truly you weren't a moment too soon in jumping the twitter ship for substack... genuinely insane over there... thanks for encouraging my (and others') migration!
I was around when Ford pardoned Nixon. I was a Junior in high school and I remember that Ford’s decision to grant the disgraced former President clemency was very controversial, with the majority of Americans believing that it was some sort of “corrupt bargain” that elevated Ford to the presidency in exchange for Nixon’s resignation.
Ford appeared before a House judiciary committee in October 1974 and explained the pardon by saying “I was absolutely convinced that if we had had an indictment, a trial, a conviction and anything else that transpired after this that the attention of the President, the Congress and the American people would have been diverted from the problems that we had to solve.”
The unpopular decision was a contributing factor to the Republican loss of 43 seats in the House and 3 on the Senate. Lingering public resentment over the pardon also played a significant part in Ford’s loss to Jimmy Carter on the 1976 presidential election.
In 2001, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation awarded the Profile in Courage Award to Ford for his pardon of Nixon. In presenting the award to Ford, Senator Ted Kennedy said that he had been initially opposed to the pardon, but later stated that history had proven Ford to have made the correct decision. Many people believe that Ford placed love of country ahead of his own political future and brought needed closure to the divisive Watergate affair.
Now, do I think Trump should be pardoned if found guilty of the numerous transgressions he is accused of? Hell no! Like you Janie, I believe in accountability. But I do fear that these upcoming trials will add to the extreme divisiveness that plagues our country. We need to focus on what unites us instead of what tears us apart.
Janie, I love this Substack (and your podcast with Paul) and the great takes that you have all around. I agree with everything that you say here and would add that Weisselberg totes flipped. They put him in Rikers for 100 days with an option for more time there unless he flipped, which he must have done, because who wouldn’t flip under those circumstances. And how else did the charge get to 34 counts? Sunlight is the great disinfectant. This is going to be a long and drawn out disinfecting process, but let the sunshine in!
It's important to keep in mind that it could be a year or more before this goes to trial. Some news stories are pointing to the case filed against the Trump Organization in 2021 took almost 15 months before going to trial.
Agreed. I think most of us understand that, but we’re just so happy to see something happen. Like I’m not even sure it’s really gonna do anything, just happy to see him indicted.
I hope he’s executed for treason. He has weaseled and cheated his way out of every consequence he has deserved before. Attempting to overthrow the government to soothe his bruised ego is just insane. If Biden pardons him or in any way tries to “heal the country” the way Ford excused Nixon, I’ll be furious
Hi Janie. First and foremost, I love you. I have mixed feelings about this indictment because the last eight years have shown us that nothing good ever happens when Trump is involved. I wanted to pass along words of wisdom that I heard from an opinion writer whose name sadly escapes me. (I think she works for Washington Post but that's as close as I can recall.) Trump supporters want to see liberals suffer, whereas liberals just want to go back to a time when we could safely ignore Trump supporters. I think that's true and I think it sometimes makes us overlook just how bleak it is on the other side. P.S. I love you.
Trumpers just want to own the libs. That’s all they care about. They’ll vote for anyone or anything that rustles the jimmies of the left. We won’t be rid of them for a long time.
Yes they are vocal about wanting to see their fellow citizens suffer, no secret there if you’re even remotely online at all. Personally I just possess different core values than those that seek the suffering of others. I can’t speak to the fate of their souls for that nefarious desire, but why should his henchmen be the only ones serving or have served time? Divisiveness aside, there’s also fairness to consider…
two kinds of people (not to be reductive, but basically): those who convert suffering into bitterness, and those who convert it into compassion. you'll find this is a pretty reliable indicator of right-wing or left-wing values.
Like you I really hope this actually goes somewhere. I truly don't understand how anyone can see that immature, child of a man and think he's a good leader when he can't even admit to his mistakes. My dude, mistakes are how we grow as humans and we all make them. When you just deny and make excuses you sound like a impudent child throwing a tantrum, why would ANYONE want someone so immature (let alone intellectually speaking an absolute fool) to lead a country or have access to nuclear arms?! He should have face the music a while ago. Will that actually happen? Probably not unfortunately, but lets all keep our fingers crossed that this fool finally reaps what he has sown. 🤞🏼
truly you weren't a moment too soon in jumping the twitter ship for substack... genuinely insane over there... thanks for encouraging my (and others') migration!
excited for substack notes
Thanks for taking my inside thoughts and putting them in better words on the outside.
Well-written and thoughtful post. I am loving these takes from Janie! I read it again after yesterday's events.
Wow! THANK you!!!
Re: Nixon’s pardon. It’s complicated.
I was around when Ford pardoned Nixon. I was a Junior in high school and I remember that Ford’s decision to grant the disgraced former President clemency was very controversial, with the majority of Americans believing that it was some sort of “corrupt bargain” that elevated Ford to the presidency in exchange for Nixon’s resignation.
Ford appeared before a House judiciary committee in October 1974 and explained the pardon by saying “I was absolutely convinced that if we had had an indictment, a trial, a conviction and anything else that transpired after this that the attention of the President, the Congress and the American people would have been diverted from the problems that we had to solve.”
The unpopular decision was a contributing factor to the Republican loss of 43 seats in the House and 3 on the Senate. Lingering public resentment over the pardon also played a significant part in Ford’s loss to Jimmy Carter on the 1976 presidential election.
In 2001, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation awarded the Profile in Courage Award to Ford for his pardon of Nixon. In presenting the award to Ford, Senator Ted Kennedy said that he had been initially opposed to the pardon, but later stated that history had proven Ford to have made the correct decision. Many people believe that Ford placed love of country ahead of his own political future and brought needed closure to the divisive Watergate affair.
Now, do I think Trump should be pardoned if found guilty of the numerous transgressions he is accused of? Hell no! Like you Janie, I believe in accountability. But I do fear that these upcoming trials will add to the extreme divisiveness that plagues our country. We need to focus on what unites us instead of what tears us apart.
Janie, I love this Substack (and your podcast with Paul) and the great takes that you have all around. I agree with everything that you say here and would add that Weisselberg totes flipped. They put him in Rikers for 100 days with an option for more time there unless he flipped, which he must have done, because who wouldn’t flip under those circumstances. And how else did the charge get to 34 counts? Sunlight is the great disinfectant. This is going to be a long and drawn out disinfecting process, but let the sunshine in!
Here’s hoping that Trump is eventually convicted and imprisoned for his numerous misdeeds. Then he can join the J6 Prison Choir! Justice For All!
It's important to keep in mind that it could be a year or more before this goes to trial. Some news stories are pointing to the case filed against the Trump Organization in 2021 took almost 15 months before going to trial.
Agreed. I think most of us understand that, but we’re just so happy to see something happen. Like I’m not even sure it’s really gonna do anything, just happy to see him indicted.
The Daily Show had the best take "Congrats to Donald Trump on finally winning a majority of votes!"
Let's hope he wins more of these....
That killed me
I hope he’s executed for treason. He has weaseled and cheated his way out of every consequence he has deserved before. Attempting to overthrow the government to soothe his bruised ego is just insane. If Biden pardons him or in any way tries to “heal the country” the way Ford excused Nixon, I’ll be furious
So exciting! A long time coming (far too long, actually)
Hi Janie. First and foremost, I love you. I have mixed feelings about this indictment because the last eight years have shown us that nothing good ever happens when Trump is involved. I wanted to pass along words of wisdom that I heard from an opinion writer whose name sadly escapes me. (I think she works for Washington Post but that's as close as I can recall.) Trump supporters want to see liberals suffer, whereas liberals just want to go back to a time when we could safely ignore Trump supporters. I think that's true and I think it sometimes makes us overlook just how bleak it is on the other side. P.S. I love you.
Trumpers just want to own the libs. That’s all they care about. They’ll vote for anyone or anything that rustles the jimmies of the left. We won’t be rid of them for a long time.
Yes they are vocal about wanting to see their fellow citizens suffer, no secret there if you’re even remotely online at all. Personally I just possess different core values than those that seek the suffering of others. I can’t speak to the fate of their souls for that nefarious desire, but why should his henchmen be the only ones serving or have served time? Divisiveness aside, there’s also fairness to consider…
two kinds of people (not to be reductive, but basically): those who convert suffering into bitterness, and those who convert it into compassion. you'll find this is a pretty reliable indicator of right-wing or left-wing values.
Every time Stormy and Trump get mentioned, I think of Toad from the Mario games.
Can’t wait for the live chats! 🥂
Here’s hopin that pos see’s actual Jail time. If nothing else I just hope he won’t be able to run for pres again.
Like you I really hope this actually goes somewhere. I truly don't understand how anyone can see that immature, child of a man and think he's a good leader when he can't even admit to his mistakes. My dude, mistakes are how we grow as humans and we all make them. When you just deny and make excuses you sound like a impudent child throwing a tantrum, why would ANYONE want someone so immature (let alone intellectually speaking an absolute fool) to lead a country or have access to nuclear arms?! He should have face the music a while ago. Will that actually happen? Probably not unfortunately, but lets all keep our fingers crossed that this fool finally reaps what he has sown. 🤞🏼
This is so kind thank you. I love her as well, I subscribe to her Civil Discourse substack her and occasionally listen to the SISTERS IN LAW podcast.