Donald Trump is back into the news. He held a “Save America” rally in Conroe, Texas, last week. I was shocked when I read that he discussed pardoning those convicted of offenses related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. That comment was trumped when the defeated ex-president promised a nationwide protest if prosecutors did anything “illegal” in bringing justice to his companies, himself, or others involved in his businesses and public activities. In essence, he promised a second coup attempt. That’s newsworthy.
I decided I would write this week’s column about what Trump said and why it represents a new low for him. I assumed, wrongly, that his comments would be ignored by the mainstream press, with Democrats condemning him and most Republicans distancing themselves from his comments. I was wrong. These latest comments are sufficiently outrageous that Trump finds himself back at the top of the news. He’s receiving more press, albeit mostly negative, than Vladimir Putin or the Winter Olympics.
Trump’s rhetoric is getting progressively more direct. It is no longer necessary to analyze Trump’s comments to understand his motivation. Trump has become unambiguous about his short-term agenda—to avoid prosecution by intimidating those who would bring him to justice. The more puzzling question today, and the one more important to focus on, is not about who Trump is or what he’s up to, but about why anyone still supports him.
I reached my conclusion after reading that “the other John Dean,” Nixon’s one-time lawyer, described Trump’s statement that he would consider pardons for the January 6 insurrectionists if he were elected president in 2024, as “the stuff of dictators.” That’s strong language. Most of us hesitate to compare Trump to Hitler or even Mussolini.
Here’s what Trump said in Texas: “If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from January 6 fairly. We will treat them fairly, and if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons. Because they are being treated so unfairly.”
I guess dozens of Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and similar “patriots” have a new reason to not walk away from Trump even though the January 6, 2021, coup failed. Those “patriots” will be needed if Trump fulfills his promise to organize a nationwide “protest” if he gets prosecuted “unfairly.”
Did Trump really promise another protest? Yes. Trump knows he is about to be indicted. He told the crowd: “They’re trying to put me in jail. These prosecutors are vicious, horrible people. They’re racists and they’re very sick. They’re mentally sick…. If these radical, vicious, racist prosecutors do anything wrong or illegal, I hope we are going to have in this country the biggest protests we have ever had in Washington, D.C., in New York, in Atlanta and elsewhere.”
Let’s take a closer look at the statement. Is Trump saying that the prosecutors are after him and his allies because they are “racists?” Does he really believe they are “mentally sick?”
And what about the promise of the “biggest protest we have ever had” in Washington and other cities? To some that would be a reference to January 6. Given the near certainty that Trump will be indicted in Washington, New York, or Georgia, this is a chilling promise.
The not-so-subtle threat of more violence got the attention of some prominent Republicans. Governor Hogan, New Hampshire Governor Sununu, and even Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) condemned the comments. (Graham’s comments earned him a condemnation from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)).
It’s reassuring that some Republicans are pushing back on Trump, but what about those with now-fading Trump flags in their garages and who have been assuring the rest of us that Trump will run and win in 2024? Will these new Trump comments change their views of Trump? I want to think it will, but am I delusional? I must ask anyone not troubled by these new Trump comments a few questions:
Should those involved in the January 6 attack on the Capitol be held accountable and prosecuted? If convicted, should they be pardoned? What would a presidential pardon of January 6 insurrectionists say about the rule of law in the U.S.?
Is Senator Lindsey Graham wrong in suggesting that if the January 6 rioters and organizers are pardoned, the chance for more political violence increases?
If Donald Trump or persons working for him (including family members) engaged in tax and business fraud, should they be brought to justice? If not, why not?
Federal and State prosecutors are now working on indictments of Trump and others involved in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the attack on the Capitol, and tax and business fraud. Do you believe any of these prosecutors are motivated by race? Have you seen any signs that any of the prosecutors are mentally ill?
Given Trump’s recent and past behavior, and regardless of your opinion of President Biden and Democrats in general, is Donald Trump the best choice to head the Republican party?
America’s facing a difficult short-term future. We don’t need any more challenges. Isn’t it time for everyone-every patriotic American—to move past Trump and look for leaders who respect the rule of law and democracy?
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, birds, and other subjects.
deirdre LaMotte says
No mystery. A lot of smart, extremely wealthy people understand that their interest lies in blocking social legislation
they would have to pay for in taxes. They exploit the low cognitive ability of millions who rely on right wing media to “explain”
complex issues in emotive terms. You know, pizza parlors trafficking kids in WDC, threat of “socialism” and war on
whiteness. Keep people from understanding issues so the disparities can continue.
And these people, along with their low hanging citizens, support Trump because it is about political vengeance, culture wars and wanting a “strongman” to “save” white “Christian” America. All these wedge issues protects their economic
agenda. And boy, does Trump understand that.
John Dean says
Deirdre: As always, thank you for reading my article. I very much appreciate it.
Jill Poe says
Let the chips fall where they may. By the time the democrats( I use that term liberally) are finished we will be lucky if we are not speaking, Spanish or Russian, or inialated by Korea.
Charles Zvirman says
Care to elaborate?
Deirdre LaMotte says
Wow, your statement is a case in point that my response was about. Thank you for the verification.
What do your remarks have anything to do with the GOP thug subverting democracy? And I say this not loosely
but in all seriousness. Please don’t try and punt this
back on Democrats when we have a real psychopath
leading the GOP. Clean your own house and then maybe there can be dialogue.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece.
Foregive me–I’m not sure what your comment is. Some of us already speak Spanish or Russian. I’m also not sure what “inialated by Korea” means.
Stephen Schaare says
Mr. Dean, So good to see you back on course (obsession with Trump) after last week’s detour with Ukraine, way too complex for this forum.
C’mon, your “other John Dean” must be well into his nineties at this point.
I shall wrap right here. Please re-read your last sentence.
Yes, it is long past time for “everyone to move past Trump”. I believe that would include you, Sir. Thanks, Steve
Charles Barranco says
Steve,
As usual your facts lack validity. You really need to do a little research.
John Dean is 83, do the math, he was born in October 1938.
BTW, were you implying people in their 90s are brain dead?
Maybe it’s you who need the saliva test?
Oh, and I always find The Other Mr
J Dean to be informative, well written and on Point.
Charles Barranco
St Michaels
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Charles, My, you paint with such a “broad brush”. You opened the door, I shall walk through. I know three people in their nineties that can run circles around a certain “brain dead” 79 year old. Thank you for the kind words-Steve
John Dean says
Stephan: Thanks for reading the piece.
I think it’s time to move past Trump, but for the country to do that, those involved in the attempted coup need to be brought to justice. It appears that only hard proof–something like directing Rudy Guiliani to explore having DOD or another agency seize voting machines for the purpose of destroying evidence of Biden’s victory–will convince some of us that Trump was and remains a threat to the Constitution and democracy. When Trump is indicted for sedition, which I think may be coming, I will move on (after the trial, of course).
Stephen Schaare says
Thank you for your reply, Mr. Dean. Once again, you avoid the issue. Please seize this moment and take your own advice. Purge this “orange menace” from your mind. Press forward.
Charles Barranco says
Mr Schaare,
In the latest lawsuit filed against Trump, by Retired Lt Col Vindman , it’s apparent, Trump will be in the morning news often and frequently. So much for moving on from Trump in the near future.
As Mr Dean stated, the inditements are coming and I believe, coming very soon.
I won’t go into the numerous civil actions filed against him, or the investigations by the Atty Gen for NY, or Manhattan District Atty, or Georgia Election Board, or the Senate Sub Committee, to name a few, but rest assured Trump will be in the headlines every day till he absconds to a Third World Country or seeks citizenship with his good friend Putty.
BTW, exactly who is the mysterious 79 yr old you had in mind?
Charles
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Charles, That would, of course, be Joseph Robinette Biden Jr..
Also, you can bark at the moon about Jan 6 to your heart’s delight, the American voter does not care. Both the House and Senate will be returned to the GOP this November.
Steve
Thomas kicklighter says
Chaos in motion
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece.
I’m not sure whether you are referring to the January 6 Committee or to Trump and his actions.
Thomas kicklighter says
He is who he always was.
No surprises here.
Train wreck for all to see.
Incomprehensible.
Lyn Banghart says
Well written and well stated….I can only hope and pray that he does not get re-elected..
Lyn
John Dean says
Thank you for your kind words. I share your hope.
Paul Rybon says
Most of the rioters are still being held without charges. Is that legal? And yes, I believe that Biden, Pelosi, and the members of the committee are unbalanced,revengeful.maybe the reason no charges have been brought against Donald Trump after all this time, is because they have no grounds. Has the author considered any of that in his blind hatred?
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece. You have a different perspective, but please know that I am not subject to “blind hatred.” My concern about Donald Trump is based on the information I have seen about his activities, which appear to be criminal. I hope you will join me in keeping an open mind on the January 6 Committee as they move into public hearings.
Bob Parker says
Yes, the country should move past trump, but his insistence on pushing the big lie of a stolen, fraud-ridden 2020 election prevents such movement. While at some point the GOP and the country will move past trump, the real task is to move beyond trumpism. We need to move past politicians who believe lying is acceptable, who believe that rules/laws are for others, for “losers”,who believe that in politics self-aggrandizement and self-enrichment are the end goals. To do that, those in Congress who tacitly allowed the past and current behavior of trump to go unchecked must stand up and say what Pence said earlier this week that trump is wrong, that the “big lie” is just that, a lie. This must be said until those trump cultist realize that the Emperor indeed has no clothes.