Malignant losing demagogue Donald "Big Lie" Trump likes to use the judicial system to draw out and suffocate legal actions against him. From when he was a crooked, deadbeat developer in New York City to his current status anticipating multiple indictments for fraud, racketeering and obstruction, he will tell his lawyers to go the extra mile in filing appeals and delays. His blatant attempt to block the National Archives from releasing official records of his communications on January 6 is just another example.
Two former longtime U.S. Archivists, Don W. Wilson and John W. Carlin, are certain that Trump is hiding records from that infamous day that will put him in prison:
“'Given how frantic they are... there are things in those records that are going to make real trouble. I’m talking about prison time,' Carlin mused to The Daily Beast. 'It reinforces the fact that they know they’re in real trouble if these things are released—particularly if they’re released soon.'
An outgoing president’s White House records go straight to the National Archives and Records Administration, where they could be kept away from the public for up to 12 years. However, President Joe Biden waived that presidential privilege when he allowed the bipartisan House Jan. 6 Committee to request some documents about Trump’s final weeks in office. Trump sued to block that, and his odd claims of 'residual' executive privilege got knocked down by a federal judge who noted 'presidents are not kings' and an appellate panel that found his argument has 'no basis.' This epic fight over records is now reaching the Supreme Court." (our emphasis)
The records are expected to include Trump's attempts to use the Justice Department to force States to invalidate the 2020 election results, and to mobilize his fanatical followers in the House and Senate to block the electoral vote certification. Then there's the question of communications with the so-called "war room" at the Willard Hotel, staffed with seditionists like Steve "Loose Cannon" Bannon and his ilk who may be shown to have directed or coordinated with the rioting domestic terrorists that day. The January 6 Congressional committee will get those records if the Supreme Court, as expected, rejects Trump's obviously flawed claim.
Ironically, it's widely known that Trump wanted to remain as President to claim immunity from prosecution and stay out of jail, when his actions toward that end may eventually send him there.
(photo illustration: New Year's wish)
