The fear of civil unrest. The fear of tearing the nation apart.

[fightforfreedom]

In my opinion, this is the reason why Trump has not been indicted, YET!

In America no one wants to see a sitting president or a former president indicted for serious felonies. Because that means something has gone terribly wrong. We want all of our presidents to be law abiding. Throughout our history the large majority of our presidents were law abiding. We had a couple of bad apples like Nixon who did the right thing by resigning. Ford pardoned him for the reason I stated above.

Then someone like Trump comes along and puts us in a position no one wants to be in. Trump was and is so corrupt we do not have any choice but to indict him. Not indicting him would destroy the rule of law and our democracy with it.

Now Garland is faced with the horrible truth a former president must be indicted. The full weight of our history, our future is on Garlands shoulders. He knows what is at stake. He knows he has to get this right, make no mistakes. He must do this in a way that limits the damage to our nation and does not tear the country to pieces. Garland, not us, has to consider all of this. The pressure on him must be off the charts.

I wanted Trump arrested immediately after they searched his resort and found top secret documents. That would have made me very happy, but I also understand doing so would have set off a firestorm across the country.

The same goes for Jan 6th. We all know Trump is guilty of multiple felonies. I want justice now, but I understood from the beginning this was the largest investigation in our history. It was going to take time, it has to be done right.

The problems we are seeing know are not being caused by Garland, the DOJ/FBI. They are being caused by Trump. Trump has put us in a position no one wants to be in. A position no one has ever faced before.

It all falls on Garlands shoulders. He will follow the law and indict Trump. But he has the unimaginable task of bringing down a former president without a rule book. Something that has never done before and he has to do it in way that will cause the least amount of turmoil to out nation.

We should all wish Garland the best of luck.

[uponit7771]

1. Trump is another Whitey Bulger pre release of FBI screw ups, all actionable evidence points that way

If the feds really cared if the country blew up they'd enact policing standards

[kentuck]

2. He has to make the argument to not indict almost impossible.

The evidence has to be over-whelming and it getting near that point.

It has to be indefensible.

[The Magistrate]

4. To My Mind, Sir

That Trump had made clear threats of violence by his supporters if he is indicted makes his indictment and trial mandatory.

[Pachamama]

15. [phone]

Completely Agree

[kentuck]

41. Yes, Sir. I think I may have worded that rather poorly.

I tend to agree that AG Garland will be greatly inclined to indict. But, he knows the history of Trump and he knows that he needs an ironclad case against him. He must have evidence that is undeniable. He needs a case that is almost impossible to question. And he is getting very close to that right now, in my opinion.

I think he is intent on getting down to the last detail so there will be no questions about the former president's guilt.

[Mr. Ected]

3. Garland has a rule book

It's the U.S. Code. It lists the elements of crimes and potential defenses. Being an ex-president is not a defense. Fear of firestorms assuredly is not a defense. The very people we fear have already shown their contempt for the U.S. Code. One by one they are being tried, convicted and incarcerated. If they want more, bring it on. This time we'll be ready for them.

[G2theD]

36. Without fear or favor

Garland has said this publicly several times and I don’t doubt that he means it.

Nobody thinks he will be doing Trump any favors. So it comes down to fear.

Garland will not disregard his duty to our constitution and our very way of life over fear.
Sometimes the only answer to fear is doing what is right. Doing what’s right is the most powerful virtue that man can possess.

Garland is not a fearful man.

[Chainfire]

5. I don't fear it. I would rather die fighting Fascism than to live under it.

I think that the fall of Trump will bring violence and death to the streets, but that it would be short-lived. The Nation would get sick of it really quickly. The "Real Americans" that want a new civil war won't get it. The people that we "fear" are basically cowards and bullies, they will slink away at the first signs of fierce resistance.

If we have to make war on criminal gangs to protect our future, then bring it. Deal with them with an iron fist. It is a growing pain that we may have to suffer or accept government by tyrants. It seems that every so often that Nazis have to be reminded of how the world really views them and the good people have to stuff their hateful asses back into the box from which they crawl.

If America lets the fear of a minority of bullies scare us away from justice, then we have lost our nation.

[kairos12]

27. That has always been my opinion. Bullies

don’t stop until they see no further gain.

Resist all all costs.

No surrender to evil. Ever.

[Mr. Evil]

32. Pretty much sums it up for me, too.

I really don't think there would be a firestorm and chaos in the streets. Those people for the most part, are just as you said, cowards and bullies. They'll skulk back to wherever they came from because they love the tough talk and putting on their fearful looking warrior costumes for the cameras, not an actual confrontation. But, my thoughts are that only a small percentage of these ultra-losers (3%'s, Oaf Keepers, Proud Boys, et al) would actually try to engage the government and would be arrested immediately or killed outright.

The old saying, 'for everything there is a first time' is applicable in the case of TFG. The presidency to him only meant another avenue to grift, make corrupt deals and further prop up his ego. I also feel that since he's had these classified and top secret files for over a year and a half, he's probably already used the information to benefit himself. I'd be willing to bet that the DOJ, FBI, CIA, NSA, DHS and pretty much the rest of the alphabet agencies have all the evidence they need to indict him. And that is exactly what must be done forthwith.

[llmart]

49. Couldn't agree with you more.

It has to be done. Your last sentence is spot on.

[Straw Man]

54. Agree 100%.

That's why I encourage people from the leftish side of the political spectrum to arm themselves. The right-wing nut-jobs need to be dis-emboldened in that area.

[hamsterjill]

62. +1000

Well said and I totally agree.

[brooklynite]

6. Your opinion is based on no evidence whatsoever.

Investigations and prosecutions are not as quick as they are on TV (Watergate took two years). And Garland has spoken previously about the methodically approach DOJ has taken. There is no evidence that "fear of civil unrest" is delaying matters.

[fightforfreedom]

7. I didn't say it was. My opinion is based on commonsense.

Garlands decision to indict a former president will be unprecedented. It will set off a political firestorm. You don't think Garland has to consider that? Of course he does. How he presents his indictments, the evidence he shows, matters big time.

He has to make this look as non-political as possible, not an easy task.

[brooklynite]

34. Garland's duty would be to inform law enforcement of the likely outcome of an indictment...

...not to consider NOT indicting on that basis. There is certainly no evidence that he's DELAYED an indictment because he's worried about what might happen.

[ashredux]

8. Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. So, arrest the SOB

[randr]

9. The only fear we have is fear itself

Fear is a psych hole that captures our will.
We have nothing to fear.
Bullies are always full of shit.
They may scare a few, even hurt a few. Ultimately they are brought to their knees with a single smack.

[TeamProg]

10. This "civil unrest" crap is way over-hyped. I'm not worried in the slightest. n/t

[3Hotdogs]

26. I expect that quite a few assholes who would'a put on their red hats and taken to the streets..

are learning about what happened to the J/6 predecessors.

It stops being fun when the lights switch goes on and you realize, Donald gives a shit, only about himself. And Sanny Claws doesn't come down the chimney at camp fed... and many of your neighbors who always thought you were an asshole, now know it's for real. And there's nobody to bring home a paycheck for your wife and kids (unless you were the wife in a red hat).

[housecat]

35. Nicely put.

[TeamProg]

39. After TFG is exposed for the fraud that he is, his chances of Martyrdom are next to nil.. no one

is going to fight for him.

Wingnuts will move on to the next hate-filled authoritarian.

[LoisB]

11. I agree. Garland certainly has a tiny needle to thread but I think he can do it.

[PatrickforB]

12. Indeed. Good post.

Garland, and all the rest at DOJ, the serious people in Congress, the Executive Branch, the Judiciary, not to mention all of us John Q or Jane Q Citizens, share this weight. But Garland is not alone. He's got all the other AGs that are bringing actions against Trump and his mob.

But he does NOT have the media. Why? The Gods of Profit on Wall Street. The media is corporate owned, and is subject to ratings, which bring more ad revenue, which boosts shareholder profits. Wall Street's colors are NOT Red, White and Blue. They are green. Their flag is the Almighty Dollar, and if they think they will get better ratings by reporting this, they will, but if not, they won't. Plus many people in corporate board rooms dislike the government, want to get rid of all regulation, and privatize everything. Not to mention gutting all programs that help us and rerouting those monies to billionaire parasites.

Seriously. Capitalism is the counterweight to doing the right, good, moral thing.

As to social unrest? We already have that. BLM, the new Womens Movement. Demonstrations all over the place on the left, which the cops put down violently. We are groaning under the weight of unrestrained capitalism. We groan under the weight of the greed of a few.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

64. I agree

Great post

[Farmer-Rick]

13. Some people still approve of what TFG did

They supported him before and they are supporting him now. They don't want a democracy, the backbone of this country. They want a king and a Christian theocracy. And some of them have more money than some countries' entire GNP.

[Ferrets are Cool]

18. They want a king AS LONG AS that king does what THEY want. Or think they want.

[Farmer-Rick]

24. Exactly, they can't seem to imagine a world

That a king or top Imam would do things they don't like.

[housecat]

37. Maybe because none of them is educated -- like in history

[NoMoreRepugs]

14. IF this scenario happens, IF, the initial "unrest" must be dealt

with using overwhelming and lethal force - IMO it is the only way to establish that Democracy will not stand for Insurrectionists. It must be demonstrated that Jan 6th was an aberration because the SlobFather was still technically POTUS.

[stopdiggin]

28. the trouble with that

(and this is not necessarily disagreement) - is what does that do to future 'protest' and civil unrest? Are we going to set a precedent where the 'proper' and approved response by the government to protest - is to have uniforms bashing heads and kicking in doors? That has to give pause.

Armed insurrection, yes ... (and I think we are pursuing that) But that means you have to actually catch people with the 'goods.' (arms, game plans, coordination, intent, conspiracy)

[NoMoreRepugs]

60. Armed insurrectionists was my inference, not protestors.

[stopdiggin]

61. I understood you

But it also warrants mention that 99.9% of Stop the Steal, up to and including the Jan. 6th riots - had almost no 'weapons' or arms component.

(yes, there were flag poles, and pepper spray, and fists and shields - but it would be hard to categorize Jan 6th (in any common understanding of the words) - as 'armed insurrection.' perhaps we are looking at such down the road, but ...)

[housecat]

43. I totally agree that force may be the only way to deal with knuckle-walking anarchists. However,

using force sounds undemocratic, so the left is conflicted. IMO these uneducated wannabe-fascists only understand force; all cowards and bullies understand force and run away. We need to show them, albeit undemocratic, unapologetic force if we're going to keep Democracy. I don't think using force is contradictory as long as the majority of Democrats agree. Does that make sense or am I babbling?

[I_UndergroundPanther]

65. You make total sense,housecat

[housecat]

71. thanks

[Traildogbob]

46. 🤜🤛

Take em out. They do not deserve to exist in a democracy. They hate it. So remove them from it before they destroy it. I’m sorry, but I gotta agree with the lethal solution. They made that choice and cheer it on every day. Their biggest cheerleaders will be safe behind their microphones and keyboards. They continue to threaten our lives with “blood in the streets” BS. Make it theirs.
Time to face their shit head on. I did not serve this country to allow this bullshit right here and supported by a criminal faction of the government.

[wnylib]

16. I think that an indictment is being based on timing.

Large scale civil unrest during the primaries would interfere with people voting because you can be sure that MAGAs would take the fight to the polls.

But after election day? Can't let the fear of violence get in the way. Either way, before or after elections, it will happen.

If after elections, DOJ will be accused of sour grapes if Dems don't do as well as we expect to, or as abuse of power if we do succeed.

So, just do what is necessary and be prepared.

[housecat]

45. What is necessary, and how can we be prepared?

[wnylib]

52. What is necessary, for the sake of saving our democracy,

is to indict Trump based on the evidence.

Preparing means being aware of the potential for violence and putting agencies (like the National Guard) on alert, monitoring RW extremist social media, monitoring leaders of those movements, and having plans in place for responding to violence.

[Ferrets are Cool]

17. If your first sentence is true, it is FARKING STUPID for that to be so.

Presidents are just regular citizens with money (backing) and charisma. They are NOT above the law.

[3Hotdogs]

30. I blame a shit-load of it on Gerald Ford.

If Nixon had been indicted, convicted, then pardoned, maybe Trump might have thought twice.

The next question for us, is if Biden will pardon the asshole.... and .... so far, so good.

[Auggie]

19. I think Garland is building an air-tight case

[kentuck]

47. He's getting close...

Don't you think?

[Auggie]

55. Yes ...

It would be easy to indict a flunky, I imagine. Garland needs TFG.

I have no idea what the actual law is and how TFG could be charged. Could TFG be indicted for stealing one document or hundreds? Does intent to profit, blackmail, or commit treason increase the penalty? Can they prove this? It's got to be beyond a reasonable doubt.

[Brainfodder]

20. Gonna take the community to be rid of the village idiot?

So now his excuse, freshly minted from SHITHEAD SOCIAL:

Hunter Biden's Laptop has proof of FBI "fake proof" of MAL.

His interrogation is going to be must view TV!

He has so much to answer for, 2 years to ask him everything and get the answers?

[Turbineguy]

21. Slice the salami

Trump's influence is waning. Nothing happened after the $250 million lawsuit. Georgia indictment comes next. By the time Garland is ready, trump will be a pariah.

[Jon King]

22. Nope, there will be no civil unrest at all.

This narrative needs to be stopped in its tracks, its bluster to try to save Trump. Anyone who would do anything was caught in 1-6. Sure a few lone guys will get themselves arrested, but that is it.

When Trump was searched, one guy did anything. And his grand plan involved a nail gun to get through bullet proof glass for goodness sake. The rest of the trumpers will type on their computers, then go watch the game.

Its also impractical. Any mass organizing would be easily spotted by law enforcement, Where? They can not go to any cities. They can not go back to the Capitol, those cops will be relishing revenge and security is 1000 times tighter. There literally is no where for any mass civil unrest by the right wingers.

Indict Trump for every single crime and lets get this show on the road already.

[stopdiggin]

33. pretty much agree.

and also agree that we should stop trumpeting the narrative. TFG is fading before our eyes. Why add air (or unnecessary consequence) to the delusions? Let the tabloids push their breathless, and self serving, drivel.

[kentuck]

48. I think there will be a lot of hot air and threats...

...but the violence will not equal those threats, in my opinion.

[Emile]

23. If they don't arrest him soon all predictions of civil unrest

may come true! Just not from the Trumpy side as they want you to believe. After all, we been told that no one is above the law.

[Elessar Zappa]

57. Civil unrest of what type?

Democrats and liberals may protest but we rarely get violent. I don’t expect that to change regardless of whether or not Trump is indicted.

[Emile]

58. I don't see the democrats

getting violent either. I do expect Trump to held accountable, don't you?

[Elessar Zappa]

59. Yes, of course.

And I believe he will be.

[Snackshack]

25. The flip side is...

We are told anyone can be President…and now we know anyone can no matter how corrupt or unfit they are. If this is the case then a president should certainly be constrained and accountable by the laws of the land. Since there is really no prerequisite to be president the only thing we have to ensure they keep the Oath they take is our laws.

It’s not like President don’t know they are not supposed to lie about a deadly virus that kills a million plus Americans or attempt an overthrow of the gov or steal national secrets or any of the other crimes he did.

All Garland has to do is follow the law, America will be fine.

[Cozmo]

29. Just don't believe that Garland is that kind of guy. He will follow the law.

[fightforfreedom]

40. I agree, I said in my post Garland will indict.

The point is, he has to consider everything. It is easy for us sitting at our computers to say, arrest Trump now.

[Justice matters.]

31. So, the next time anyone not former president steals classified documents...

that person should not be arrested and locked up while waiting for indictments and questioned relentlessly in order to reveal what he/she did with the stolen document(s).

If he/she is in fact arrested on the spot, that will prove there are two different systems of justice.

Got it.

[Lonestarblue]

38. By not indicting Trump, we allow the fear of a minority to overrule our system of justice.

While I do not want civil violence, we have a National Guard and, if necessary a US military, to put the Trump militias out of business. Could they cause damage in the beginning? Yes, but many of these people are puffed-up wannabes who will turn tail when someone shoots back at them. The FBI knows who the real threats are (those former military who aren’t afraid of the shooting), and they can monitor their activities.

I believe, and hope, that the threat of civil war is overstated, though it is indeed possible. But unlike the former president, who would have encouraged the violence, we have a president who will not encourage nor tolerate it.

[Hamlette]

42. we all fear the GOP will retaliate.

these guys are mean. They are still pissed off over Nixon and Bork.

The next two years will be a shit show in the House. They will impeach Biden. They don't need a reason, they will make it up. Remember, all 10 Representatives who voted to impeach Trump after Jan 6 are gone, voted out in primaries. That's their party now. It will be ugly.

Trump put a knife at everyone's throat. If the GOP crosses him he starts a 3rd party. If the Dems cross him, he tries another coup by calling out his heavily armed monkeys.

I agree that Garland needs to have tons of evidence. To lose that case would devastate me.

[Traildogbob]

44. It's a damn good thing

Soldiers that died in the Aftermath of Japanese attack on our soil were not so god damned chicken shit. We spend billions a year for a defense system to protect us from an attack. So let’s just cower to Donald Fucking Trump and his mouth breathing knuckle draggers. Allowing him to attempt an overthrow of our democracy will give them the go ahead to do it again and be successful. That is a hell of a lot more terrifying than their civil fucking war, one we out number them 7 to 1. And within the 1, there are a lot of fat ass idiots with caked cholesterol in their veins that can’t run to a toilet before pudding their Panties.
Charge and sentence the Asshole, and all his congress and senate puppets, and take it to these fools. Lock em Up, the ones that survive being misted.
America, grow a damn pair. (Or better, show some ovaries) You’re always willing to wave a flag and send other’s children over seas to protect your damn freedom and democracy. Now it’s gonna be your turn. At least to honor all that have died and served in every damn battle that was “said to be” to protect our country. This battle obviously is to do just that.

[Samrob]

50. YES!!

[I_UndergroundPanther]

66. Thank you!

And thanks for your service from before and if its needed later.

[Traildogbob]

68. I will answer the call.

[Treefrog]

51. He is not going to be indicted.

It is not going to happen.

I would love to be wrong, but nope.

[hamsterjill]

63. You're not wrong.

I wish you were, too.

But the clock is ticking and time is running out.

[Samrob]

53. Well, I fear that if Trump IS NOT indicted there will be civil unrest, violence and more lawlessness

[Skittles]

56. sorry, no, BRING IT ON

IS THAT VILE POS ABOVE THE LAW OR IS HE NOT

THAT SHOULD BE THE *ONLY* CONCERN

[kwolf68]

67. Im skeptical

I've seen Dems fuck shit up for decades now even when they were the home team. I think Dems are shellshocked from myriad of attacks. And it's costing us. Costing our nation. If Trump skates, our nation is finished. They will fix every election going forward, and just like what happened in some Western European nation back the day they will probably work to outlaw dissent and persecute undesirables. But not to worry they will make up for it by advancing theocracy. If we lose this November, we're done in my view.

[Initech]

69. I've never been more scared of the direction that our country is heading in than I am right now.

We have to do something - Trump and the Christian right are completely drunk with power and out of control and marching this country in a very dangerous direction. But we have to act now, tomorrow may be too late.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

70. Why is his orange ass still free? He should've been locked up as soon as the docs were found.

[maxsolomon]

72. Civil unrest takes place in Cities.

Q Loons don't live in cities in appreciable numbers. They live in the exurbs.

They could hole up in some remote Gubmint facility like the Bundy clowns at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. In which case, you starve them out. No Ruby Ridges.

They could come into the cities (i.e. Portland OR) to provoke street battles with Librulz. If we decide to take the bait and fight them, that would lead to National Guard deployments and Martial Law.