The Obvious Conclusion

 "I have never obstructed justice...I am not a crook." - Richard M. Nixon, Nov. 17, 1973

"I have no idea what a burner phone is, to the best of my knowledge I have never even heard the term." - Donald J. Trump, March 29, 2022

(In his lawsuit against his niece Mary L Trump and the NY Times, he used the term "burner phone" at least 3 times.)

The dark, fetid and dirty pool of Trump’s Sedition Cartel is overflowing, spilling into the light of day the obvious facts of his January 6 coup. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. 

Bob Woodward and Robert Costa report:

“The lack of an official White House notation of any calls placed to or by Trump for 457 minutes on Jan. 6, 2021 — from 11:17 a.m. to 6:54 p.m. — means the [Jan. 6] committee has no record of his phone conversations as his supporters descended on the Capitol, battled overwhelmed police and forcibly entered the building, prompting lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence to flee for safety.”

“The House panel is now investigating whether Trump communicated that day through backchannels, phones of aides or personal disposable phones, known as ‘burner phones,’ according to two people with knowledge of the probe.” (Trump said in a statement that he doesn't know what a burner phone is.)

U.S. District Court Judge David Carter made this determination in a ruling that orders 101 emails from Trump ally and consigliere John Eastman be turned over to the House’s Jan. 6 select committee.

 “Dr. Eastman and President Trump launched a campaign to overturn a democratic election, an action unprecedented in American history. Their campaign was not confined to the ivory tower — it was a coup in search of a legal theory. The plan spurred violent attacks on the seat of our nation’s government, led to the deaths of several law enforcement officers, and deepened public distrust in our political process.... If Dr. Eastman and President Trump’s plan had worked, it would have permanently ended the peaceful transition of power, undermining American democracy and the Constitution. If the country does not commit to investigating and pursuing accountability for those responsible, the Court fears January 6 will repeat itself.”

 "The illegality of the plan was obvious. Our nation was founded on the peaceful transition of power, epitomized by George Washington laying down his sword to make way for democratic elections. Ignoring this history, President Trump vigorously campaigned for the vice president to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election...Based on the evidence, the Court finds it more likely than not that President Trump corruptly attempted to obstruct the Joint Session of Congress on January 6, 2021."

How obvious can it be?

The secret calls and missing phone records, by being deliberately withheld, can only suggest criminal obstruction and criminal intent.

 "Stop the steal" can have only one meaning. Overturn the election.

 "It will be wild" can only suggest what he was instigating would NOT be civil, peaceful, or legal.

 The marching orders were clear.

 "...they need to take back our country...so let’s walk down Pennsylvania Ave.”

 Refusing to order his mob to stop can only indicate he desired it to happen and hoped his coup would succeed.

"You're special, we love you" can only mean he approved of them and their actions.

The obvious conclusion?

Guilty, guilty, guilty.

Orders From His Master

 

The Party of Putin is finally scrambling to whitewash their fealty to Putin and their dependence on Russian/NRA money. The only way for any semblance of American democracy to survive will be for Republicans to repudiate both Putin and Trump.

We won’t be holding our breath for the latter, but finally Trump’s idol has revealed his true darkness and evil.

There shouldn’t be any more lies about Trump not having ties to Russian banks and other business deals in the works. Clearly the Russian mob and their dirty money were welcomed in Trump Tower.

When Trump’s sycophantic Lindsay Graham calls for the “Caesar Solution” for Putin, we know Republicans’ love for Putin has taken a turn.

And I don't think there will be sales bump of those "I'd rather be Russian than a Democrat" t-shirts.

Ukraine is paying a terrible cost for standing against Putin. His nuclear weapons are his leverage for his bloody war to make Russia great again.

The US will also be suffering the consequences of Putin’s “war by other means” against us for years to come.

Putin won his war by other means against Britain when he helped push them into Brexit.

If you want to call this “genius”, then be sure to add “diabolical” to the word.

Lately I'm thinking Putin gave Trump his marching orders in Helsinki. The world saw the Big MAGAt standing with bowed head, and siding with Putin against our intelligence agencies.

It's not a stretch to assume more instructions were given in their secret meetings. He would know what would work best to divide and disempower the United States.

I’m convinced Putin likely told Trump to do him the following “favors”:

Let him have Ukraine.

Extort Ukraine to support his reelection.

Blame Ukraine instead of Russia for interfering in the 2016 election.

Call Democrats communists.

And to NEVER admit to losing the 2020 election.

This has to be Putin's favorite tool to destabilize and cripple American democracy.

Whether by specific instructions or just suggestions, Putin got his way with Trump.