and personal stories.

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91 thoughts on “Oh, the Irony: Trump’s Indictments Begin in New York!”

  1. If this had been a saner era I would have been following this delayed pursuit of Trump avidly on TV, radio and net.
    However the thought of hearing not just his whining drivel but the deluge of histrionic support from the MAGA cultists has me fearing for the safety of what device the sound and sight issues forth from.
    When Nixon fell, it was because there was still enough integrity around for the general cry of ‘Enough is Enough’. Yes there was still support for him, but it was not a blind, fanatical cult.
    God help the USA.

    Liked by 8 people

    Reply

    1. My response seems a bit academic, I fear, but I’ve been impressed by former prosecutors and contemporary historians who opine that if Nixon had been indicted and convicted—rather than permitted to resign and pardoned—we might be in a much better place at this point. So I hope this is the beginning of a better era.

      It’s also and perhaps even more likely that if the Republicans who condemned him after Jan 6, including Senators Graham and McConnell, had been willing to convict him following the House’s impeachment, America would not be facing this dangerous cult.

      We need a broad citizen response against the party that’s allowed a cult and become a cult as well.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. Yes the failure to convict tricky dick was an important step down for the country.
        That led to addled ronnie’s lawless regime by ignoring the constitition to set up an independent funding for the executive branch during Iran/Contra among other crimes.
        Ed Meese not being convicted for illegal loan because the DoJ decided it waas to small an offense to prosecute an AG for.
        And don’t forget perjurer papa lyng about documents on Iran Contra for 6 years and, with Bill Barr running the printing press, pardoning anyone who might testify against him on his way out the door.
        These examples showed demented donnie that “presidents” could get away with enormous crimes.

        Liked by 3 people

      3. The issue of Trump has reached that dangerous tipping point where in the eyes of his followers he can do no wrong, and he not being a character who cares one jot about anyone other than himself has no responsibility.
        Again looking back to Nixon. He was a troubled, complex character who lost control of his demons early on, so much so that on occasions he might have been doing the right thing for the wrong reasons (I’m thinking of the ‘China Card’ ). Thus I have a feeling that politically he ‘copped a plea’, quit while he still had a shred of a legacy. Everyone at the time reckoned that was the best way out of the whole mess….
        Not so today, the Republican Party seem locked into a blinkered mindset and will not back out no matter what sort of long-term Gutterdämmerung they risk.

        Liked by 2 people

      5. Sadly yes Annie, it is a brave person who stands against the extreme wing of their own party. As we have discussed, this is a cult
        Moderates in the UK Labour Party suffer abuse and threats from within some extreme or hard-line Left Wings, who mirror MAGA for sheer nastiness, ignorance and prejudice.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. That was a good summary……but I’m worried about Tuesday. What happens if Trump doesn’t show up? I can see that happening, that he will just ignore everything, as he so clearly believes he is above the law….and it has worked until now!

    Liked by 6 people

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      6. Jill…..upon reflecting further upon it I thought yes he’ll relish the photos and all the attention. Initially I was thinking of him as being so childish that he would say ‘I’m not going and you can’t make me!”

        Liked by 2 people

      8. Agree Annie…but I doubt if they will publish it or show him entering the courtroom, as they won’t want to inflame his followers. I have to go to the dentist on Tues afternoon, so I won’t be watching, but hope there isn’t any violence.

        Liked by 1 person

      10. As to his mug shot, Joni, I heard one commenter say that they will be guided by the rules of what’s routinely done as much as possible to underscore the equitable treatment, so it will be interesting to see what they decide about the mug shot. I’m guessing they’ll release it.

        Like

      12. He’s not above having a childish fit of temper and refusing to go, but in the end, his ego will take him wherever there’s a photo opportunity and this one will rile his masses, so a double bonus in his eyes.

        Liked by 1 person

      14. I read that he got over $4 million in just 24 hours after the indictment was announced. Equally appalling was hearing Lindsey Graham to online and plead with people to send Trump money for his defense. The man is supposedly a billionaire!!! Why should people earning minimum wage be sending him their hard-earned money??? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr …

        Liked by 2 people

  4. It’s natural that this indictment comes first because the hush-money payment and tax evasion for it is the simplest crime. The Georgia election-meddling case and the incitement of the insurrection are more complex prosecutions to undertake and so preparations will take longer. At least if Trump is in the hoosegow in New York, he can’t flee to Russia to escape Willis and Smith.

    The fact that Cohen did time for his role in the Daniels payment strikes me as significant. If even a peripheral figure in that business went to prison, it must be a more serious crime than most people have assumed, and the likelihood of Trump getting a prison sentence if convicted seems high. Plus, 34 charges seems like a lot for a single act of tax evasion. I wonder if some of those charges are actually for the threats against Bragg, surely a more serious matter.

    On right-wing blogs I see pretty much everything and everybody they don’t like described as “Soros-backed”. Soros has taken on the role of Satan; whenever anything “evil” happens, he must somehow be the ultimate cause of it. I hope the guy has good personal security.

    Liked by 9 people

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    1. It does appear to be the most straightforward case against Trump, Infidel, though some have conjectured that Bragg may overreach by trying to tie the state hush money issue to a federal election law violation (in order to make it a felony). From what I’ve read about Bragg, he’s both too clever and too cautious to test a novel approach. He knows how much is at stake.

      The case that Bill Barr’s DOJ brought against Michael Cohen stated that Cohen acted in agreement with and at the direction of “Individual 1,” who was clearly Trump. Somehow that fact gets lost in all the Republicans’ rants about how unjust all this is. It’s not clear why Garland didn’t pick it up when Individual 1 was no longer President. (It’s also not clear why he didn’t pursue the Mueller Report’s clear roadmap for indictment.)

      And whether Trump would actually serve time in the hoosegaw if indicted is a big question.

      I hope the charges include threatening a prosecutor. We really need people to know there are consequences to such threats.

      Yes, 92-year-old George Soros has apparently become the personification of evil for the right, and it’s dismaying to hear not only Trump but McCarthy and DeSantis and others so comfortable with this blatantly antisemitic rhetoric. But Soros seems unfazed. I just saw he’s on Twitter, and apart from a statement that he’s never donated money to Bragg, he seemed more eager to note he’s more hopeful for the Ukrainians now. I’m sure he has protection.

      Liked by 3 people

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  5. The first steps in the end game perhaps, but the exquisite irony in that his very very first steps in a life of criminality were taken in NY City. A perp walk anywhere else would have simply been in-harmonious. Too bad he is incapable of understanding it. It will not sting. There is no sober to get to.
    “A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.”
    ― Edgar Allan Poe ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’

    Liked by 3 people

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  6. It would be a worthwhile to watch on TV, listen on the radio or witness anywhere Trump been treated as the criminal he is. However if having to put up with his whining form of defence were not bad enough, there will be the cult-like protests from MAGA adherents and Republican politicians who sold their political souls.
    At least when Nixon was forced from enough there was a general air of ‘Enough is Enough’, even if it was mingled with some sorrow by supporters.
    These days it is like trying to talk moderation with the Taliban or ISIS..

    Liked by 6 people

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      1. You know things are bad when you can get nostalgic over Nixon, Reagan and hold Bush snr as a shining example. Even Bush jnr looks good against this current crew.
        This happens to every nation at some stage, leaving the ordinary folk to say ‘Yeah. But why now?’

        Liked by 2 people

  7. What horrible thoughts to “entertain” as Holy Week, the most solemn days of the Church year, begins to unfold. I don’t need this distraction from my own personal devotions and meditations, yet how can I ignore it? On that infamous day of insurrection infamy two years ago, I suffered a seizure — a stroke — from the shock, from which I remain partially paralyzed and unable to age gracefully. Yes, “Enough is Enough” already!

    Liked by 6 people

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    1. Jo dear, perhaps it would be best to limit your exposure to it and just get a recap later after it’s all over. Sometimes I do that, if I’m feeling stressed and not in the mood for any more drama and bad news, and we know how good Trump is at drama! I’m sure he will have something cooked up to stir the pot next week.

      Liked by 4 people

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      2. It’s unfortunately a mixed bag, Jo. We also ignore him at our peril. Americans who see how appalling he is must counter the noisier minority who are enthralled. But of course you must protect your health—first and foremost.

        Liked by 2 people

    3. These are indeed times which test the soul.
      Even at this distance in the UK I can be easily incensed by the hypocrisy and ignorance being manufactured by The Right.
      There are times when I just scan news feeds for headlines but look not further. As you point out this is Holy Week and anger or violence of thought should not be allowed into our hearts. Consider Christ and Peter’s differing actions when the temple guard came for Jesus.
      Take care. May you find a spiritual week.
      Roger

      Liked by 2 people

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  8. Are you familiar this story? New Jersey man jailed for threatening to kill Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Richard Golden, of New Jersey, appeared before a judge on Tuesday in Daytona Beach. He threatened to kill Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on a social media site.
    Patricio G. Balona Patricio G. Balona, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. It is worth re-reading the quote from Joyce Vance. It is spot on. Legally Trump is presumed to be “innocent” until proven guilty. The evidence will tell the tale. No matter what the outcome of this case, the public exposition of the evidence will be important.
    Let us hope the Georgia case is not far behind. Followed by the Jan 6th and stolen documents cases.
    This is the first time in his life that he has not been able to stall and use his lawyers to prevent justice. This case is different. He will explode .He will be calling for violence .
    The question is: How far will the cult go to support him?

    Liked by 6 people

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    2. Joyce Vance is a wise and knowledgeable former prosecutor whose reverence for the justice system is suffused with common sense and humanity. I always learn from her.

      Yes, Joseph; this is a first for Trump—as well as for our justice system. We must hope…

      Liked by 2 people

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  10. If there’s an afterlife, Andrew Johnson, William Henry Harrison, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and other onetime presidents must be smiling from the great beyond. They’ve all been pushed up a notch on the presidential rankings list, because many historians have rated Trump the worst president ever. The fact that this poor excuse for a human being was “elected” (fie on the electoral college) president is a national embarrassment. Here’s hoping that Trump will not be able to instigate another January 6-type demonstration.

    Liked by 6 people

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    1. A fine historical reference, Gail. As to the electoral college, “fie” indeed! But we’re probably stuck with it, so increasing the size of the voting public is essential.

      Unfortunately, there’s likely to be some violence. However, there appear to be fewer loyalists who are willing to risk jail for their now-fearful leader.

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. I’m old enough to remember the televised speech to the country given by Richard Nixon when he uttered the famous words “I am not a crook” (he was). So is Donald Trump, in an even bigger way.

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Far worse, he is a cross between a rabble -rouser and a MAGA action toy picked out of some political Walmart bargain bin by a disaffected and deluded Right.
      If he had political smarts he would have ducked out during the 2020 election , hid up in the hills and waited for a manufactured ‘call back’ so he could appear to have been ‘drafted’ into the presidential race.
      But no, this stupid creature answered to the call of the mob. That is another frightening factor ‘they’ the mob control him, and neither realise the devil’s contract they’ve entered into.

      Liked by 3 people

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      1. Roger, in the hope that Jack Smith will be able to indict him for fomenting the Insurrection, I wonder how he’ll respond to “intent.” Will he continue to say he won—even though so many insiders told him otherwise?

        Liked by 2 people

      2. The problem is Annie, those who support Trump, or to be precise use Trump as a figurehead are in that cult frame of mind and these is no arguing with them.
        Back in previous decades there was such a thing as a politician resigning in disgrace, since Trump and his folk do not subscribe to that, there is a bit of a log-jam.
        The only peaceful way to sort this out is for a mass-movement of US citizens of all kinds banding together in a movement of rejection of all who speak for Trump.
        Paradoxically such a movement would do well to study the methods of the NRA. It may sound a bit of a dirty war, but it is a question of winning back the USA.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. I’ve been saying we must change the culture re: guns, Roger. The NRA has been effective in getting us to this dreadful place; perhaps we need to study how they did it to reclaim our human values.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I agree Annie. It is a fact born out of History that to best an opposition with the upper hand it is necessary to study their ways and means. Understand both their strengths and weaknesses.

        Like

      1. Stir in a little time, dear lady. The fresh buffalo patty covered in flies will age gracefully under the gentle sun and turn into the buffalo chip that is Nixon suitable for burning.

        Like

  12. My hope? Trump is tried and convicted.
    Then Biden commutes his penalty, but leaves guilty finding in place — no pardon.
    Then Biden pardons Julian Asante.
    And Trump then gets tried and convicted of further crimes…

    Liked by 1 person

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    2. I don’t understand the rationale at all, J. As for Julian Assange, he was convicted in Australia. What Biden could do—is being asked to do—is to end prosecution and attempts to extradite him to US. There may be validity in doing that, but it has nothing to do with Trump.

      I think history has shown us Trump must be charged with whatever prosecutors deem defensible, indicted, and tried by a jury/juries of his peers. If convicted, he should be sentenced accordingly.

      Thanks for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. From the government indictment against Assange,for what it’s worth….

        5. Assange, who did not possess a security clearance or need to know, was not
        authorized to receive classified information of the United States.
        6. Between in or around January 2010 and May 2010, Manning downloaded four,
        nearly complete databases from departments and agencies of the United States. These databases
        contained approximately 90,000 Afghanistan war-related significant activity reports, 400,000 Iraq
        war-related significant activities reports, 800 Guantanamo Bay detainee assessment briefs, and
        250,000 U.S. Department of State cables. Many of these records were classified pursuant to
        Executive Order No. 13526 or its predecessor orders. Manning provided the records to agents of
        WikiLeaks so that WikiLeaks could publicly disclose them on its website. WikiLeaks publicly
        released the vast majority of the classified records on its website in 2010 and 201 I.
        7. On or about March 8, 2010, Assange agreed to assist Manning in cracking a
        password stored on United States Department of Defense computers connected to the Secret
        Internet Protocol Network, a United States government network used for classified documents and
        communications, as designated according to Executive Order No. 13526 or its predecessor orders. …..

        https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1153486/download

        Liked by 1 person

    3. In the NY case Trump is treated like any businessman who cheats . The media acts as though this is some “new”type of prosecution. Nothing further from the truth. In Manhattan they always go after financial crimes.
      Regarding Assange. I do believe he stole or publicized classified information from the dept of Defense. This would out risk spies and possibly other classified info about how the US collects info from Russia, etc. Also, it was the Trump administration, not Biden, who started the extradition process.
      Also, Biden has no power to pardon Trump for any state crimes. Only Governor Hochul could do that. Not likely.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Thanks for adding about pardons, Joseph. I sure hope that doesn’t become a viable concern, though!

        As for Assange, as TNYT appears to have partnered with him, his case has become viewed as an issue of free speech for journalists vs an overreaching Espionage Act. I would need to learn much more about it before I took a position.

        Like

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  16. I’m watching it now, but the charges haven’t yet been disclosed (not to the UK at least). It sounds like NY must be buzzing today with all the attention on the court house and Trump. It’s so surreal though, and seems (to me at least) to lose the sense of genuine impetus when it appears just to be a circus to nix the possibility of him becoming president again. I’m curious how it’ll go and what the charges are as some are speculating it’s just the Stormy payoff (which I don’t understand going to court like this, didn’t think that’d be eligible for such action at this point), and others think it must be far more…

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Hi , Caz. There won’t be much to see, I’m afraid. Won’t be just the Stormy payoff, for sure.

      Are you getting my messages, my friend?

      Word is there will be 34 FELONY counts relating to falsifying business records.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Pingback: Oh, the Irony: Trump’s Indictments Begin in New York! – drnumber9
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  21. Great read as always, Annie. From what I saw he was noticeably cowed whilst the procedural part was taking place, only coming out of his shell later at an event. I wonder if he really, truthfully thought this would ever get to a courtroom…

    On the downside, I think this will be quite an effective propaganda tool for his fundraising – I really hope not, though!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Hi, Matthew. How good to hear from you! Hope you’re all well.

      You’re right about the fundraising, and they claim there were numerous first time donors. The cowardly Republicans who despise him have been characteristically silent, with just a couple of exceptions.

      But longtime Trump-watchers say he’s terrified. I don’t think he ever did see himself indicted—and there’s surely more ahead.

      Our justice system will be tested and stressed by all this. Ever the worrying optimist, I think we’re headed for some rough seas before our ship of state is more firmly moored. (Those cliches came to mind bc when I think of you, I recall far more creative descriptions of water!)

      Liked by 1 person

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