As the World of Donald Trump Turns – “The Sunday Political Brunch” March 26, 2023

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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Former President Trump PHOTO: GoLocal

Remember the old network soap opera, “As the World Turns?” For 54 years, it proved to be one of the most popular, gut-wrenching daytime dramas in television history. The latest on former President Donald Trump, whether it be his sex life, or his personal finances, and on to his latest political run, seems to be in the script. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“Pin the Tail on the Donkey… Wait, Pin it on ME!” – Last Saturday, Trump himself went on social media to say he, “will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.” It never happened. The grand jury investigating him meets Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but no indictments were handed up by the close of business Friday. That doesn’t mean they won’t come, but it’s clear Trump has no real solid source for insider information. But he does have a way to dominate the week’s headlines, even without making any news. He has a way of force-feeding the media circus, like feeding a stray cat that visits your home and then never goes away.

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“Depleting the Room of All Oxygen” – Trump, whether you like him or not, has a way of drawing media coverage like a magnet, even long before he sat in the Oval Office. Circus legend P.T. Barnum would be proud. The looming Trump indictment has dominated national headlines for a week now, only to produce nothing. “This former president knows how to spin things his way and how to turn something that's straw into gold,” said Todd Belt, a George Washington University Political Management Professor, on CBS News

 

“Rocket Reaction” – Rep. Alex Mooney (R) West Virginia issued a statement, in advance of the rumored Trump indictment, saying, “This is outrageous if true. The leftist Manhattan DA resembles Stalin’s secret police attacking only Republicans and letting crime explode. Harassing President Trump to distract from their own failures is the left’s plan.” Mooney went on to say, “Meanwhile, the deep state still COVERS UP for Hunter Biden and the money he was bringing in from foreign countries.” Keep in mind, Congressman Mooney has already declared for the 2024 GOP primary hoping to face vulnerable U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia in November 2024. Whether you agree with him, or not, he is one to watch in a critical U.S. Senate race. 

 

“The War of Words” – Trump took to his social media platform, “Truth Social” and warned of "potential death and destruction" if he is charged in the case. Democrat leaders responded with deep concerns. “The twice-impeached former president’s rhetoric is reckless, reprehensible, and irresponsible. It’s dangerous, and if he keeps it up, he’s going to get someone killed,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D) New York and Minority Leader during a press briefing in the Capitol.

 

“Veiled Threats?” – On Friday, a suspicious package showed up in the mail room of the building where the Manhattan District Attorney’s office is located. The package contained white powder. Various reports say the mail was addressed simply to “Alvin,” suggesting it was sent to District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is leading the investigation into the ex-president. The powder was later determined to be “non-hazardous,” but you have to wonder if it was more than a subtle attempt at intimidation. The grand jury sitting in that very building is considering criminal charges against Trump.

 

“More Trump Troubles” – The various criminal investigations aside, Trump is also locked in a heated battle over executive privilege. This week a judge ruled that former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and other key staffers, must testify before a federal grand jury investigating the January 6th riots at the U.S. Capitol. Executive privilege is the legal standard that is borne out of the Separations of Powers in the U.S. Constitution that essentially says Congress and the courts can’t violate the Separation of Powers by compelling another branch of government from disclosing what is confidential information and conversations within that branch. But, as we found out during Watergate, it does not protect said staffers if the overarching concern is criminal behavior. The notion that comes into play here, is that “no one is above the law,” including a president’s top aides. Trump is trying to block the testimony of former Vice-President Mike Pence on similar grounds. My gut says at some point, Pence will testify, and it will be profound.

 

“Speaking of Separation of Powers” – It’s an issue that can cut both ways. On the looming event of a potential Trump indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney, the Republican-led U.S. House aimed to counterpunch. “You are reportedly about to engage in an unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial authority,” said Rep. Jim Jordan (R) Ohio of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. James Comer (R) Kentucky, of the Oversight and Accountability Committee, and Rep. Bryan Steil (R) Wisconsin, of the Administration Committee. “If these reports are accurate, your actions will erode the confidence in the evenhanded application of justice and unalterably interfere in the course of the 2024 presidential election.” The three also requested, “all documents and communications referring or relating to the Manhattan DA’s Office’s receipt and use of federal funds.” Since we’re talking federal to state agency here, it’s not a Separation of Powers Constitutional issue, but rather a potential intimidation act to limit federal funding.

 

“The Danger in Such a Powerplay” – Right now, the split in the U.S. House is 222 Republicans to 213 Democrats. A switch of just five seats in 2024 sends the body back to Democrat control. It’s easily doable, especially if the public perceives a misuse of power by the majority. It’s highly unusual for a federal body (the U.S. House) to interject itself in what is essentially a local matter (at the New York District Attorney’s office). But politics often defies gravity, so all bets are off.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.


 

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