It’s a big day as twice-impeached former President Donald Trump is indicted and arrested for the second time. What can I add to 24-hour news coverage? Here’s my take: I am reading David Pepper’s excellent new book Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual for Every American. One of Pepper’s main points is that saving democracy requires “our team” of progressives to stop just playing defense, and go onto offense. I could not agree more, and I say that as someone who is naturally more “defensive” and needs to work on this myself. I am eager to talk about this book with others—it would be a great read for groups like Lillian’s List, Neighbors on Call, County to County, The January 6 Project, county Democratic parties, MomsRising, or Moral Mondays to read together and discuss.
I will apply Pepper’s concept to how we talk about the grave new crimes that Trump has been alleged to have committed. I read the entire indictment and it’s a doozy—you should definitely read it too, or listen to Ali Velshi reading it. I am frustrated by how this case is being shorthanded as the “classified documents” case (subhead on WaPo right now, among other ubiquitous examples) and I suggest we go on offense with our messaging. Why not call it the Trump Espionage case instead? Trump accused of stealing national secrets. Trump accused of putting the nation at risk.
This case is not just about boxes or documents, it is about national security, secrets that keep our citizens, military, spies, and country safe. Trump has NO respect for our national security secrets. He stole them, left them strewn about a known target for spies, and who knows what else. Did he sell or trade them for his personal power and financial benefit? Does anyone doubt he is capable of doing so? (See, LIV golf at Trump’s Bedminster Club, and so much more.)
These photos speak volumes. Here’s how much Trump cares about the safety of you, your family, your kids—our whole country:
Trump cares not at all. He left our national defense secrets spilled out on a floor of his Mar-A-Lago Club. Piled high in a tacky bathroom with a window. On a stage in a ballroom. Near the liquor storage room, near the pool. And more.
In my opinion, the obvious, clear evidence is that Trump is a career criminal who only cares about himself. His Covid response showed that he really doesn’t care whether you and your elders and kids live or die. He is a proudly self-professed sexual assaulter (Access Hollywood tape) who has recently been found responsible for sexual abuse in civil court. He committed acts of self-dealing while President that were clearly unconstitutional but were not stopped. His family enriched themselves to the tune of billions of dollars (Kushner and Saudis).
What more do we need to know about this man? He is dangerous. He should never have been President for a single day, much less run for re-election, much less running a third time. Republicans had so many chances to end Trump’s reign, including the Impeachment AFTER the January 6 Insurrection. They wish he would go away but don’t want to do anything to make that happen, which makes them cowards. This is a huge abdication of responsibility that should worry us all, as you can see today with Republicans like Nikki Haley saying she would pardon Trump if she were President—how can she say that before even seeing what the trial reveals? So much for respecting the Rule of Law, which is alive by a thread thanks to Jack Smith.
It us up to the rest of us: Democrats, Independents, undecideds, historical non-voters, new young voters, to call for change and make it happen through raising our voices, protests, and fair & inclusive elections.
We are not going to change the minds of people who are still with Trump after January 6, but we should speak out strongly about what a danger he is. Plenty of people don’t have an opinion, or are too busy with their daily lives (often for good reason!) to get wrapped up in all this. Many people have been discouraged, ignored, and marginalized. It is on us to change that, to reach out and involve more people, genuinely and consistently.
For those of us who are Never Trump, who want to see the rule of law continue to work through a legitimate trial, say so! Don’t let the folks in your life go unchallenged when they say “the whole system is corrupt,” or “both sides are bad, I’m just not going to vote.” Keep telling them that Democracy is on the line and their voice and choice matters! Republicans are full-steam ahead on voter suppression, here in North Carolina and across the USA. Trump’s former lawyer Cleta Mitchell is working in NC now, pushing for new voter suppression laws which may very well pass:
Team Voter Suppression is counting on us being discouraged, apathetic, disgusted. I know at times I have those feelings, but I get past them and keep trying. It is the only path forward.
So let’s go on offense, and give Traitor Trump the hard time he deserves.