Former President Donald Trump was convicted. But these were minor bookkeeping felonies. Read the list of convictions: falsifying expense entries, forging checks, etc. … Any New York businessman could do this and get away with it. Trump was certainly the subject of selective prosecution, but perhaps as a warning to other businessmen, and certainly because of his character and politics.
I'm not impressed because a first offense for these charges typically results in a fine and probation, and Trump probably thinks this is a win-win for him, at least once the sting of a guilty conviction wears off. For him, it should take about a week.
More importantly to me, Trump and his supporters, who have not yet grasped how insignificant a conviction would be, will now be outraged and will campaign even harder, and I would not be surprised if Trump gets a big lead in the polls or even wins.
Democrats are laughing today, but once Trump receives his fine and probation, they will find themselves forming a circular firing squad again.
Meanwhile, I think most thoughtful Republicans will be happy to hear this verdict, read about the upcoming polls, and realize that the worst thing Trump could face is probably two weeks of house arrest at Mar-a-Lago. Cheeseburger included. A win for Trump.
Mike Barrett
Ashburn, Virginia
