Donald Trump is finally being held accountable for all the crap he has done over the many decades of his inglorious life. And it is just the beginning. I was surprised by the verdict. I did not expect a guilty verdict on all counts. I was prepared for a hung jury. The antithesis attributed to poet activist Maya Angelou, “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” best described my sentiments. It seemed there was too much ambiguity surrounding the proceedings. I thought a hung jury was probable, and the best-case scenario would be a guilty verdict on several counts. Hell, I would have taken one count.
However, when I learned about the jury’s request for specific instructions on the legal aspects of the case, I began thinking that this might not go well for the ex-president. When the verdict came in as quickly as it did, I knew this would be a decisive decision by 12 vetted jurors. I was stunned, however, when Trump was convicted on all 34 felony counts. Democracy had dodged a bullet. Had there been a hung, or less likely but possibly they voted to acquit him, we would be in for a long stretch of gloating by the MAGA crowd about how justice had prevailed and their martyr had escaped the evil machinations of President Biden’s weaponization of the justice system.
Instead, Republican lawmakers rushed to condemn the verdict and castigated the American system of jurisprudence as partisan and corrupt because it was operating in a venue controlled by Democrats. Are they suggesting that only Republicans can be fair? The hypocrisy is jaw-dropping. Here they are rushing shamelessly to be obsequious to a convicted felon who promises to be a dictator on day one of his next term if elected, who will lock up his political opponents. Social workers know this as projection—attributing your characteristics to others.
In researching for an article on democracy and diversity, I learned of the Constitution framers’ obsession with populism’s threat to democracy when led by bad actors. They knew for democracy to last, the American people must maintain faith in the rule of law and the justice system. We witnessed Trump’s incessant attacks on the judicial system and the mainstream media during the four years of his presidency, the two institutions that are vital to the health of democracy. We watched as congressional Republicans tolerated his outbursts. However, to see them fall over each other to condemn American jurisprudence is embarrassing as the world looks on.
Most disturbing was the MAGA crowd’s attacks on the jury. According to media reports, the jury was diverse. A couple of jurors reported getting most of their news from Fox News and Trump’s Truth Social platform. Trump’s defense team helped vet the jury. Their entire strategy was not to confirm their client’s alleged innocence but to cast doubt on any and all aspects of the trial. They only needed one juror with enough reasonable doubt to get a hung jury. The identities of the 12 jurors were disclosed only to the opposing attorneys. Judge Juan Merchan prevented others from knowing who they were, something done in the trials of organized crime figures to protect them from intimidation and harm. Trump lashed out at them following the verdict. They may need further protection in the wake of their verdict.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, the second in line for the presidency if anything were to happen to President Biden and next up if anything befalls both Biden and Vice President Harris, showed up at the trial on numerous occasions to cast aspersion on Judge Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg and intimidate the jury as much as possible. His comments following the trial can only be described as reprehensible. He wants the Supreme Court to overturn the guilty verdicts. The diminutive lawmaker—I know it is impolite to make fun of someone’s height—but he is showing himself to be a really little man.
I believe we dodged a bullet with Donald Trump’s conviction. An acquittal would have emboldened the MAGA crowd and demoralized supporters of democracy. It will not save democracy, but it is a definitive statement that no one is above the law. There will be injustice; some will escape accountability, but in the end, justice will prevail most of the time under fair circumstances. This is no time for celebration; we certainly cannot let up in our fight to preserve and strengthen democracy. Trump has three more days of reckoning ahead if voters do not return him to the White House. The Supreme Court may assist him by giving him limited immunity. However, many thought this indictment was the weakest of the four.