Donald Trump’s hot air runs out of gas
Over the last several days, Donald J. Trump has increasingly (but falsely) alleged that there were spies in the Trump campaign, calling it “Spygate.” He has since backed off, as has his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Turns out, like so much that comes out of this administration, it is more lies designed to shape public opinion and discredit the critics and federal law enforcement officers.
A recent article in The Guardian confirms it is made up. The article also bolsters the assertion by Leslie Stahl that Trump told her he tells these lies so that when bad stories are published about him, the public (or at least his base) won’t believe the stories. Dangerous tactics from a dangerous president.
In the article, Giuliani stated, “Of course we have to do it to defend the president.” He also states on Sunday morning talk shows why he is pushing this untrue agenda: “It is for public opinion. Because eventually the decision here is going to be impeach or not impeach. Members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, are going to be informed a lot by their constituents. And so our jury – and it should be – is the American people … So Republicans largely, many independents, even some Democrats now question the legitimacy of [the Mueller investigation]. Democrats I would suggest for their own self-interest, this is not a good issue to go into the midterms.”
Every administration spins things to its advantage. What is unique to this administration is the harsh attacks on the media and on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies. Turns out that there was no spy in the Trump campaign- unless they were Russian or selected by him. There were informants but that is a different thing. At the end of the day, this may have to be labeled Trumpedupgate for the continued faking of outrage by Donald Trump.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.