by Patrice Johnson and Dee Davey | May 31, 2024
Former President Donald Trump is man of firsts: The first to build and nearly complete a wall to control illegal migration along the southern border. The first to charge China import tariffs and slow the trade imbalance. Then yesterday, the former commander in chief became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. A deep blue Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts for violating a New York state statute that specifically restricts its violations to misdemeanors.
The crime? Trump was found guilty of a payment his then-lawyer made to a pornographer as part of a nondisclosure agreement ahead of the 2016 election.
Strange as it sounds, New York Election Law section 17-152 is clear. The statute provides that “any two or more persons who conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means and which conspiracy is acted upon by one or more of the parties thereto, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.” (Emphasis added.)
However, Judge Juan Merchan “sparked controversy with instructions to the jury that they didn’t need to agree on all elements of an underlying crime,” and “that was key to elevating into a felony what would normally be a misdemeanor charge…,” Tom Ozimek of the Epoch Times wrote.
“It is all in the [jury] instructions!” Phillip Kline, a law professor at Liberty University and former Kansas attorney general, posted this on X:
“Judge Merchan has thru delay and obfuscation hampered the preparation of a defense, constructed a manner for the jury to convict without agreement on what crime was committed, and paved the way thru allowing irrelevant evidence for mere animus towards Trump to convict! Welcome to the left’s living Constitution!”
Will Trump be incarcerated, and if so, will he be safe?
Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” As happenstance would have it, U.S. House Democrats introduced a bill to strip Secret Service protection from convicted felons sentenced to prison. The narrow Republican majority nixed the legislation, but it is rumored to be poised for reintroduction.
In another odd coincidence, Trump’s sentencing date of July 11 happens to coincide with the Republican presidential nominating convention in Milwaukee, July 15 through 18.
Reactions across the nation were swift and sizable. Trump’s website collecting donations crashed due to heavy volume.
The Federalist noted another first, writing, “The saga marks the first time in U.S. history a major party has weaponized the justice system to convict its chief political opponent ahead of a contested election.” Reporter Shawn Fleetwood referred to the trial as a “Soviet-style show trial.”
Just the News reported the verdict announcement as “one of the darkest hours in American history.” It emphasized that the "Get Trump" campaign was begun not by Prosecutor Bragg. "That job actually began with Hillary Clinton back in the spring of 2016 when her team of lawyers, opposition research hitmen and one ex-British spy concocted a now-laughable narrative that Trump somehow was colluding with Vladimir Putin to steal the 2016 election. Clinton then sold it to an FBI agent, which overtly misled the FISA court to sustain an investigation of a sitting commander in chief."
Patrick Colbeck, COO of the Linden Foundation, posted a warning on Pure Integrity Michigan Elections Signal. “In the wake of the #bananarepublic verdict against @realDonaldTrump, remember, the action is in the reaction,” he stated. “One of the reasons that those behind the #2020Coup have been so relentless in seeking his conviction on spurious charges is to provoke otherwise law-abiding citizens in violent action. ‘The action is in the reaction’ is one of Saul Alinsky’s core tenets in Rules for Radicals, which he dedicated to Lucifer. Don’t take the bait!”
Colbeck cited Matthew 10:26. “But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.”
Clearly, Donald Trump’s list of firsts is bound to grow. The message below from MFE Director Dee Davey sums up how MFE supporters will continue to stand for fair elections in a free Constitutional Republic governed by the rule of law:
Dear Team,
Reflections from 1976: I remember the incredible emotion I felt while celebrating 4th July Fireworks during the bi-centennial celebrations of 1776. My heart was exploding with pride for America – I can still feel that moment and get breathless with gratitude for our freedoms, our opportunities, our safety in living in the most wonderful and free country in the world. The memory is tangible.
Where we are now: How my world of pride and joy has changed. I am living through the destruction of America. I am living every day watching America be disassembled. Lawfare has taken precedent over justice. Government overreach is overwhelmingly swamping every aspect of American life. Evil forces are turning our Constitutional Republic into Marxist rule and Communist dictates.
Hope and What Comes Next: In spite of this I have HOPE and will stand firm. Such a sad day for America, BUT, such a great day of renewed resolve for America.
Never Give In. Never Give Up! We have Pride for the America that we are dedicated to. We need to continue our engagement and effort to do what we can to "Save America."
Have HOPE. Have determination. Let us continue our efforts.
All best,
Dee
Next MFE Task Force Coalition Meeting: Thurs., June 6, 2024, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM meeting.
Note: Representatives of the media are allowed in our meetings only with prior permission.
Important Notes and Disclaimers for Election Integrity Network National Working Groups and coalition calls
We operate under strict 501 (c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan guidelines. Please do not make any comments during the call or in the chat that are directly related to any campaign or candidate running for office or could be considered an endorsement or opposition of that candidate.
All calls are “off the record.” This means that no members of the media are allowed on our calls without permission and this rule also applies to participants. No comment or presentation can be shared outside of the call without the express permission of the speaker. This includes the call "Notes" available to our participants.
We always welcome new participants but ask that all newcomers register with their own registration link. Please do not forward your personal link to another participant.
For the security of the call, if you join by phone, you may be asked to unmute and provide your name.
This meeting is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or instruction to lobby on behalf of any issue or organization.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Please donate to Michigan Fair Elections.
MFE is a fiercely independent, tax-exempt 501(c)3 charity. We rely on voluntary contributions to fund our important, and sometimes costly, work. Legal claims are sometimes essential to improve the government and protect citizen rights, and they can be expensive.
Please support MFE's investigative research, honest journalism, and litigative actions to defend We the People's inalienable rights as protected in the U.S. Constitution. Donate today to assist our educational efforts to protect the principles of individual liberty in America.
Mark your calendars to attend Election Integrity Network's outstanding national working groups. Consider also serving as liaison to report to MFE's Task Force Coalition on our Thursday meetings.
Thursday, May 30
Only Citizens Vote, 11 AM, Register
Click on the monthly NWG Calendar to register and join any meeting.
The views of attendees and presenters are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the MFE organization.
Comments