They Got Capone For Taxes

March 20, 2023  (Vol. 17 No. 15) - As I went through my morning routine of perusing the news today, this passage from a CNN story about the impending indictment of Donald Trump caught my eye: "Trump lawyer Alina Habba told CNN's Paul Reid Sunday there would be serious consequences if Trump were to be indicted for a mere misdemeanor - one possible outcome of the Manhattan probe. 'It is going to cause mayhem, Paula. I mean, it's a very scary time in our country,' Habba said. But she also said that 'no one wants anyone to get hurt' and Trump supporters should be 'peaceful.'" After reading that, my blood started to boil. Not only did the morally corrupt former president suggest that there may be violence if he is - as he predicted - indicted this week for his alleged payment of hush money to a porn star, his legal mouthpiece went on national television to suggest the same. We have also heard this weekend from a variety of Republican weasels, such as the sycophantic Mike Pence and spineless Kevin McCarthy, who are trying to delegitimize the criminal justice system by criticizing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Let's clear up a few things. The Republican argument comes down to this: How can you take down a former President of the United States on such a minor violation?" First, we are not talking about a misdemeanor. What we have here is a criminal conspiracy to circumvent federal campaign law through the obstruction of justice.  Second, if the facts of case would justify the indictment of Joe or Joanne Sixpack, where does the law say that a former president should be treated different?  There is no presidential immunity in this matter. That's not my opinion. That's what the federal courts have repeatedly said. Finally, if Trump - a man who may well be indicted in other jurisdictions for sedition, tax evasion, stealing highly classified documents and espionage - is finally taken down for obstructing justice and paying hush money to a high-priced call girl, so be it. After all, the feds took down notorious gangster Al Capone for tax evasion. (It's a damn shame we can't hold Trump accountable for the hundred of thousands unnecessary COVID deaths he caused.) You use whatever tools you have. It's time to shut down Public Enemy Number One: The Don of the Trump Crime Family. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.