Do you think, for one stinkin’ minute, that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, JD Vance, Rick Scott and the rest of the obsequious Republican “leaders” who went to Trump’s trial in New York ever, for one stinkin’ minute, attended a trial of anyone else? Ever showed moral support for a defendant who they believed was wrongly accused? Ever sponsored legislation to make it easier for ex-offenders to transition from prison into the workaday culture of America? Do you think that any of them, for one stinkin’ minute, ever showed sympathy for indigent defendants, the powerless, the marginalized?

Every one of them at some point has demonized immigrants or played along with Trump’s demonization of them as violent criminals. And yet, they turn up in the Manhattan courthouse to show support for the con man former president, a legally certified sexual predator.

And it wasn’t enough to just appear. Johnson went further, condemning the trial and further undermining faith in the justice system.

It is stunning — the Speaker of the House, third in succession to the presidency, denouncing this attempt by the Manhattan DA to assert the rule of law and convince a jury of Trump’s guilt. That is our due process system — innocent until proven guilty; a jury of your peers; the right to defense counsel, to face your accusers and cross-examine them; a judge who makes rulings during the trial and instructs the jury. Johnson and the Trump posse care not a whit that they might further undermine that system.

I started off by making the point that these Republican “leaders” likely had never taken up the cause of any other criminal defendant, perhaps have never even been in a courthouse. That was to make a point about their hypocrisy when, in fact, I do not want (as no American should) politicians anywhere near the criminal justice system — not for one stinkin’ minute — as it plays out in courthouses across the land. Unless, of course, they are defendants.

I don’t want to leave this on that note. To be clear: What Johnson and these repugnant, spineless Republicans are doing is sabotage. They are aiding an abetting Trump’s attempt to destroy democracy and the rule of law.

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Published by Dan Rodricks

Dan Rodricks is a former long-time columnist for The Baltimore Sun, winner of numerous national and regional journalism awards, a radio and TV personality, podcaster and fly angler. His narrative memoir, "Father's Day Creek," was published in May 2019 by Apprentice House at Loyola University Maryland.

12 thoughts on “The repugnant Republican posse in New York for the Trump trial”

  1. Let me see if I understand this. These “leaders” took the day off from doing the peoples, flew or drove to New York on the taxpayer’s dime to support a man who has done more damage to this country than anyone else and still get paid their salary to criticize the justice system? Wondering if Andy Harris was part of the group?

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  3. Totally agree! Unfortunately you are preaching to the choir.I will never understand the mind set of anyone who still supports this man.Please someone explain th to me WHY!

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  9. You are so right of course! It’s so appalling. Trump has gotten away with so much!! I pray that one of these trials results in a conviction! But what then?? Bloodshed in the streets?? What will it take for his worshippers to see the truth???

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  10. Amen and bravo, Mr Rodricks, this farce gets more alarming and hypocritical each day. Thank you for continuing to expose the theatre of the absurd. Ann T. Gallant

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  11. It is a sad state of affair— for this beautiful country, to be infiltrated with such evil, crude, insincere and God – less men who call themselves leaders! It is disheartening, that our society can no longer believe in our justice system, corruption is prevalent.
    How can our children and grandchildren have a faith in our judicial system?
    I pray to God that He will deliver us from EVIL!

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