You're reading Jennifer Rubin's subscriber-only newsletter. Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox.
This week, we answer your questions, examine the spate of judicial delays, share outstanding examples of journalism, and cite important legal decisions.
Question from a reader: I think Israel knows what kind of supporter Charles Schumer is. So when he calls new elections, is this a game-changing event? I was very angry when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Republican-controlled Congress during President Barack Obama's administration. Will there be a similar reaction to Schumer's words in Israel?
Answer: This came as quite a shock to some, as the United States and Israel typically avoid influencing each other's domestic politics. Schumer's powerful words, coming from a devoted friend of Israel, should resonate with Israelis who overwhelmingly express dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Netanyahu. What's even more noteworthy is that President Biden praised the speech. (“He gave a good speech. I think he expressed serious concerns that not only he but many Americans share.”) Will Schumer’s and Biden’s comments help speed up Israel’s election? Whether or not that is the case is another matter. Still, it is a long-overdue statement that Netanyahu's tenure as prime minister will endanger Israel's relationship with its most important ally.
Reader Question: On your latest Green Room podcast, your guests started mentioning tribalism and polarization, which I interpret as equality on both sides. There may be an extra one on the left side, but it's much less and less dangerous. I see one side trading in disinformation and the other trying to be rational, objective and consider the evidence. I get easily irritated when differences are trivialized in the name of “balance” or “fairness.”
Follow this authorJennifer Rubin Opinions
Answer: Thank you! As I have written, the term “polarization” implies a false equivalence. Only one party has tried to prevent a peaceful transfer of power, supported a four-time indicted candidate, shielded Vladimir Putin, and shamelessly expressed racism. Let's be frank. The problem is the profound radicalization of many Republicans, which has transformed the once prestigious party into an authoritarian cult of personality.
Question from a reader: How do you engage young voters who may stay home in November because of what's happening in Gaza? They are dissatisfied with being ruled by old white men and know little about what Biden has done because they get most of their news from TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram.
Answer: Eight months from now, it is far from clear that Gaza will be at the top of the minds of young voters, the majority of whom do not attend rallies with high anti-Israel sentiment or attend elite universities. there is no. But what Biden has done: historic investments in green energy, massive student loan forgiveness, and securing the Affordable Care Act (allowing people to follow their parents' plans until age 26) Gaining focus will be the key to changing direction. They go out to vote. Additionally, Democrats are worried about what a Trump presidency will bring, such as a nationwide abortion ban, climate change denial, targeting of LGBTQ+ students, bringing in the military to suppress dissent, and rounding up Dreamers. and expulsion, etc.) must try hard to explain.
Question from a reader: If Trump truly believed he was innocent and had the facts on his side, he would want to go to trial to get a “not guilty” verdict. That would be worth more to him than 12 rallies.
Answer: Too rational! If one claims that “everything is unjust,'' even an “innocent'' person may be “railroaded'' by a “Democratic judge'' or a “left-wing jury.'' do not have. His cultists always treat his hypocrisy as strategic cleverness.
Reader Question: Regarding the E. Jean Carroll decision, I understand that the standards of evidence rules are different in civil and criminal trials. But I don't understand the rationale for the MAGA cult to hang on to these differences, as if Trump isn't actually guilty. Can you explain?
Answer: This is a cult. Leaders cannot do bad things. Bad information cannot be taken at face value.
Reader Question: Now that President Trump has effected the RNC takeover, how do you think this will affect other races, including Senate races, House races, gubernatorial races, and other state and local races? Do you have it? President Trump clearly believes he will only give money to supporters who will advance his agenda, but he also wants to funnel that money into defense and personal maintenance, and he can turn it around. It is doubtful whether there will be sufficient funds.
Answer: Millions of dollars for defense, but not a dime in tribute…err…not a dime to anyone who doesn't benefit Trump personally. If there is anything left over after paying Trump's legal costs, he may reward his closest allies. Most Republicans who voted no should not expect to get a dime from the RNC.
Reader Question: In an alternate world where Trump is impeached and doesn't run, who would the Republican nominee be? Larry Hogan? Chris Sununu? Glenn Youngkin? And will they beat Biden?
Answer: I love alternate history! If Trump had been impeached, it would mean the Republican Party had come to its senses. In such a world, former Vice President Mike Pence might have become a hero and rallied the party. (Talk about an alternate reality!) If Trump had been out of the question, Biden might have been comfortable leaving his party with a free-range primary. That could have given Democrats a fresh face like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. In the Pence vs. Whitmer race, Democrats will have an advantage, especially if MAGA Republicans stay home in a funk.
Many readers expressed frustration with the seemingly endless delays in Trump's criminal case. I hear you. In some cases, prosecutorial missteps (e.g., Attorney General Merrick Garland's foot-dragging, the Southern District of New York's dumping of documents) can cause delays. Sometimes a sloth from the bench ruins the job (e.g. Judge Eileen M. Cannon trudging through a docket case at Mar-a-Lago). And in some cases, this is precisely how due process works, giving defendants every available argument to protect their freedom.
Keep three things in mind. First, it will always be up to voters to end Trump's political career, which would force him to face the legal consequences of his actions. Voters should distance themselves from the idea that the Oval Office can provide sanctuary from justice. Second, judges' discretionary powers have never been clearer. If Trump is elected, there will be a slew of Judge Cannons on the court to thoroughly corrupt the federal courts. And finally, voters need to understand that President Trump's defense of absolute immunity is legal in the sense that “I am above the law.” His attitude toward the presidency itself should be a reason to reject him.
Salon, one of the few news outlets taking Trump's cognitive decline seriously, ran the following headline: “'Experts rush to warn the public': Hundreds weigh in on Dr. John Gartner. 'Sign the Trump Dementia Petition.' “Through the eyes of years of training and experience, they can see signs of President Trump's cognitive decline,” the article's description reads. This is a concise statement of the basic facts surrounding a petition signed by hundreds of mental health experts, pointing out clear signs of Trump's mental dysfunction.
Regarding the recent difficulty with language and the break with reality, Gartner told Salon:
There were other instances in which Trump was unable to complete a sentence and strung together fragments incoherently. It is noteworthy that at this moment his attitude changes dramatically. At one point, Trump made a gibberish sound and struggled to form even a single word. At one event he said: Ahhh. ” At that moment, Mr. Trump let out a long sigh of defeat, stared blankly at the ceiling, and appeared confused and depleted. Finally, Trump sometimes just utters nonsense sounds that are not words at all, like a toddler. For example, at a recent rally, Trump said, “Gang, boom. This is me. I hear a 'bing.' President Trump is literally speaking gibberish, and his supporters and right-wing media interviewers at these rallies express their gratitude as if his words make sense. Nodding. This is very alarming.
Perhaps there is some useful explanation for these episodes. But with the exception of Salon, it is inexcusable that so many media outlets failed to inform their readers about these episodes and discuss President Trump's mental functioning.
The Washington, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected former Trump adviser Peter Navarro's last-ditch effort to avoid jail time on contempt charges for refusing to respond to a House Select Committee subpoena on January 6. Executed quickly. Listing reasons why his claims are moot, the three-judge panel said:
Even if appellant was granted administrative privilege, it does not excuse his failure to fully comply with the subpoena. Appellant did not claim absolute immunity from testimony, and could not do so. Even if the claim of executive privilege had been properly asserted, he would not have been relieved of the obligation to produce nonprivileged documents and appear at depositions to testify on nonprivileged matters. . In fact, the appellant has no obligation to appear in court, (i) to directly invoke the relevant privilege in response to specific questions, and (ii) to answer questions seeking extrajudicial information. The objection was waived. Scope of asserted privilege.
In doing so, the justices sent an important message to Mr. Trump and his allies. “Despite the self-deception that one can ignore the law, torts have consequences.”
We'll be hosting an online chat next week so you can ask us your questions. Questions submitted after next Wednesday will be sent to the following mailbag newsletters:
