General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Trump will never be locked up.
The American Oligarchs, the famous, the rich, and the powerful can not allow Trump to be jailed. As the justice system stands now, they are basically immune from laws that govern the rest of us. If Trump, the former President, can go to jail for crimes committed, that that means that they are also in jeopardy of the people's justice. They can never allow that to happen. Trump has know that all along, thus his statement about shooting someone on 5th Ave. The rest of the wealthy know the same thing, they are just too polite to say it in public.
We are getting all of this "feel good" news about poor old Trump's legal problems. He will never face a problem that he can not pay his way out of. If he can't afford to buy his way out of trouble, someone else will as a matter of self preservation. This country is all pay to pay. People get all the justice that they can afford. It is our system. It will remain our system as long as elections are bought and sold by big money.

WarGamer
(16,944 posts)I have only ONE misgiving.
I think it will open the door for vengeful "Witch Hunts" in the future.
Will a future Congress (2023, 2025?) open Congressional hearings on Hillary, or Hunter or Obama or Joe or Lord knows what?? After all... former POTUS papers can be released by the next administration, right?
Justice is waiting for Trump... but it's going to set an ugly precedent.
Having said that... I'm still in favor of prosecution if a fool-proof case can be made to a Jury of Trump's peers which probably means a Jury consultant getting 6 Trump voters on a Jury.
Chainfire
(17,757 posts)WarGamer
(16,944 posts)SoCalDavidS
(10,599 posts)He is going to escape ALL accountability. Even the appearance of accountability, meaning any sort of legitimate prosecution.
area51
(12,282 posts)Haggard Celine
(17,141 posts)he is entitled to Secret Service protect for the rest of his life. I can see him put under house arrest, where he can be easily looked after, but it would be difficult to guard him in prison all of the time. I would.be satisfied if he were confined to Maga Lardo and prohibited from golfing.
WarGamer
(16,944 posts)Convincing 12 of Trump's peers that he's guilty.
You think the Jury consultant won't get 6 Trump voters on the Jury?
Chainfire
(17,757 posts)Trump may end up having to pay a pile of fines, but that will be the limit of his "punishment" for the crimes he has committed.
Bernardo de La Paz
(54,750 posts)Irish_Dem
(68,235 posts)Too many white supremacy, racist people in the US.
WarGamer
(16,944 posts)We're in this weird cultural scenario like a neighborhood in Jersey where half the street wears Yankee jerseys and the other half wears Mets jerseys... completely bifurcated.
Irish_Dem
(68,235 posts)Just like the GOP wants.
electric_blue68
(20,872 posts)that sounds funny (that NJ town)!
As a Very Northern Mahattanite we were pretty close to Yankee Stadium. My closest to us Uncle was a Yankees fan. So I was a Yankees fan bc I like/d sports.
But over several years of Mad Magazine making
merciless fun of Casey Stengle, and The Mets I became a Mets fan. I retain fondness for the Yanks (but not the steroid cheaters).
I'm happy when either team makes it to the Play offs, and WS
But for the At Home Subway Series I cheer for The Mets.
👍
When I lived in Brooklyn I happened upon (as I heading some where) a plaque denoting where The Brooklyn Dodgers played. ( before my time)
Bernardo de La Paz
(54,750 posts)They would just love being together for some extended quality time, right?
electric_blue68
(20,872 posts)Last edited Sat Feb 19, 2022, 10:52 PM - Edit history (1)
Yeah, it's a semi cushy prison as prisons go.
But for me not being able to go anywhere else would drive me half batty, or more! Gaaaaaah! 😄
And it's not the luxury he's been used to living.
Is there a putting green at CF?
Irish_Dem
(68,235 posts)To send a message to future aiders and abetters to POTUS crimes.
To hopefully avoid such a wide spread and deep group of POTUS co-conspirators.
Emile
(34,077 posts)President to serve a prison term.
jimfields33
(19,382 posts)Emile
(34,077 posts)to prison we will lose the house?
MyOwnPeace
(17,294 posts)we don't keep the House there's a very likely chance that all inquiry and committee action re: Jan. 6 will stop. You KNOW the republiQans don't want to investigate themselves........
Kingofalldems
(39,521 posts)jimfields33
(19,382 posts)Try again please.
dem4decades
(12,640 posts)I'm so sick of his lack of action I can spit.
ificandream
(11,116 posts)... and I think Garland is playing it low until he's ready to strike. Not that that might influence him, but you realize how the right-wing media would react if they knew Garland was after him? Everyone is playing it low. But with the headlines we're seeing each day, I think something will happen. Maybe not tomorrow, but in the future -- and before Biden's term ends.
dem4decades
(12,640 posts)done.
ificandream
(11,116 posts)The new headlines almost on a daily basis are a good indication that he's in deep shit. Most of us here (at DU) think that with the way he's escaped things so far he'll escape this. I hope that's not true, but given the stuff in New York and Washington, between the two I think his goose is frying. As the Wicked Witch of the West told Dorothy, "All in good time..."
monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)Silent3
(15,909 posts)...and it's already too late for that most likely. The bad news and intra-Republican backstabbing that prosecutions and convictions would be setting off is needed NOW, before Republicans can further entrench power in November. If we aren't saved from Republicans getting the House in November, and further taking over elections at the state and local level around the country, our democracy could well be beyond saving.
Anything DoJ might do after that will be too little too late.
Mr. Ected
(9,691 posts)The founders' experiment never stood a chance.
It took society 240 years to become crass enough to see it brought to its death throes.
I_UndergroundPanther
(13,048 posts)Saying what would you put in its place?
Well there are options being thought out but they will not see it. They pooh pooh it,I wonder why?
Somebody too comfortable to question or even think of alternatives? Much less even try it.
There's alot of people like this in this country .
Mr. Ected
(9,691 posts)But our monied interests will never capitulate to a watering down of a raw capitalistic system, nor will our population ever care as much about the society they live in as they do about themselves as individuals. They're simply not that evolved.
I_UndergroundPanther
(13,048 posts)Every one of our lives would be better,more secure and more free.
Mr. Ected
(9,691 posts)They've been brainwashed and misdirected and manipulated by the very same monied interests that won't ever permit us to have nice things.
I_UndergroundPanther
(13,048 posts)I have a feeling eventually they will lose those nice things because other people want to survive too.
Mr. Ected
(9,691 posts)But instead mankind is doomed to destroy itself by carelessness and indifference, greed and apathy.
electric_blue68
(20,872 posts)and do find it's an interesting, and positive system.
I reject laizze faire Capitalism, some one mentioned another form of extremely nasty Capitalism in a different thread, which has suddenly slipped my mind.
Thom Hartman back on (rip) Air America talked about FDR's second (or economic) Bill of Rights.
It's fascinatng! ( 1- unfortunately he died, 2- it may not have applied to BPOC).
Check it out. 👍
Quemado
(1,262 posts)When you fail (yes, you, Merrick Garland - I am calling you out) to indict someone who has committed numerous crimes over the past 5 years, let alone most of his adult life, you create someone who is above the law. It is setting a precedent that leads to the decline of the country, and weakens the rule of law.
Merrick Garland's failure is fairly comparable to Neville Chamberlain's placating of Hitler. A giant failure. One that will become legendary, as the authoritarians who will eventually take over will not permit to be printed in history books.
I cannot prove it, but I believe that the failure to indict Trump may be tied to the super-rich in this country who have successfully bought off the right people to prevent the indictment.
dem4decades
(12,640 posts)after Garland shows me some sign of an investigation. Probably not popular around here but that's my position now.
I_UndergroundPanther
(13,048 posts)Thats why the super rich must not be allowed to amass that kind of wealth. They are thieves.
monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)usonian
(17,144 posts)It's all about the ego.
I predict a seastading island where he can write his own laws, like he tried to do here. And take a cadre of chumps with him to pay the bills.
Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)mzmolly
(52,104 posts)was wealthy. ... I continue to hope.
gab13by13
(27,717 posts)he had the goods on more powerful people.
Reminds me of the Mad Magazine cartoon. Skinny guy takes his girl to the beach, muscle bound guy kicks sand in his face. Skinny guy takes a Charles Atlas body building course and buffs up. He takes his girl to the beach and a humongous muscle bound guy kicks sand in his face.
MyOwnPeace
(17,294 posts)Wasn't Don Martin the cartoonist?
And YES, that WAS a great TRUE LIFE lesson!
mzmolly
(52,104 posts)And, he was jailed.
bucolic_frolic
(49,825 posts)It's what we do to deposed rulers. Ask Baby Doc.
If you put Trump in jail, every future Democratic president will have similar destiny.
NullTuples
(6,017 posts)However, the memo also says that after impeachment proceedings in the House have concluded - win or lose & regardless of what the Senate might do - they can then move forward with criminal investigations and prosecution.
Strangely, that second half never happened.
Either time.
gab13by13
(27,717 posts)named Nixon as an unindicted co-conspirator. When Nixon resigned and wasn't indicted the members of the grand jury were pissed, they felt there was enough evidence to convict Nixon. That memo has yet to be challenged, and with this fascist SC forget it.
Chainfire
(17,757 posts)Apparently, the greatest generation died off before those of us left learned how to govern. It is my generation's (boomer) fault. We had it so easy that we forgot that we had to nurture our democracy, it became infected with evil, and now, no one knows the cure.
Nixon was on his way out, the easy way or the hard way and he knew it. The people were mad as hell when they found out what a crook he was. Now nearly half of the people in the country think that the crook is some kind of outlaw hero; a real Robbin Hood or Jessie James of politics. A man who finally promotes racism, misogyny, hate, fear, greed and an unlimited lust for power to the mainstream of our fair nation. His followers are relishing in the message and think it is about damn time they had a turn.
Perhaps, after we go through a bout of Fascism, a financial depression, and a major war the survivors will remember what government is for and grow a new respect for things like truth and justice and Democracy. Unfortunately, the major war will probably be fought between New York and Los Angles, Miami and Anchorage, and there will be a lot of people who are not around for the renaissance.
We beat the hell out of Donald Trump, (with cause) but he is only a symptom, a poster boy, of the evil that is growing up around us. If Trump choked to death on a chicken bone tonight, it would not return stability to the country. If we convict and sentence him to prison (the right thing to do) he will be a martyr for the Nazi bastards to focus on.
This country is full of mean-ass people today, they think that it is their turn to rule the rest of us, and they would just as soon kill you as not.
Joe Nation
(1,085 posts)If it actually came to the point where there was no choice but to find Trump or any wealthy person guilty, they would stroke out, get pardoned, or get off on some technicality. Trump will never see the inside of a jail cell. I don't care what they find him guilty of, you will never see Trump in a richly deserved orange jump suit.
flying_wahini
(8,054 posts)That Trump is widely regarded as One of Them. All the wrongs hes done May rise up to bite him on the ass. Karma is a bitch.
Ford_Prefect
(8,339 posts)A whole lot of people sleep much easier now that he is gone. But we do not know who his customers and fellow travelers were.
DJT has a wide and extensive paper trail along with many fellow travelers ready, willing, and able to roll over on him. He's going to set a record for how many lawsuits are tied to his name. The GOP and their rich enablers are very worried about the fallout from this, as they should be. This is NOT Hollywood and the bad guy hasn't got leverage to use. He's also out of his mind.
Chainfire
(17,757 posts)Ford_Prefect
(8,339 posts)DJT is quite the opposite. Much of what he did was in public view and many of the records are available, along with a large number of witnesses. The people he could shield are already talking to investigators and prosecutors. I agree that the Dark Money crowd may have influence and sufficient exposure to make a silent DJT very useful. On the other hand, we have a different administration in Washington now and different pans in the fire.
EmeraldCoaster
(134 posts)Bookit.
Roy Rolling
(7,275 posts)Trump is approaching 80 years old, and been involved with questionable activities for half a century. Too late for the false satisfaction of justice being served, the damage hes caused to millions and 900,000 deaths from Coronavirus are the score for his presidency. The legal system has failed if it has taken 50 years to have him account for his crimes.
They lost.
How they un-ring that bell of non-prosecution I dont know, but I still would welcome it.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Along with his 3 oldest children who have been accomplices since they could walk. It just amazes me that someone so stupid, incompetent and despicable has gotten away with so much for so long.
It is so bizarre that someone like him has gotten away with the crimes he has. He has not only never been caught up with by LE, but has never been taken to task by organized crime. I am sure he has screwed over plenty of people in that sector as well. How has such a lying, cheating, unlikable, moron managed to be so effing lucky in life. I am completely baffled.
It will always be one of the great mysteries of the world. I swear, he has made a pact with the actual devil, whom I never really belived in until now.
Meowmee
(8,610 posts)He has been involved with oc and Russian mobsters for years, they and others bailed him out after several bankruptcies. His fathers biz was also part of all of that.
SleeplessinSoCal
(10,041 posts)ashredux
(2,720 posts)monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)a damn spy would be locked up & had their first hearing by now ! sick of this shit !
Shellback Squid
(9,326 posts)Septua
(2,755 posts)10 Richest People In Prison
https://www.thetalko.com/richest-people-prison-crime-committed/
I'm waiting on Garland to fulfill his pledge that no one is above the law. But the NY and GA AGs may get him before Garland.
emulatorloo
(45,765 posts)Chainfire
(17,757 posts)The day that Trump is booked, photographed and fingerprinted, I will make a point of begging your pardon. I won't even wait for a trial. How is that?
So far, the facts are on my side. Trump is a crook and he is living in a mansion in Florida, under government protection, where he is free to travel, recruit, graft and continue lawbreaking. I don't need a crystal bail to see that.
Even with the gloom and doom, I hope that you are right and that I am wrong, for my ego is not as strong as my sense of justice.
L. Coyote
(51,134 posts)Albeit, I admit I got as far as the first word of liner two.
Don't say you weren't warned!
Doodley
(10,749 posts)gets to the bastard.
Septua
(2,755 posts)..Trump and all those complicit in the attempted coup have to go down for the crime, some way, some how. Shady business practices are one thing but attempting to nullify the results of an election and take command of and control over, the country is not legal, is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated to any degree, in any form.
Regardless what you call the crime, regardless the intricacy in proving intent, regardless the absence of precedent, regardless public opinion, regardless threats of a civil war, regardless the time necessary to build the case, Trump and accomplices are fucking treasonous criminals and must be indicted.
There is simply no other option or alternative action to consider and everybody knows it.
Silent3
(15,909 posts)were going to save it.
CaptainTruth
(7,549 posts)...for war crimes.
When the Bush/Cheney administration ended I said that as long as they walked free there would be no true justice in America.
That was many years ago ... & with the Trump regime, I've been feeling like I'm having deja vu all over again.
electric_blue68
(20,872 posts)There's certainly people in all the groups you delineated that find him just awful!
We'll see...one way, or another at some point.
Skittles
(163,423 posts)he is THE biggest example of rich white male privilege in my lifetime
Meowmee
(8,610 posts)Lets hope it comes to him sooner than later.
brooklynite
(96,882 posts)BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Ive got money on it.
I will be happy to lose that bet.
Meowmee
(8,610 posts)634-5789
(4,449 posts)msfiddlestix
(8,034 posts).... thus far.
The wealthy oligarchs will not allow this to occur. they will do whatever it takes to keep the status quo in place.