As yesterday’s events unfolded, no one can predict the outcome. It’s not an exaggeration to describe it as a life and death moment for America. Literally. The Republicans had already gone all in on Trumpism, Texas-Hold’em style. After trying to back out gradually in favor of wannabe fuehrers like Ron DeSantis, they have just been pulled back in. In a very real sense, the Democrats have also been forced to go “all-in” on nailing Trump on his theft and espionage of nuclear secrets.
A Nuclear Bombshell
The now public revelations that the FBI warrant to search Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence were based on a theft of classified nuclear related documents are a nuclear bombshell dropped on America! This matter could easily result in desperate Republicans lying more extensively about the 2020 election and trying to whip their supporters into a violent frenzy. This is the danger. Garland’s release of the warrant has temporarily put a roadblock in the path of the Republicans. I have no doubt that the FBI was actually looking for classified nuclear documents. Their hand was forced along by the gravity of the situation.
Media Coverage Matters
Unfortunately, the resolution of the scandal and the victor actually rests to a significant degree with the corporate media. Where they come down depends on how they choose to spin to the country on this monumental and historic development. And what they say or do not say or choose to report and who they think is winning. The corporate media is addicted to an alleged neutrality between the parties. It has a tendency to favor Republicans on certain matters anyway and will faithfully report the lies the Republicans make daily and the violence they are advocating, usually without comment or blame. This essentially normalizes their fascistic behavior and elevates it in importance beyond its actual strength.
It’s essential for the Democrats, not just progressive sources, to counter these lies with facts that can counter these lies and distortions on a daily basis. Garland releasing the warrant details was a very good first step. Sometimes I think that the Democratic leadership strategy to not respond in kind is deliberate. An attempt, from their point of view, not to engage the Republicans in escalation, thinking that is just what they want them to do, stir things up. While the latter may be true, not responding forcefully only emboldens them to continue wreaking havoc on the nation. They have been engaged in a state’s rights war against the Federal Government and the Democrats for some time now and most here at KOS realize the critical nature of the situation.
The media acts in some ways like a real-life shadow government, not the imagined one Republicans are fond of inventing. It tends to portray Trump and the Republicans as entities equal to and as legitimate as the elected federal government. Especially if the Democrats responses are weak.
Safe Contents
We also do not for sure know what other classified documents were among the 10 boxes not previously returned as requested that were reportedly found. In reading the warrant and judging by the fact that specific box numbers were mentioned, it is clear that Trump refused to give back almost half of what he took. Plus, the fact that they knew there was a safe in the basement suggests someone close to Trump was the source.
Anyone’s guess as to who. The issue of the humongous payment (reported to be 2 billion dollars!) forked over to Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners by the Saudis makes him and Ivanka a possibility. It’s no secret that the Saudis were interested in developing a nuclear weapons program. Could they both be in trouble over that deal and turned on the grand orange to protect themselves?
It’s not hard to image what the Republicans might attempt if the evidence sought is not rock solid enough. They would likely spin more paranoid lies and wild conspiracy theories. And even do their best to sabotage the mid-terms if they feel they are going to lose big by turning their demented followers lose. This would be entirely consistent with past behavior.
America’s Dr. Strangelove Confesses?
I started writing this article before learning that Trump is apparently confessing, spaghetti on the wall style. By rambling first that the FBI may have planted the classified nuclear documents, followed immediately by falsely claiming that “President Barack Hussein Obama kept 33 million pages of documents, much of them classified." (They were actually approved by the National Archives for his library, were not sent to him and obviously did not contain nuclear secrets). Then he babbled that he had the power to wave his hand and declassify the records anyway. He also floated the lie that every president does “it”, referring to documents which included those marked top secret that were taken.
Trump’s statement is functionally equivalent to a confession or fallback position implying that they did find classified documents and top-secret nuclear ones that he took with him after leaving the White House. It looks like he will quickly shift to downplaying the importance of what was found and away for the planting business. I don’t think the nonsense that he was permitted to declassify them merely by waving his hand will fly. Another interesting point is that Trump most assuredly had surveillance cameras at Mar-a-Logo. He should be challenged to produce them and the evidence of planting he claims. I also assume that the FBI photographed where and how the records were found. But don’t hold your breath to see any of Trump’s “evidence.”
Trump’s Future?
I don’t think he will be very successful stirring up his violent supporters on a large scale, but he’s all the Republicans got at this point, and they can be expected to do it for him. This may be a battle to the political death that takes place before the election. They are also likely dreaming up some conspiracy theory to divide the country over his theft of government and nuclear documents.
It’s a debatable issue whether someone like DeSantis can take his place or beat him in the primaries if Trump avoids conviction or is not in jail and runs. It’s tempting to let Trump run and loose again. Much depends on events yet to come. And whether the Democrats have any new faces to run that can replace Biden and excite enough voters to win in 2024.