I’ve read the opinion in the absolute immunity case. It’s so good that I stole the post title from it. I’m not the only one, so did Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord for their podcast, Prosecuting Donald Trump.
This ringing quote from the opinion is why The Puppetmaster and I are yet again on the same page:
“Former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant. But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.”
The fact that it’s an unsigned per curiam opinion enhances its power. The judges are speaking with one voice in rejecting the fakakta claims advanced by the Indicted Impeached Insult Comedian. Any case in which the client is in charge is problematical, especially when the client is a deranged lunatic willing to burn the country down to save his ass.
Shorter Adrastos: The judges had the hammer and they brought it down on Trump’s head with great force.
I promised detailed legal analysis in my instant analysis post. I’ve decided to do something different as is my wont and way. Why not? I dig making lists.
My name is Adrastos and I’m a listaholic.
Instead of one top ten list, I have two. Both use one word to describe aspects of the absolute immunity case.
The Top Ten Words That Describe Trump’s Arguments
NUMBER-10: Dubious
NUMBER-9: Doomed
NUMBER-8: Deranged
NUMBER-7: Preposterous
NUMBER-6: Ridiculous
NUMBER-5: Ludicrous
NUMBER-4: Illogical
NUMBER-3: Insane
NUMBER-2: Nutty
NUMBER-1: Crazy
I’m not done yet. When Listomania strikes, I go for the gusto even if it’s too early to have a beer.
The Top Ten Words That Describe The Court’s Opinion
NUMBER-10: Sound
NUMBER-9: Solid
NUMBER-8: Airtight
NUMBER-7: Bulletproof
NUMBER-6: Logical
NUMBER-5: Rational
NUMBER-4: Wise
NUMBER-3: Sensible
NUMBER-2: Judicious
NUMBER-1: Affirmed
Affirmed is the last word of the opinion. In this context, it’s the most beautiful word in the language.
The ball is now in the Supreme Court’s, uh, court. It’s more like a hand grenade. Choosing to hear the case would be like pulling the pin and destroying the already damaged reputation of the Roberts Court. KABOOM.
There is no way Team Trump’s arguments can prevail: the Supremes have ruled against his excessive executive privilege claims before, and they’d do it again in this case. But delay is Trump’s ally. An innocent politician would want a speedy trial to be vindicated before election day. He does not. What does that tell you? The fucker is guilty. What’s more, he knows he’s guilty and cannot win the election if he’s a convicted felon.
None of the current justices were on the court when Bush vs. Gore was decided, then derided. The court should remand this turd for trial so it can be decided before the election.
In the immortal words of the Kaiser of Chaos’ favorite immoral president:
And so we wait.
The last word goes to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers:
The waiting truly is the hardest part.