Trump: Ordinary Citizen And Felon

And what would Jimmy Carter do?

Trump and his lawyers. One of my live-drawings from the Manhattan hush-money trial presided over by Judge Merchan. I was in the spill-over journalist room down the hall from the courtroom where Trump sat, and I drew this from a large monitor

“Donald Trump the ordinary citizen, Donald Trump the criminal defendant” was sentenced today by Judge Juan Merchan. The judge calmly said that there was nothing special about the defendant in the case, he was just one of many whom he sentenced in that courtoom last year. This probably infurated Trump, who is wont to be special at all times. He appeared remotely in court today with his lawyer and spent a good deal of time accusing the court and the system of bias and corruption, and claimed that winning the election (by a landslide, he thinks) was evidence that the people believed he was innocent. He repeated how “very unfairly” he had been treated and what a disgrace it all was to New York.

Merchan ruled that Trump was not afforded protection from the recent ruling by the Supreme Court over Presidential Immunity because this case was about Trump as a citizen. It had nothing to do with his former presidential duties. Here is a portion of Judge Merchan’s remarks.

“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances. Indeed, it can be viewed fairly that this has been a truly extraordinary case. ... And yet the trial was a bit of a paradox, because once the courtroom doors were closed, the trial itself was no more special, unique or extraordinary than the other 32 criminal trials that took place in this courthouse at the same exact time.”

“The protections afforded the office of the president are not a mitigating factor. They do not reduce the seriousness of the crime or justify its commission in any way ... one power they do not provide is the power to erase a jury verdict. It is clear from legal precedent ... that Donald Trump, the ordinary citizen, Donald Trump, the criminal defendant, would not be entitled to such considerable protections.”

“This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge. ... Therefore, at this time, I impose that sentence to cover all 34 counts. Sir, I wish you Godspeed as you assume your second term in office. Thank you.”

In the NYC courthouse for this trail to live-draw it, when I first heard Judge Merchan’s voice, I was struck by his gentle and calm tone. I suggest you listen to the audio of his remarks, here, and you will see what I mean. He ran his courtroom with a zen-like focus, and did so fairly.

I didn’t plan on writing about the funeral for President Carter, but watching the footage of the five Presidents together was so telling. Trump acted like a teenager who had been seated at the “cool table.” He looked awkward and anxious for approval. He stared down Kamala Harris, who certainly saw his stare, but refused to return his look. Mike Pence shook his hand, but Pence’s wife would not acknowledge Trump. I didn’t see it, but apparently George Bush didn’t acknowledge Trump. Obama was seated next to Trump, and chatted with him—I don’t understand how, and wish I knew what they talked about. Michelle Obama was the only First Lady not in attendance. Part of me wonders if it was because she knew she would have to be near Trump, and could not deal with having to acknowledge him in any way.

I was talking about our political envoironment today with my friend and fellow journalist Kate Woodsome. Kate was part of the Wapo team to cover Jan 6 and received a Pulitzer for their coverage (she has a really great Substack). Our country is dangerously divided. I wonder how I might behaved if I had been one of those people in the row with Trump. I don’t know.

Do I also ask myself, what would Jimmy Carter do?

The point I want to make here is that I don’t hate Trump voters, but I cannot stomach Trump the man. I think this might be how we try to heal.

Thanks for being here, see you tomorrow. I think I’ll try to go live tomorrow.