Trump rants:“Chandler Hall, representing, on Television, the foolish Center for American Lack of Progress, stated that adding the National Guard to Cities, including our now Great Again, Washington, D.C., had ‘NO impact on Crime.’ How crazy is that,” Trump posted.
“Hall was met with furious dissent. The report is just another Radical Left SCAM, as are the people who fund this gaggle of Lunatics, including George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, Google, Apple, Visa, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, WellsFargo, Bank of America, Walmart, Toyota, T-Mobile, and NBC Universal. Foreign support includes the Embassy of Japan, the Korea Foundation, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (Taiwan), and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates,” he continued. “The Dumocrats love it, and are against anything ‘TRUMP.’ These people, and others like them, are so bad for our Country. Their stated course is anything to hate or demean ‘TRUMP.’
I am also strongly considering adding some of the contributors to this Fake Organization. Crime is way down since I took Office, and they know it. Liars, at this level, must be held accountable! President DONALD J. TRUMP.
Unfortunately for Trump, not every “lie” is actionable. Libel law is a little more particular than “I don’t like what he said!” Trump’s remedy at law is to publish this post, in disagreement with the findings of CAP. It’s then up to the public to decide who has more credibility.
It’s as simple as that. But Trump wants to hold CAP “accountable.” And there the problems, such as they are, arise.
“Accountability” is the new black: everyone wants to be wearing it. But accountability is responsibility, and nobody wants that. I’ve noticed the rise of demands for criminal punishment for decidedly non-criminal actions. Some people demand Mitch McConnell and all who serve him be charged with crimes simply because…the Senator wants some privacy? I think we should know the medical condition of the President. We only have one at a time; we provide him a house, staff, a private plane and helicopter. He’s on call 24/7. If McConnell misses a floor vote in ordinary circumstances, who even notices? Are we entitled to know the private lives of all 100 Senators the way we should know about the POTUS? Even the President withholding his medical information is not a crime, not even a misdemeanor. I get the frustration over McConnell’s absence; but calling for criminal punishment is Trump’s favorite distraction. When he can’t get that, he threatens to sue. It’s another cudgel the rich have.
It’s easy to forget NYT v Sullivan was decided in the context of local, racist governments suing civil rights organizations for alleged libel, the better to shut them up. Fortunately, the NYT had the money to fight the common use of the libel law, which, as a common law tort, was the privilege of the privileged. No commoner could ever claim damages to his reputation; only the landed gentry and public figures had that privilege. Libel laws were never about lies (despite truth being the “absolute defense”); they were always about preserving privilege. Which is how Sullivan was using it, when the Supreme Court democratized libel law under the First Amendment.
Trump can’t possibly sue CAP (not credibly, anyway), and he really should be penalized if he tries to. But plaintiffs are generally too privileged to face that consequence, either.
There are fair distinctions to be made here, though they seldom are. Accountability at the ballot box is one thing. Accountability in the court of public opinion, another. Accountability under law should be handled carefully, and sought judiciously (pun intended). But if you want to scream and yell about it, then there really is no difference between you, and Trump.
I’ve noticed the most “radical” politicians: AOC, El Sayed, Hong, Mamdani, are labeled such by inflammatory GOP rhetoric. The politicians I listed aren’t screaming for blood or demanding Trump’s head on a pike or swearing loyalty to a legal jihad/ass kicking. They are promising, or working towards, concrete solutions to problems average people are facing. Here in Texas, Paxton quit talking about “Talafreako” and started talking about helping Texans…through federal tax credits. Something most working Texans can’t access, because they don’t have the money and tax bracket Paxton (and Trump) does. Talarico is pointing out how corrupt Paxton is, but that’s to win the election, not a promise of retribution. Paxton’s not going to lose his homes if Talarico wins; except as a consequence of no longer being a government official who can help his rich friends. And I’m okay with that.
Accountability is a good thing, and a Democratically controlled Congress needs to apply it to Trump. But if that Congress doesn’t do what the “radical” candidates promise, accountability will just mean failure. Accountability won’t put food on their tables; or raise the minimum wage; or lower inflation and shrink the deficit. Gotta do what the people need, like Mamdani is doing.
Screaming on social media about “accountability” may make you feel better. But it won’t win horse races. 🏇
