By Brian Daitzman
“Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”
- George Orwell, 1984
Former President Donald Trump, the first U.S. President to be impeached twice, the first U.S. President to be found liable for defaming his rape victim, the first U.S. President to attempt to overturn a democratic election, and the first President who launched a failed coup attempt, was recently found guilty of thirty-four felony counts by a jury in New York City. Following this, the Republican Party, which claims to be the party of law and order, has responded in a manner that starkly contrasts with its proclaimed values.
While claiming to be the party of law and order, the Republicans engage in a sickening display of sycophancy, betraying any sense of law and order. Elected Republicans have been quick to dismiss the guilty verdict. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) denounced the trial as a "purely political exercise, not a legal one" and referred to the charges as "ridiculous" and the verdict as "absurd," asserting that Trump would rightfully appeal and win. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) called the verdict "a complete and total SHAM" and claimed it was an act of election interference. Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) went so far as to declare, "Lawfare has reached its Waterloo. A reckoning is coming for the gangster government."
Despite the ample protections and opportunities Donald Trump had during his trial, the GOP's narrative continues to undermine the judicial process. Trump was given every opportunity to present his defense. Remarkably, he was found in contempt a record ten times yet faced no detention—a leniency rarely extended to lower-income defendants who might be detained pending trial for a single act of contempt. Additionally, Trump attacked the judge and even targeted the judge's family with unfounded conspiracy theories, actions that would typically result in detention for other defendants. His attorneys also engaged in conduct that could have earned them sanctions, but Judge Merchan, knowing his orders would be appealed, chose not to sanction them to ensure Trump had every possible opportunity to defend himself, a rare accommodation in the legal system.
Moreover, Republicans are following a man who, even before his presidency, was involved in over 4,000 legal disputes despite running a relatively small family business compared to Fortune 500 companies. To put this in perspective, an average Fortune 500 company faces significantly fewer lawsuits over a similar period. Even other real estate and casino magnates, like Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts or Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands, face far fewer legal battles despite their companies' substantial operations and revenues. On average, Trump and his businesses faced a new lawsuit approximately every 2.7 days over the course of 30 years, highlighting the incredible volume of legal disputes involved.
Trump's legal history includes numerous controversies and alleged illegal activities. These range from the failed Trump SoHo hotel project, which led to allegations of fraud and deceptive sales practices, to Trump University, a for-profit education company that was sued for defrauding students and settled for $25 million. The Trump Foundation was found to have engaged in self-dealing and other illegal activities, leading to its dissolution. Additionally, Trump's involvement in a hotel project in Azerbaijan allegedly violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act due to links with corrupt officials. He was also accused of withholding payment from a widow who owned a limo company in Atlantic City, and there were allegations of mafia ties and other illegal activities related to a limo garage.
This moral hypocrisy is not lost on observers. The party's transformation into a group that selectively applies the principles of law and order based on political convenience is reminiscent of Orwellian doublespeak. The foundational principle that no one is above the law is being sacrificed at the altar of party loyalty and blind allegiance to Trump.
Historically, the jury system has been a hallmark of American democracy, ensuring that justice is administered by a representative cross-section of society. This verdict, delivered through due process, is a testament to the strength and integrity of the legal system. Yet, the GOP's rejection of this outcome signals a dangerous shift towards authoritarianism, where the rule of law is subservient to the whims of a singular figure.
As the Republican Party continues to champion Trump despite his legal troubles, it begs the question: What does "law and order" truly mean to them? Is it a genuine commitment to justice or merely a convenient slogan used to rally support? The answer seems increasingly clear as they navigate the post-verdict landscape, prioritizing political expediency over principled governance.
In this pivotal moment, the GOP's actions speak louder than their rhetoric. By opposing the jury's decision, they are not just defending Trump—they are fundamentally altering the perception of law and order in the United States. This Orwellian reality, where the party of law and order campaigns against a lawful verdict, poses a profound challenge to the integrity of the American justice system and the democratic principles it upholds.
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