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Will Trump Get a Get Out of Jail Free Card?

Published

1 year ago

June 21, 2023

The federal indictment of Donald Trump – the first federal indictment of a former president in U.S. history – poses the question. Trump’s enraged reaction – calling it the “greatest witch hunt of all time” and denouncing special counsel Jack Smith, a career prosecutor, as a “deranged lunatic” – makes the question unavoidable. Obviously, Trump deserves a fair trial, his guilt or innocence determined by a jury of his peers. But every candidate for president should be asked if they would pardon Donald Trump if they were president. As Gerald Ford proved when pardoning Richard Nixon, a presidential pardon can be issued before a trial, or even before formal charges are brought, so the question needn’t wait on the trial.

Whether Donald Trump is found guilty or not (it will only take one juror in his upcoming Miami trial to produce a hung jury), the charges in the indictment are serious, and the facts alleged describe clear violations of the law. The president took classified documents that did not belong to him. These included truly consequential secrets – “information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries, U.S. nuclear programs … and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.” Trump shared classified information with guests who did not have security clearances, essentially crowing about his possession of them. When the National Archives and the Department of Justice sought return of the documents, Trump hatched efforts to hide some of them, even after he was issued a federal subpoena – a legal demand – that he returns them. He lied to federal officials, and even deceived his own attorney. As Bill Barr, Trump’s former attorney general, stated, “there is no excuse for what he (Trump) did here.”

Anyone running for office must decide whether to stand with Trump and accuse the Justice Department of being “weaponized” or stand for the principle that no man is above the law, and the law should be applied to the powerful and the powerless alike.

The leading Trump challenger in the Republican Party, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, reacted to the indictment by charging that the “weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society.” Former Vice President Mike Pence tried to have it both ways, comparing the indictment to the way a “third-world nation” would use criminal charges to attack their opponents, while saying that it is imperative that the law be enforced even-handedly and demonstrate that no man is above the law. Similarly, Sen. Tim Scott tried to straddle, saying the charges were a “serious, serious challenge” to Trump, but denouncing the DOJ as “weaponized” against Trump.

Sadly, the only Republican contenders to criticize Trump are those that run lowest in the early polls. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson called on Trump to withdraw from the race, and urged the Republican National Committee to revise the requirement that any Republican participating in the debates pledge to support the party’s eventual nominee by excluding anyone found guilty of espionage or a felony. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie called Trump’s perils “self-inflicted,” dismissing the attack on the independent special counsel.

Trump, of course, is free to run for president while under indictment or even from prison if he is found guilty. In 1920, Eugene Victor Debs ran for president while jailed for opposing World War I, garnering 900,000 votes as the Socialist Party candidate. Trump and his supporters now are promising violent “retribution.” Kari Lake, the failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate, addressed the Georgia Republican Party convention, warning the prosecutor, the attorney general and President Biden that “if you want to get to President Trump (sic), you are going to have to go through me and … through 75 million Americans just like me. And …Most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA. That’s not a threat,” she said, “That’s a public service announcement.”

That rhetoric will grow ever more heated as the prosecution proceeds – and as seems likely, if Trump is indicted in Georgia for trying to overturn an election and in Washington for his complicity in the sacking of the Capitol on January 6. So, it is incumbent on those who seek the presidency to be clear about where they stand. Do they stand with the proposition that no man is above the law, or would they give Donald Trump a pass? Will they support the criminal justice system – whatever the verdict – or will they offer Trump a pardon? Trump, of course, has made it clear he would pardon himself. Where do the other contenders for the presidency stand on that?

Many issues will be debated in the presidential race – the economy, abortion, guns, the “war on woke,” Ukraine, catastrophic climate change, the right to vote and more. One central issue is posed by Trump’s vicious attack on the Justice Department, and the independent special counsel. Americans have the right to know: Would contenders for the presidency allow the criminal justice process to proceed or would they issue Trump a get out of jail free card?

The post Will Trump Get a Get Out of Jail Free Card? appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Will Trump Get a Get Out of Jail Free Card? first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Forward Times Staff

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org