The "Stone Plan" Sank Like One

The sinister and creepy long-time dirty trickster Roger Stone is the subject of a documentary, "A Storm Foretold," that tracks his activities over a two-year plus period, including the bogus "stop the steal" effort, and his activities on January 6. On that day, as the violent Trumpist insurrection was unfolding, Stone and fellow right-wing extremists including deranged Trump consigliere Rudy "Toot Toot" Giuliani and his felonious sidekick Bernie Kerik, were holed up in the Trumpist command center in Washington's famed Willard Hotel, watching coverage and coordinating with the White House and others. The Washington Post has a fascinating, and lengthy, look at the documentary, and several passages stand out, including one that exemplifies Stone's slippery cowardice:

"As a mob ransacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Roger Stone, Donald Trump’s longest-serving political adviser, hurried to pack a suitcase inside his elegant suite on the fifth floor of the Willard hotel. He wrapped his tailored suits in trash bags, reversed his black face mask so its “Free Roger Stone” logo was hidden, then slipped out of town for a hastily arranged private flight from Dulles International Airport.

'I really want to get out of here,' Stone told an aide, as they were filmed at the hotel by a Danish camera crew for a documentary on the veteran Republican operative. Stone said he feared prosecution by the incoming attorney general, Merrick Garland. 'He is not a friend,' Stone said. " (our emphasis)

Of course, as the article goes on to point out, on the eve of the 2020 election he was all for violence should the Malignant Loser be defeated.

After the January 6 deadly riot, Stone, realizing his part in organizing the day's event made him vulnerable to legal action, looked for the cover of a Trump pardon, i.e. the "Stone Plan":

"After he left Washington, Stone lobbied for Trump to enact the 'Stone Plan' — a blanket presidential pardon to shield himself, Trump’s allies in Congress and 'the America First movement' from prosecution for trying to overturn the election, according to the footage and additional documents reviewed by The Post.

But the plan, along with a bid by Stone to win pardons for other Trump backers including convicted mobsters, was ultimately thwarted by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, Stone said in several conversations that were filmed." (our emphasis)

Those conversations are full of angry recriminations against the Malignant Loser's staff, and the Malignant Loser himself, including one on the day of President Biden's inauguration when he realized no pardon for him was forthcoming:

"In an Inauguration Day call with a friend, Stone directed his rage at the man who had confided in him and consulted with him for decades, denouncing Trump as 'a disgrace' and expressing support for him to be impeached. 'He betrayed everybody,' Stone said."  (our emphasis)

Yes, he betrayed his supporters, although few of them have admitted it. The article is a fascinating look into the sewer of Roger Stone's mind, if you can bear the stench.

BONUS:  Roll the tape, via Crooks and Liars:

(photo: Sorry, the role of The Penguin's been filled, but nice try)