Trump's GOP rivals grapple with their response as his legal woes dominate presidential contest

Here is a simple plan: don't say something asinine like you will pardon Trump without knowing what he is guilty of.

Just ask the Trump supporters in this website for their expertise and advice. For example, I’m sure that every GOP voter here will be pleased to tell you their favorite flavor of boot polish.

“Insisting he was innocent of all charges, he vowed that, as president, he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden and his family.”

Sure, why not? It’d only be fair. Best deal with what’s on your plate first though.

A president launching an investigation into his rival. Is it ok if not? Depends on the day, apparently.

Looking forward to the day when Trump is out of the picture.

Before that happens, however, we're faced with the very likely scenario of Trump getting the nomination, losing the general, and inciting another violent attack and attempted coup. Aided this time by the House of Representatives and GOP state legislatures.

So-called conservatism is under a truly wicked spell, and it won't be easily broken. Just look at all the pols tripping over themselves to protect their Lord 'n' Savior.

Pastor Robert Jeffress, of the First Baptist megachurch in Dallas, initially declined to endorse Trump's 2024 bid but declared Tuesday night that the GOP's presidential primary was all but over.

I'm sure Jesus would back Trump. His teachings were all about sticking it to the libs.

Vivek Ramaswamy said his campaign had sent a letter to other 2024 candidates challenging them to join his pledge to pardon Trump on their first day in office “or else publicly explain why you will not.”

Sicko sycophant. Just drop out, Vivek. Why are you running anyway?

The Koch network’s political arm, Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity CEO Emily Seidel said her organization

These billionaire funded, Citizens United energized SuperPacs are a big reason American politics is bought and paid for.

They only care about their tax breaks and corporate welfare and are not sure Trump can deliver this time.

One scenario I heard they are worried about is the JD offering Trump a Spiro Agnew like plea deal of a mild sentence in exchange for dropping out of the race and keeping out of politics.

It would be a sort of test of his 'character' if he would accept such a plea bargain.

The only way they and the Republican establishment can beat Trump is to cheat.

Trump is the only honorable person in the universe. Everyone else is a horrible fraud.

Just like Biden & the swamp cheated in 2020 to "win".

[Citation needed]

Despite stating their support for him, the other candidates can't wait for the day he is out of the picture and the day things can start returning to normal.

Usually a cult will die with its leader, but until then the Republican Party is at the mercy of the racists, nutjobs and religious extremists who make up the Trump base. But they are the base that the Republican Party has been courting for decades.

What can they defend?

Well they have a recording of Trump admitting it. They have photos of the docs and they have a guy that moved them around. They have Trump on video continually contradicting his previous statements. His only defense is that I am Donald Trump and the laws do not apply to me.

This is just too funny when ya think about it. Initially, Trump tried to spring boarding his way into politics by rolling more suitable people under the bus. Then he established a cabinet made up of mostly criminals cronies, whom he inevitably rolled under another bus once they had worn out their usefulness. Then he proceeded to do away with the heads of certain offices who refused to join the circus. But he didn't stop there. He assumed that making friends with Americas staunchest enemies would gain him some form of notoriety after they realized that all it took to get him to dance was to pay him a false compliment. He ruffled the feathers of NATO as if he had any idea what he was doing there. Then he became a national punch-line in the News and on national and international TV. He successfully divided an already frayed nation that could only be compared to the times of slavery or the civil war era. He then breathed new life into hate groups like never before, while he sparsely used the office of the president for his own personal gains. He showed the world that he has no respect for women or the law. And this was just his first year in office. Two impeachments and two indictments later, he's now considered to be by far the worst president in not just American history, but world history. And republicans still support him, and he still says he did nothing wrong. Now what does that say about the culture in this country and its politics?

What I want to know is.........

Where is Ivanka? She and her husband have disappeared off of the face of the Earth. Her brothers Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dee, the usual enablers, are also oddly quiet. Tiffany who?

Anyone who says “Yeah, I’ll pardon him IF I win the nomination, and IF I win the general” makes themselves radioactive in the general.

The party of Law and Order as long as it’s not their sociopath being held to account.

What I want to know is.........

Where is Ivanka? She and her husband have What I want to know is.........

Where is Ivanka? She and her husband have disappeared off of the face of the Earth. Her brothers Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dee, the usual enablers, are also oddly quiet. Tiffany who?

And where is dear Melanie?

Name one case Trump,has won in the last three months,you can count the losses

Tommy Tubberville cementing his title as the hands-down stupidest person in the Senate for saying that Mara-Laredo was secure because there was a lock on the storage room.

When asked “what about the boxes kept in a bathroom, said “Well, I don’t know about that.”

Because of course he doesn’t.

Trump cultists: TRUMP WON IN 2020! HE’S THE REAL PRESIDENT!!

Normal people: Since you can only win a Presidential election twice, doesn’t that make him ineligible to run in 2024, if he won, as you claim?

Trump cultists: THE LAW IS FOR PEONS NOT MY LORD AND MASTER

How would you feel if your loved one was serving in the military, and this dumbass Trump had top secrets next to his toilet that could endanger their lives?

He has no business being commander in chief.

Looking forward to the day when Trump is out of the picture.

That might take a long time.

Before that happens, however, we're faced with the very likely scenario of Trump getting the nomination,

Yes

losing the general, and inciting another violent attack and attempted coup.

Doubt it this time especially looking at the polls and climate of the nation and with 47% of Americans not happy with this administration, yeah, not clear cut for the Dems and Biden.

Aided this time by the House of Representatives and GOP state legislatures.

Could be, it’s his party. Biden has the Dems so….

So-called conservatism is under a truly wicked spell,

Yup, called finally coming to their senses and fighting back.

and it won't be easily broken. Just look at all the pols tripping over themselves to protect their Lord 'n' Savior.

Like I said for years, the longer the left chases this guy, the more sympathetic the nation becomes, Jill Biden was absolutely stunned that most Republicans even the ones that don’t like Trump will vote for him, well, when you unjustly go after a political opponent because you don’t like their politics, like Trump said, it’s really not about him, it’s about us anti-establishment swamp voters, he’s just in the way.

I'm sure Jesus would back Trump. His teachings were all about sticking it to the libs.

Praying for it.

Sicko sycophant. Just drop out, Vivek. Why are you running anyway?

Wow, well, so much for the belief in democracy.

The next question is WHICH of the current or likely indictments resulting in a felony conviction is pardonable?

Obstruction/Espionage/Dissemination?

Sedition/Insurrection/Conspiracy to overthrow the legally elected government?

Election interference/Attempting to interfere with an election worker?

Campaign finance violations/ Illegal payments to a porn star?

Tax fraud?

There are so many, and so many more coming, one needs to be specific.

How else will Ms. Lindsey know which false equivalence to draw?

How else will Tommy tomatoes know which one to say "I don't know about that" to?

Read the full 47 page indictment and you'll see the enormous scope of Trump's criminality and casual disregard for the law...

Trump conspiring to delay and non-comply with a formal subpoena, telling aides to hide boxes from judge-appointed searches, directing lawyers to lie in writing to the DOJ, a smoking gun tape where he admits all his previous public statements were all lies, and the pictures of our nation's most sensitive secrets spilling out of cardboard boxes in bathrooms, bedrooms, and beyond...

Any Repub candidate or politician, that twists themselves into a pretzel trying to defend this level of lawlessness and disregard for our national security just shows they don't stand with their fellow Americans, but with Putin, Xi, and The Mullahs...

Remember that when voting in 2024...

Best friend of Mister Putin is unstoppable, like us or not will be the next President of USA..

Perhaps it is the best for world geopolitics, the Biden-NATO circus have done a lot of stupid things..

The next question is WHICH of the current or likely indictments resulting in a felony conviction is pardonable?

Obstruction/Espionage/Dissemination?

Sedition/Insurrection/Conspiracy to overthrow the legally elected government?

Election interference/Attempting to interfere with an election worker?

Campaign finance violations/ Illegal payments to a porn star?

Tax fraud?

Hmmm, the kitchen sink?? Seems like Don is the new Teflon Don. I’ll say this, the creativeness from the DOJ and Feds knows no bounds and they’re trying, I’ll give them that. Give dab where dab is due.

There are so many, and so many more coming, one needs to be specific. 

I know and still nothing is sticking, darn it!

you lack self esteem trying to defend Trump,

I lack??? Lol

in order for their to be legal conspiracy against Trump,,the judge would be part of it,the judge see all evidence, because he put under seal

What?

Dummy,judge see all the evidence in a trial

I think an important thing about Trump topics is that no one changes their mind.

Some people only post in Trump topics… relentlessly.

What a waste of time and energy, when no one ever has an epiphany and says, “Gee, you’re right! I changed my mind. Trump is great!”

A true leader, Trump.

Standing strong in front of these numerous witch hunts and frivolous lawsuits.

USA!

Bass4,is out of touch with legal reality,the judge sign and read the indictments

The next question is WHICH of the current or likely indictments resulting in a felony conviction is pardonable?

Hmmm, the kitchen sink?? Seems like Don is the new Teflon Don. I’ll say this, the creativeness from the DOJ and Feds knows no bounds and they’re trying, I’ll give them that. Give dab where dab is due.

There are so many, and so many more coming, one needs to be specific. 

I know and still nothing is sticking, darn it!

You've cited Fox's Jonathan Turley numerous times as your "legal expert" who you trust, admire, and believe...

He said this about the indictment;

*Speaking about the images from Mar-a-Lago of the boxes of documents found in a ballroom and a bathroom, in addition to other less-than-ideal places, Mr Turley said, “It's really breathtaking. *Obviously, this is mishandling. Putting the classified documents into ballrooms and bathrooms borders on the bizarre. And these are the types of pictures that hit you below the waterline in a trial.

*“It's hard to show a picture of these boxes surrounding a toilet and saying ‘we really acted responsibly,’” he added, going on to note that *“the government is bringing dozens of counts – they only have to land one of those punches”.

*“Keep in mind that every one of these counts is coming with a substantial potential sentence,” **Mr Turley said.*

“It is an extremely damning indictment”.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-jonathan-turley-trump-indictment-b2355679.html

Looks like he's nailed this one too, right?

White House hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy said his campaign had sent a letter to other 2024 candidates challenging them to join his pledge to pardon Trump on their first day in office “or else publicly explain why you will not.”

So much for "equal justice under law" and "nobody is above the law", parroted ad nauseam in MSM and by prominent public figures but, as we all know, it's just bromide for the masses, nothing but boilerplate fiction as balm for the public's indignation at the unequal and unfair application of the law. The special treatment for Trump took a new turn at his arrest and arraignment: the usual procedures for a suspect felon were skipped as expected, but the government's contempt for the victims of the crimes, the people of the United States, was on full display as the public was not allowed to see or hear justice being done in the courtroom as the accused sat scowling arms folded in silence, but instead was only able to see the defiant suspect reveling in the limelight, spouting more hate and lies, basking in the adulation of his MAGA followers and getting more free coverage for his campaign and for his grifting. Now the clock is likely running out on justice, equal or not, thanks to the dithering DOJ, asleep at the wheel.

Dummy,judge see all the evidence in a trial

Why?

is out of touch with legal reality,

Ahh, but you’re not?

In Autumn 2022, one of Trump's lawyers wanted to make a deal with the Justice Dept. to avoid Trump being charged but Trump refused.

A true leader, Trump.

Standing strong in front of these numerous witch hunts and frivolous lawsuits.

USA!

Now that the circle-jerk crowd has got that out of their system, we can look forward to the facts burning through the bs like a laxer burning a hole in a diploma from Trump “University”.

He took the docs.

He knew he took the docs.

He had no right to take the docs and he knew this.

He knew some of them were classified and that he had not, nor could he, declassify them post-presidency.

He disseminated the classified info to non-cleared people.

He defied a subpoena.

He lied on an affidavit.

He moved the docs to obstruct their recovery.

He did it. He’s guilty. And he is toast.

Witch hunt my ass.

when you unjustly go after a political opponent because you don’t like their politics, like Trump said, it’s really not about him, it’s about us anti-establishment swamp voters, he’s just in the way.

Too bad none of that is true.

Just ask bass what part of the indictment he take issue with and he'll tell you "all of it".

Pointless to debate. It's a cult.

Strange doesn't even come close to covering it.

The story of Trump refusing a deal is in the Washington Post today.

The super supporters of Trump refuse to accept the charges against him.

If he had given back the docs when requested, or even when subpoenaed, he would never have been charged.

I would have been mad as hell about it but it wouldn’t have been chargeable.

It comes out now that an attorney wanted to reach a deal with the DOJ.

Would it have worked? Perhaps not but he could have at least said he tried.

But we will never know because Trump canned the idea because the docs were “mine” (they weren’t).

I hope 45 has a very pleasant birthday today and a slice of beautiful chocolate cake with his wonderfully supportive family during these trying times. Take a moment, enjoy it.

With conservative icon the Wall Street Journal turning against Trump, you have to wonder when Hannity and Ingraham will follow....

*The Wall Street Journal, the newspaper that has the same overlord as Fox News, wrote Wednesday that if Republicans nominate Donald Trump again, *“they won’t ‘own the libs’ ... The libs will own them.”

The editorial sounded the alarm on the impact of Trump’s possible success in the 2024 presidential race. The Journal used Trump’s not-guilty plea to federal charges over his mishandling of classified documents as a jumping-off point.

*The editorial said the allegations show him to be “reckless, arrogant and remarkably self-destructive.” The indictment and trial will dominate the 2024 election cycle, the Journal warned.*

https://www.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-journal-tweaks-own-161637461.html

Trump is still leading the GOP pack for their nomination.

Trump wants to have these charges.

Seems like Don is the new Teflon Don.

Bass, the original Teflon Don died in prison and he was always going to die in prison.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gotti

Trump wants to play the role of the persecuted.

He took the docs.

He knew he took the docs.

He had no right to take the docs and he knew this. 

He knew some of them were classified and that he had not, nor could he, declassify them post-presidency. 

He disseminated the classified info to non-cleared people. 

He defied a subpoena. 

He lied on an affidavit. 

He moved the docs to obstruct their recovery. 

He did it. He’s guilty. And he is toast. 

Witch hunt my ass.

Dunno, that list does indeed sounds just like and seems to be the very definition of what a witch hunt is.

the original Teflon Don died in prison and he was always going to die in prison.

Well, yes, Gotti was a mob boss, killed people, ordered the death of people, why would he not die in prison?

Trump wants to play the role of the persecuted.

That’s because he is…uhh…

Trump is still leading the GOP pack for their nomination

Yes, sir!!!!

0 )

bass4funkToday  09:43 am JST

He took the docs.

He knew he took the docs.

He had no right to take the docs and he knew this. 

He knew some of them were classified and that he had not, nor could he, declassify them post-presidency. 

He disseminated the classified info to non-cleared people. 

He defied a subpoena. 

He lied on an affidavit. 

He moved the docs to obstruct their recovery. 

He did it. He’s guilty. And he is toast. 

Witch hunt my ass.

”Dunno, that list does indeed sounds just like and seems to be the very definition of what a witch hunt is.”

——-

Bartender, I’ll have whatever he’s drinking.

Just ask bass what part of the indictment he take issue with and he'll tell you "all of it".

Without a doubt.

Pointless to debate.

That goes both ways

It's a cult.

The new left talking point of the week. Ok..

Too bad none of that is true.

It’s all true.

In America,we do not always know the law,but it generally known ,when you openly conspire to break the law

Without a doubt.

Why did Trump lie multiple times in order to retain possession of state secrets?

Have you not wondered why he was willing to risk imprisonment in order to keep hold of them? Why were they so valuable to him?

The simple and most reasonable explanation is that you don't have clue one as to how the law works. 

I think it’s the other way around.

You are fond of saying we don't know what you know. 

True, very true.

We sure as hell know what you DON'T know.

Well, no, you do not.

And that is how American law, criminal, civil or constitutional works.

Sadly, not the way YOU think it should work, again, 7 years and all misses, I would it’s due to the rule of law not being on the Dems side. Now your side is pushing for another possibly 2 more indictments? Now if that doesn’t smell like political desperation, then I don’t know what is.

Special emphasis on "Dunno" as in "I do not know."

It finally says something factual.

Based on that statement I said.

that list does indeed sounds just like and seems to be the very definition of what a witch hunt is.

So it is factual

Why did Trump lie multiple times in order to retain possession of state secrets?

Have you not wondered why he was willing to risk imprisonment in order to keep hold of them? Why were they so valuable to him?

Like all things, he was going to monetize them. Trump was going to sell the nation's secrets for personal gain.

Because that is what he does.

Like all things, he was going to monetize them. Trump was going to sell the nation's secrets for personal gain. 

Oh, dear lord…..ok, and your proof of that is….

Because that is what he does.

And you can prove this? How?

Like all things, he was going to monetize them. Trump was going to sell the nation's secrets for personal gain.

Hmmm. I don't discount that may have been an option for him, but it sounds a bit unsatisfactory.

I think it's just for the joy of thieving something that is valuable to someone else and then trying to impress people by bragging about it. Donald has always had immense psychological issues due to his father.

Bas4funk today 0945 am JST

It's a cult.

The new left talking point of the week. Ok.

bass4funkJune 14  09:06 am JST

Because they're deluded. It's a cult. Face it.

And wear it with a badge of honor…

https://japantoday.com/category/world/trump-pleads-not-guilty-in-federal-documents-case2#comment-3691389

So today being in the MAGA-cult is a "left wing talking point", while yesterday being in it is a "badge of honor"...

Welcome to MAGA-world....

Did any of you incessant people see where all the other cases will likely now “adjourn” until this one is resolved?

so no NY, no GA, all the eggs in this one basket. Will this one start before the election? seems unlikely.

will Jack smith’s most high profile case having been overturned 9-0 by Supreme Court. Because he didn’t follow the law.

good luck!

bass: I’ll say this, the creativeness from the DOJ and Feds knows no bounds 

The fact is that it's a case in the court system so cries of corruption are meaningless now. Yelling, "witch hunt" or "like I'm gonna believe that" is a way to get around charges on message boards, but they won't work in a court of law. The jury will see text messages between Trump and Nauta. They will see pictures of boxes. They will hear recordings of Trump bragging about holding classified information.

If Trump loses, it will be based on the evidence. There's nothing you can do or say that will change that.

gonna be hard to do it again like last time

They managed to come up with millions of illegal votes in 2016 which was pre-Covid.

People get better with practice. Nailed it in 2020.

Cant see them failing next time out.

gonna be hard to do it again like last time.

It’s gonna be even harder for you to face reality then.

Maybe try an original angle, I recommend Qanon they’ll cook up something for you to blame.

The indictment does not have a single democrat witness. They're all Trump people, whom were picked by him, and served under him. All the evidence from photos, videos, words are from his staff and his lawyers. All of it.

This isn't the echo'd words of a very cornered rat in Trump, that this is a witch hunt. No, it's most definitely not, it's your people Donald, who are the witnesses in your indictment. You can't blame the DOJ or anyone for their right leaning to flat out right wing words that indicted you for criminal acts.

Trump, you should be realize this, but you've brainwashed the most stubborn of your herd to believe some whacky ideas, they repeat like the sheep, they are. Witch hunt are the silliest words, yet. LOL.

Just stop it, supporters, the more you do it, the more foolish you look, it's an embarrassment to read the thrashing about of a netted weasel.

So today being in the MAGA-cult is a "left wing talking point",

Yup.

while yesterday being in it is a "badge of honor"...

Yup.

Welcome to MAGA-world....

Yup.

The fact is that it's a case in the court system so cries of corruption are meaningless now.

Well, who ever said that Dems are reasonable is not running on a full tank.

Yelling, "witch hunt" or "like I'm gonna believe that" is a way to get around charges on message boards, but they won't work in a court of law.

No, so that is why the left need to be concerned, as usual you keep making my points for me.

The jury will see text messages between Trump and Nauta. They will see pictures of boxes. They will hear recordings of Trump bragging about holding classified information.

They will also see the 7 year history of chasing this guy non-stop with zero results 24/7

If Trump loses, it will be based on the evidence.

That’s a big “if”

There's nothing you can do or say that will change that.

I don’t need to, he has top lawyers, the best of the best that will do that for him.

And America is not going to elect a twice impeached, twice (and counting) indicted, sex-offender, who is an obvious Russophile, who advised people to inject bleach, who lost more jobs in his short 4 year administration than any president in history.

And this doesn't even get into the positive policy successes that Joe has accomplished.

So, this is not a poster living in objective reality.

So Trump lost because the voting rules were changed, eh?

This is evidence of delusion. If I had a relative who thought this (and thankfully none of mine are this stupid/ill) I would seek medical or psychological intervention.

bass: No, so that is why the left need to be concerned, as usual you keep making my points for me.

I'm not making your points for you. I was just pointing out that your conspiracy theories won't be considered evidence in the trial. They're meaningless now as we've moved from public opinion to the courtroom.

“56% in US feel cheating affected 2020 presidential election outcome, says poll”

"100% of Trump lawyers couldn't find evidence that we stole the election"

That number can only rise since Joe is out of his basement HQ.

I've said too much. Now you know too. I hear footsteps outside...

I'm not making your points for you.

Ohhh, yes you most definitely are.

I was just pointing out that your conspiracy theories won't be considered evidence in the trial.

I agree with you, that is why I made that statement, good luck to the prosecution though.

They're meaningless now as we've moved from public opinion to the courtroom.

I agree and I think we are going on 8 years of straight failure, but yeah, let them hash it out in court Lol

The media showed us dozens and dozens of boxes of “classified” materials, the bathroom! The bedroom! The ballroom! The shower!

documents all over the floor!

(Yeah FBI scattered them there to take pictures)

indictment says 102 documents were taken. . one normal size box would hold hundreds of documents.

If the election was really "stolen", how come the GQP picked up seats in the House and came very close to keeping the Senate?

Because the public doesn't trust Dems when it comes to spending! Heck, why on Earth would they?

Either this is lunacy (No, 56% of people do not think that cheating affected the outcome. 56% of illiterate rubes who watch Faux think so.), or .....

We know pretty much what happened, but we moved on.

Democrats need to get better at cheating because I feel like they should have done better down ballot. 

Well, now the GOP is starting to play the Dems games, so we shall see in the upcoming months how they do.

bass: I agree with you

Good. Settled. Have a good night.

But Joe is gonna win independents! They hate Trump!

ummm….

“Biden's weak standing among independents continues to worsen. Now 63% of independents pan Biden's job performance and 27% approve, vs. 56%-28% in April and 60%-22% in March.”

Good. Settled. Have a good night.

Yup, the prosecution will need more than evidence, luck would be something to consider and what has always eluded them.

Night.

bass: Yup, the prosecution will need more than evidence

Well, no. That's not how courts work.

Summary: In Jack Smith’s highest profile case (also against a Republican) he was overruled 9-0 by the Supreme Court.

so let’s see. Lots of holes in this case and lots of things accused but yet to be proven. 1-2 years minimum on this case is likely.

Yup, the prosecution will need more than evidence

This is brilliant. Pure bass. I wonder what they will need?

 Trump raised $2 million the other day just like that

Exactly and keep giving money to Trump. I'm pretty sure it's easy to send money from Japan to the Trump legal fund. This is not for the benefit of the USA. It's to help Trump and only Trump. If anyone here in Japan is a true Trump person, don't just talk about your support for Trump SEND HIM MONEY. Just typing anti Clinton rhetoric on JT doesn't do anything to help Trump. Only money does that. What I want to hear from Trump people is how much money did you send to Trump. Me, nothing and I never will. It is his problem.

What do prosecutors in the US need as well as evidence?

A jury to say "guilty". It ain't up to the prosecutors.

From the same company that says our borders are secure, go figure

Obama deportations per year exceeded those of Trump. Check the numbers. Trump was sloppy with immigration.

Real wages are down 26 months in a row.

The jury doesn't care. This is a court of law and not the court of Hannity. The jury will not hear Real wages are down 26 months in a row. What does that have to do with how the jury makes their verdict? It's not legal fact.

We know pretty much what happened, but we moved on

You don’t know what happened or you would have evidence of it. After all this time.

Moved on by continuing to say the election was stolen. Which deserves all the ridicule it brings and more.

No, many are ditching their swamp establishment identities to jump the MAGA train

Nothing wrong with swamp establishment members according to you and your non-partisan historians.

Bush 2 was typical swamp establishment yet he was a successful president according to you and your non-partisan historians.

Swamp-dwellers can do a very good job.