All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[SquirrelMan]

I am sure all the Republicans who were russian, I'm sorry, rushing to give heightened security to Kavanaugh a few months ago will do the same for DA Bragg now?

Suspicious package with powdery white substance found at Manhattan DA’s office: police

[Mister Mets]

I keep hearing how significant numbers of Democrats don't want Biden to run for reelection in 2024. But I don't hear about any Democrats willing to run in his place. So how is Biden supposed to step down if no one else in his Party wants the job?

There's a difference between wanting to be President and being willing to run against an incumbent from your own party.

If Biden announces tomorrow that he's not going to seek another term, Kamala Harris will be the overwhelming favorite for the nomination, and there is the sense that she's unimpressive, that she is to Democrats what Mike Pence was to Republicans.

If Harris and Biden were to announce that neither will seek the presidential nomination, I suspect we'd quickly have a few major contenders. Under those circumstances, Elizabeth Warren, Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, Gretchen Whitmer, Amy Klobuchar and a few others would likely consider runs.

[Mister Mets]

Here’s a hypothetical situation: With the legal walls closing in on Trump and a possible indictment looming, would he throw Melania and/or the brats under the nearest Greyhound to save his orange ass, or would they roll over on him first if they fear being backstabbed?

Another hypothetical situation: A neighbor who hates Trump predicted he’ll flee the country rather than go on trial if he’s indicted. Could that scenario happen?

It depends on the case.

From what we know so far, the New York case is weak. The statute of limitations expired (there may be workarounds) and it requires funds to be used to cover up a felony, and in this case Trump had not been prosecuted for a felony (this was a violation of federal law so it would be up to the Justice Department to file felony charges; it's not essential for felony charges to be filed but it would be useful.) There is some precedent with the prosecution of John Edwards over a similar problem a few years back (he used campaign funds to hush up the mother of his child) although that ended in a hung jury.

https://www.factcheck.org/2023/03/qa...p-in-new-york/

It's possible that Bragg found something else, or that Trump is baited into something stupid. I think it would be hard to prosecute him for incitement, but his death & destruction comments are unhinged even for him. Grand jury investigations are really secretive, so the speculation could all end up being in the wrong direction.

The Fulton County case (investigating calls to Georgia officials to reject election results under what he knew to be pretext) is likely strongest. I don't think he believes the Justice Department would prosecute him for rhetoric regarding January 6, although it's really hard to imagine what this guy thinks. There is also the mishandling documents investigation.

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/23/11649...investigations

Not mentioned in the article is anything to do with E. Jean Caroll's rape allegations, although that's currently a civil trial (if anyone can prove he perjured himself, that would be easy ground for prosecutors.)

I don't see Trump fleeing the country, although I would personally be happy with that result. Where would he flee to?