Everyone is getting EVERYTHING wrong about this supposed “Trump has delayed his Alvin Bragg New York criminal trial” story
I told you all along that Donald Trump would not be able to magically delay his New York criminal trial just because he felt like it; nothing works that way. Instead we’re seeing something very different playing out today, as Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg just signaled that he’s open to the possibility of delaying the trial by thirty days. Let’s be clear about what this does and doesn’t mean.
First, this is only a possible delay; the judge ultimately makes that decision. Second, this delay is only being considered because more documents just surfaced in the case. In this kind of case, more evidence is nearly always good for the prosecution, not the defense. So Trump’s odds of conviction just went up.
Third, if Alvin Bragg is fine with this possible delay, then you should be too. What’s the difference between Trump’s trial beginning on March 25th or April 24th? Nothing. He’ll still be going into the Republican National Convention as a convicted felon with a prison sentence hanging over his head. And such a shift won’t keep Trump’s other trials from beginning in the timeframes that they’re aiming for.
So there’s really no downside to this possible delay, and some potential upside in terms of evidence. The only reason for anyone to be disappointed is if they were looking forward to watching Trump’s criminal trial for entertainment value. As I’ve said many times before, the criminal justice system is not for entertainment value, and anyone who treats it as such is bound to be disappointed.
Today’s news is not bad news, no matter how much doomsday hysteria performance art we might end up seeing today from the pundits on TV and Twitter who consider it their job to convince you that we’re all doomed so you’ll stare transfixed at your screen. There’s a reason I keep telling everyone to turn that shit off. Those types will automatically tell you that we’re doomed no matter what it is or what it means.
Finally, let’s keep in mind that today’s news is further proof that Donald Trump does not have a magic wand. Did we see him managing to delay the trial against the wishes of prosecutors? Absolutely not. Trump has been sitting there helpless all this time, filing nonsense motions that didn’t delay the trial by a single day. And now it turns out that if the trial is delayed by thirty days, it’ll be because the prosecutor thinks it’s a wise move. Alvin Bragg has power in this trial, Donald Trump does not. We’re going to keep seeing that pattern play out.
