Donald Trump often takes the breath away with his defiance of the basic norms of American public life. (See: January 6th.) But sometimes it’s the smaller encroachments on decency that serve as a reminder of how far outside the bounds he operates. “Can you control your client?” Judge Arthur Engoron demanded of Trump’s lawyer, during the former President’s testimony on Monday in Manhattan, where he stands accused of running a fraudulent business in the state of New York. “This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom.” Later, after yet another Trump soliloquy in response to a yes-or-no question, Engoron repeated his entreaty. “I beseech you,” the judge said, “to control him if you can.”
I mean unironically yeah. They can basically ignore a significant part of the electorate with the threat of the Republicans coming into power if those voters don’t capitulate on their interests and vote Democrat. It’s a hostage situation.
You’re not describing anything new. This has been the only reason to actually vote democratic my entire life. I mean, it’s also the Republican messaging. Hats not exactly any way to elect the best government.