Biden champions freedom & democracy while Trump promises revenge
The contrast between the sitting President of the United States and the convicted felon were on full display these past 2 weeks
These past couple of weeks belong in the record books.
A former President is convicted by a jury. That’s followed by the most disgraceful undermining of the rule of the law by the Speaker of the House and members of the Republican party. Instead of the Grand Old party, it’s now the Grand Old Putsch.
With Trump now officially a convicted felon, pundits went immediately to “what does this mean for the election?” I’m sorry. Let’s not do that right away. Let’s take a moment of awe.
Our criminal justice system has long and fairly been criticized as harsh on the least powerful in our country. For a long time, many wondered if the system could ever hold a powerful man like Donald Trump accountable. Then, twelve ordinary Americans did.
Despite what the liars will tell you, Mr. Trump’s lawyers approved each and every person that sat on the jury. This wasn’t an Indivisible meeting. It was regular New Yorkers, chosen at random and approved by the lawyers on both sides as fit for the task of weighing the evidence in the case. The state put on its case. Mr. Trump’s lawyers got to cross examine every witness. The defense put on its case. The jury listened to the evidence, given under oath. Then the verdict was read. Guilty, guilty, guilty. On each and every one of the 34 felony counts.
Whatever this means for November, it was the most consequential day for the rule of law. It was the day when Americans said loud and clear, no one is above the law.
That idea, equality before the law, it is the bedrock of a free society. But often in our history it has been more of a goal than a reality. We have all seen the rich and powerful get away with things while the poor and powerless are prosecuted. So, when twelve ordinary folks delivered accountability and a conviction in a case involving a former President, one of the nation’s most powerful men, well, that is real progress.
President Biden, first lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. Photo Credit: Evan Vucci/AP
Like many felons, Trump says he was unfairly prosecuted. He wasn’t. What is unfair, and deeply damaging are his promises of retribution, and the escalating appeals to state sanctioned partisan violence from Republicans. When the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the people’s house, stands outside a courtroom to claim some should be above the law, we must all condemn it.
I have written a lot about the myriad off-ramps Republicans have had. Opportunities to un-tether themselves from this madman who has caused such damage to our nation. But the lack of courage in the GOP is rivaled only by the emptiness of deep space. They will go down with him.
What’s important is that we do not allow them to take us down as well.
What else happened these past few weeks? Joe Biden made three huge foreign policy decisions. One tightens the border, another pushes Israel and Hamas towards peace, the third changes how American weapons can be used in Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. He did this while preparing to travel to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Whether you agree or disagree with these decisions, taken together they show an executive acting with vigor and clarity.
No wonder the Republican National Committee immediately released doctored videos to make Joe seem infirm. Really, that’s all they’ve got. We had another great jobs report. Wage growth continues. The economy is the envy of the world. America is seeing the greatest investment boom since anyone can remember. Investment in jobs. Investment in infrastructure. Investments in our future.
A few other things of note happened, too. Joe Biden did go to Normandy, and gave an impassioned speech about sacrifice, gratitude, the importance of alliances, and the need to recommit ourselves to the cause of human freedom.
Back home, Donald Trump, a convicted felon, rallied his supporters to fight for border policies that were in bipartisan legislation he killed. Two right wing Supreme Court Justices cleared themselves to participate in Trump related cases despite clear conflicts of interest that would force any judge in any other court to recuse. Republicans in the United States Senate voted against a bill that would keep contraception legal nationwide.
Two weeks for the record book, but in the end, the same old story: Democrats getting things done and Republicans lying, cheating, and promising vengeance.