Trump is Now Officially a Felon

 By David Starr

 

The verdict: “Trump is guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush money trial,” according to CNN. Trump now goes down in history as the first president or former president convicted of being a felon. So far.

 

At the rate it’s going, more politicians, as well as their corporate benefactors, may find themselves being branded as felons. But whether they go to trial could be another matter. Basically, the justice system is currently favoring the establishment, which means that there is an inevitability more scandals will surface with the possibility that justice will not be served. Or there would be a slap on the wrist. Whatever the case, those without institutional and/or corporate power do not get the same “royal” treatment as those in power.

 

The United States, as an empire is in decline, both in the foreign and domestic spheres. There has been an accumulation of rot in the system that could get worse. Corruption, criminality, militarism, ultra-nationalism, cynicism, greed, etc. have run rampant in the USA, despite the degree of democracy, which by the way, is more and more threatened, especially by people like Trump. 

 

Trump has been leading the right-wing/conservative agenda like a wannabe tyrant. He did say that if he was elected, or “elected,” he would be a dictator on day one. His followers in the U.S. Congress are no less a threat. Think Majorie Taylor Greene, for example. 

 

It goes without saying that Trump has to be convicted of the many crimes he committed. The degree of democracy in the USA depends on it. The verdict in the hush money trial is an encouraging start. But Trump and his followers will of course fight tooth-and-nail to not only try and save him but also to impose their agenda.

 

CNN states that, “Judge Juan Merchan set a sentencing hearing for July 11. Trump’s sentence is up to the judge, and it could include prison time or probation.” Prison time is the obvious choice. Giving Trump probation would be an outrage. 

 

CNN provides a list of 22 witnesses who testified in the hush money trial. Among them were:

 

• “David Pecker – the former CEO of American Media Inc., the National Enquirer’s parent company – was the first witness to testify. After more than 10 hours of testimony across for days, he offered illuminating details into how the infamous tabloid conducted so-called ‘catch and kill’ operations.”

 

• Stormy Daniels – “who’s at the center of the hush money case…Daniels walked the jury through details about her alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 and the $130,000 hush money payment from Trump’s ex-attorney Michael Cohen shortly before the 2016 election.” 

 

• Hope Hicks – “Trump’s longtime former aide, testified about her role as Trump’s campaign press secretary, the aftermath of the “Access Hollywood” tape release and Cohen’s payment to Daniels.”

 

• Gary Farro – “the former banker of Cohen, walked the jury through Cohen’s bank activity around the payment to Daniels.

 

• Jeffrey McConney – a former Trump organization controller testified how Cohen’s payments were listed in Trump’s financial documents.”

 

• Michael Cohen – “Trump’s personal attorney, is at the center of the hush money payment, and hence, was a key witness for the prosecution.”

 

The other 16 witnesses provided further information on Trump’s misdeeds. 

 

Cohen appeared on The Meidas Touch Show to break his silence on the historical criminal verdict against Trump. Cohen’s revelations were an important factor on the witness stand in Trump’s trial.

 

Meidas also provides details of Trump’s tirade after the verdict. He of course had a hissy fit. 

 

According to the BBC, Trump called the verdict a “disgrace.” Trump also asserted that he has support of other Republicans. No doubt, like his MAGA followers. 

 

And NBC said that Trump claimed, “This was all done by Biden’s people. This is done in Washington. No one has ever seen anything like this.”

 

Trump also posted on Truth Social, saying his conviction amounted to a “witch hunt.” And in an email to raise funds, Trump claimed he was a “political prisoner.” This comment is not only laughable but an insult to real political prisoners in the USA.

 

There were two of his followers who also responded to the verdict on X (Twitter). Congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene claimed that it was a “SHAM trial. You don’t see this level of corruption in a banana republic.” Also in denial was Matt Gaetz who claimed, “This verdict is the corrupt result of a corrupt trial, a corrupt judge, and a corrupt DA. We stand with President Trump now more than ever.”

 

House Speaker Mike Johnson, another Trump follower, wrote, “Today is a shameful day in American history. President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict – and he WILL WIN.”

 

 ABC notes the opinions of two other individuals who reflected on the trial. And they are not Trump flunkies: 

 

Michael Cohen said that it was “an important day for accountability and the rule of law. While it has been a difficult journey for me and my family, the truth always matters.”

 

Alvin Bragg said, “These are the kind of cases I’ve done personally, and it’s a hallmark of the tradition of this office that I’m proud to lead. Most importantly, today we had the most important voice of all, and that’s the voice of the jurors. They have spoken. Donald J. Trump has been convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records.”

 

Trump will be sentenced on July 11. Hopefully, Judge Merchan will find him a home in jail. The outrageous irony of this? Even with Trump guilty, he still can run for president.