"... I think this sordid case is merely the first motion in a lengthy legal drama (criminal and civil) that will continue until Trump’s death, and quite likely beyond it. Election fraud. January 6th. State cases. Federal cases. Civil cases. The fraudulent nature of his business. The depths of the criminality of Trump and his family - his company and his gang of political collaborators - will eventually be explored in court. That’s truly unprecedented.
"And the reason is this: Trump tried to destroy American democracy.
"Since Gettysburg, no one has come closer to succeeding. Trump and his extremist racketeers represent the high water mark of radical right wing authoritarianism in this country. They are part of a nearly global movement to crush democratic values and install a neo-fascist order in major industrialized nations. You can see the patterns not just in Russia, where Trump’s hero-father figure Vladimir Putin (and co-conspirator) rules with terror, but in democracies like India, Brazil, Israel and Turkey. There are hints and political successes in France, Germany, England and Italy. We’re not alone, but it’s cold comfort..." -- Tom Watson, Substack, on "What Trump's Indictment Really Means," and the high stakes for American democracy in defeating fascism here at home. Every Republican wanting to be successful in politics is cowardly defending the Malignant Loser's lawlessness and corruption. Nearly every Republican- dominated state is fighting against democracy, women's rights, and gains in diversity, equality and inclusion. They represent a vocal and dangerous minority in this country, and in most of the other democracies noted above. Their potential for creating existential damage can't be underestimated, but neither should be our resolve to stop them.
