General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSomething to consider; If Trump is indicted, which one of these choices would he fear most.
Remember, we are dealing with a narcissist. He does not think normally.
Would Trumps fear of going to trial cause him to seek a plea deal, admit guilt? Or would his fear of admitting guilt cause him to go to trial?
I can see a scenario where Garland indicts Trumps inner circle first. All of us, including Trump would see the crimes they are being charged with. It is fair to say they could be charged with multiple felonies. Seeing these charges Trump would freak out. He would have to worry some of his inner circle would turn on him. He would know if he is indicted he would be in serious trouble.
Trump has a long history of fighting charges against him until he sees he can't win, then he makes a deal to get out of it.
We know Trump has a fear of going to trial. In his warped mind going to trial would make him look bad and that is something that terrifies Trump. He would also risk being convicted which also terrifies him.
We also know Trump fears admitting that he is wrong, guilty, of anything. He thinks it makes him look weak, which also terrifies him.
In my opinion, I believe Trump would attempt to make a deal, plea bargain. A Trump trial would be a freak show. All of us want Trump to go on trial, be convicted and sent to prison for the rest of his life. Would Trump risk that possibility by going to trial?
2naSalit
(86,841 posts)But I don't think plea bargains are an option for treason.
Tetrachloride
(7,877 posts)Initially, prosecutors should resist deals where Trump doesnt do a public deposition.
Jail , jail, jail in multiple jurisdictions.
2naSalit
(86,841 posts)He has to suffer publicly.
Anything less is unacceptable. If he doesn't face us, which is the worst thing in the world in his mind, he gets away with everything.
fightforfreedom
(4,913 posts)One way or another this is going to be historic.
multigraincracker
(32,736 posts)he moved. I can see him sneaking across a boarder.
fightforfreedom
(4,913 posts)NanceGreggs
(27,820 posts)He'll then go to his grave claiming that he had no choice, because he would never have been given a fair trial.
He'll also go to his grave still claiming that he won the 2020 election by hundreds of millions of votes ...
Trueblue Texan
(2,447 posts)A freak show wouldn't bother Trump and if he even makes it to trial, he could bug out of the country before anyone gets a chance to indict him. I don't see him trying to plea to anything that will force him to spend time behind bars. That won't happen, I feel certain of that. If he can buy his way out of a prison sentence, he could possibly opt for that. He will probably consider trying leave the country to hide out. Of course, that will be hard on him because he'll have to live without an audience, which will be like prison to him. I think he's arrogant enough to stand trial and delude himself into thinking he'll testify at his own trial and charm the judge, jury and the public out of a conviction. He definitely won't mind the spectacle of a trial. So yeah. I think he'll opt for a trial if he can't plea out of a prison sentence. It will be a freak show, for sure and his supporters will love it.
Tetrachloride
(7,877 posts)1. I foresee no practical way for Trump to leave the US. Anybody who enables this is under immediate investigation.
2. Trump will be confronted for the buffoon conman that he is.
Maine Abu El Banat
(3,479 posts)Running that stupid fucking mouth day after day. Witch hunt, perfect call. Hes so fucking stupid he can't think of new material. I think he would consider execution if it was televised in prime time, on all major networks
bucolic_frolic
(43,364 posts)They were losers and got a raw deal, he had nothing to do with any of it
Novara
(5,857 posts)... thinking there's no way he could lose. He thought that of the presidency and refused to accept Biden beat him. You guys really think he'd admit guilt and plead out?
He will never admit guilt and plead out. He will never voluntarily go quietly. He will double down. And if he ever gets to a trial - a bench trial or a jury trial (I don't know if it has to be one or the other), he will set his criminal enterprise in motion to corrupt those who would be making a verdict. Expect jury tampering, bribes, extortion, etc., because he refuses to play by the rules and he will make sure he can't lose.
I just can't see someone like him cutting a deal, because deals involve admitting guilt and the deal would likely include never running again. Unless it's pleading guilty for seditious conspiracy, which means he automatically is ineligible ever to run again. But I don't see that happening.
gab13by13
(21,440 posts)Don't we already know the crimes they all committed?
A more realistic scenario is what is happening in Fulton county, Georgia. Fani Willis isn't playing the delay-delay game, she is going for the head of the snake and with that said her special grand jury doesn't have the power to indict but it is gathering evidence and will issue a report, then it will be up to Fani whether to indict Trump or not. At least we know that she is investigating Trump and she isn't an institutionalist.
I suspect that Trump is most interested in that special grand jury in Georgia.
Novara
(5,857 posts)Sorry, it's been bugging me to see her name misspelled.
And I do believe she will get him. The evidence is so clear. I don't know if any of you took the time to read the transcript of that call, but he was fucking relentless.
gab13by13
(21,440 posts)no_hypocrisy
(46,234 posts)Trump fears losing his wealth and his status. He doesnt believe hell go to jail.
But take away his assets, his properties, his status S a billionaire, his influence and he becomes what he abhors the most: Being seen as a loser without a comeback.
Vinca
(50,318 posts)Don't attack me for just posting a thought, but . . . if Trump is charged with a federal crime, I wonder if Biden would consider pardoning him the way Jerry Ford did Nixon. He's such a proponent of "bringing the country together," yada, yada, yada, it wouldn't be out of character. And he might view it as a way to preserve the office of the presidency. I hope to hell this is just a random, crazy thing that entered my mind, but there it is.
gab13by13
(21,440 posts)to issue any pardons for Trump. No way a Trump trial happens before that unless it happens in Georgia, and that's a state crime.
Vinca
(50,318 posts)That said, my hopes and dreams are in the state of Georgia. I think there's a very good chance he's indicted there. Can Kemp issue a pardon as governor? Wonder if he would, given the attacks by the wannabe king against him.
gab13by13
(21,440 posts)get Trump to show up at the courthouse, if DOJ decides to indict him?
Walleye
(31,081 posts)gab13by13
(21,440 posts)and rooting for the NY AG.
My faith is with strong, fearless state prosecutors.
Walleye
(31,081 posts)Novara
(5,857 posts)Fani Willis and Letitia James are my heroes.
viva la
(3,332 posts)Sue, countersue, get continuances, dodge subpoenas, file useless briefs.
If so, I hope they at least confine him to Maralago so he can't go around having rallies.
gab13by13
(21,440 posts)look at Steve Bannon, he was indicted and is awaiting trial next month and he hasn't missed a beat spreading the Big Lie on his pod cast.
Just A Box Of Rain
(5,104 posts)He'd take his chances on the need for a unanimous jury of 12. It would only take one MAGAt to hang a jury.
As a sociopath with narcissistic tendencies (the latter being an understatement) he feels no guilt or sense of contrition and will not admit to wrongdoing.
Novara
(5,857 posts)I did some research. It's up to the defendant whether to choose a bench trial or a jury trial, on the advice of their lawyers. I am sure he'd go for a jury trial because he assumes he can get at least one supporter to muck things up. His chances of being acquitted are probably better with a jury trial. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if he uses bribery and/or extortion of jurors to get his desired result.
fescuerescue
(4,448 posts)I'm Still wondering.
LakeArenal
(28,858 posts)Every bite might be poisoned.
global1
(25,285 posts)He'd follow Nixon's lead and he'd tell us he'll resign his presidency. (sarcasm)
usonian
(9,916 posts)Last edited Mon Jun 20, 2022, 11:51 AM - Edit history (1)
He appeals, appeals, appeals up to (you guessed it) the USSC. Not going to speculate on that.
In the meantime, just to apply pressure, small groups or individuals flying under the radar, commit random acts of violence. Sounds like 1938? It's happening now. His organized gangs are "tied up" so he uses what he controls: Fox News, random zombies, various legislators, and said court. (so who is going to he his "war consigliere"?)
If things aren't going his way (and a private fund-raising campaign skirts all those silly laws) he declares the U.S. to be ruled by Satan, further provokes civil war, (He CRAVED declaring martial law himself) and "apres moi le deluge" seeks to re-create America (and himself) in exile. PB's and others were yelling "1776".
That was the original plan. To "rewrite" it all.
For historical purposes, I earlier stated he would buy an island and declare a "sovereign nation". In that case, he gives himself asylum, especially as many of his cronies may have turned.
Otherwise:
And the BANNER for this?
President of the WORLD, baby!
Take over for the even more decrepit Putin for the FINAL APOCALYPTIC BATTLE (his ego is that big) against "godless" China.
And this takes LOTS OF MONEY. TONS OF MONEY.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)once he became a believer, that he would do whatever his counselors advised.
Usonian-type speculation has to be considered, though. tRump is a key figure in various RW conspiracies, one of them his own, with conspirators seeking out proven ways to use trujmpism to get power. Some involved are as intelligent and competent as he is not and have studied how to pull off coup d'etats. Of course they could want a giant national trial spectacle if they saw it as a viable tactic.