The Crimes of Donald Trump

What we cannot punish him for

• his stupidity
• his racism
• his mental state
• his followers or"Trumpism" - it is up to GOP to get beyond that.

The perfect phone call

• Was the Ukraine call really about interfering with the 2020 election or with stopping military aid to Ukraine to be used against Russia
• Question of criminalizing foreign policy
• Would surrendering East Ukraine to Russians be a defensible policy absent bribery and the invasion by Russia?
• Putinism in the form of following Putin scheme
• Campaign finance or bribery?
• Could Trump have concocted the Ukraine scheme himself or did he have help from Moscow?

Criminal penalties

• Obstruction of Justice has a maximum of eight years and includes a terrorism enhancer and maximums of up 20 to 40 years
• Bribery has maximum of 15 years and includes public official enhancers and loss of ability to run for office
• Seditious conspiracy is up to 20 years

Trump's motivations

• Hiding Russian bribery
• Myth he cannot be prosecuted in office
• In for a Penny, in for a Pound
• Civil Asset Forfeiture

Local charges

• Statue of limitations for money laundering already expired
• Feds would keep him if convicted, but may convict others

Trump under arrest already?

• Currently under protective custody by Secret Service
• Likely would not be allowed to travel to Russia to escape punishment
• Psych evaluation likely after arrest with long term care after conviction
• Secret Service protection while incarcerated
• Presidential incarceration in usual federal correctional center unlikely
• Aside from stain of conviction, would his life change much after conviction?
• Plea deal likely, which is cause for the delay

Higher value targets

• Trump is overweight, old and is of diminished capacity - may not even live to see a plea deal
• Is it better to waste resources on Trump or try those who worked for him on his staff and in Congress?
• Giving others a pass to convict Trump when conviction changes little too high a price