Donald Trump and his enablers are in fact a “clear and present danger” to our shared Republic -updated with Judge Luttig’s twitter thread
Donald Trump and his enablers are in fact a “clear and present danger” to our shared Republic -updated with Judge Luttig’s twitter thread
The Big Lie wasn’t just a lie. Several Americans died because of Trump’s Big Lie —worse? Election Officials saw skyrocketing death threats. I’d like to walk you through Travis Ford plea agreement
Donald Trump and his enablers are in fact a “clear and present danger” to our shared Republic -updated with Judge Luttig’s twitter thread
The Big Deadly Lie of Donald Trump…
As many of you may know the HSCJ6 June 16, 2022 hearing was by far the most damning indictment of Trump’s actions and those of his dangerous enablers. Late on June 17, 2022 the HSCJ6 published the following recap video. I’m really glad the HSCJ6 did this. I was hoping they would take the advise and do recaps because even the most engaged Americans may not have the fortitude to watch hours upon hours of hearings…
Jan 5, 2021 Judge Luttig’s prescient Twitter Thread…
I know that there are rumbles about frustration regarding Judge Luttig’s testimony via social media. As a whole I think the criticism is absurd, absolutely unfounded and frankly asinine. While some might see an older gentleman who appears to be fumbling with his words. What I saw was a well respected former 4thCCOAs Judge taking his time to fully articulate very complex concerns. And in my view he did it well.
One thing to keep in mind, when Judge Luttig pauses —these were intentional. Judge Luttig understood/stands the gravity of his words and the solemnity of the hearing.
To be clear Judge Luttig is a serious unflinching guardian of jurisprudence and our shared Rule of Law. He’s always been a fair but also a pretty tough judge. And it’s disrespectful to say Luttig was struggling with his testimony. He wasn’t —although at certain points (like many of you) I could see the pain that was coursing through him.
Allow me to quickly explain Judge Luttig’s character and the respect he’s rightfully earned. In the late 1990’s his father was murdered. The murderer took his conviction all the way up to the Supreme Court (I believe unsuccessfully twice) and ultimately three Supreme Court Justices (including Chief Justice Roberts) recused themselves from the murder’s case. Because of their prior relationship with Judge Luttig. And let me tell you that in DC —respect is never given, it is earned. That alone should satisfy the question(s) about just how respected Judge Luttig is (you can read the 2002 Washington Post Article here)
On January 5, 2021 Judge Luttig —who incidentally doesn’t tweet often but on the eve of the Jan6th domestic terror attack on our Capitol he pushed out this thread. If you read that 2021 thread it gave readers a big insight as to what he discussed with (former) Vice President Pence…
As someone who’s literally in/out of Federal Court rooms on a near weekly basis —you want a sitting Judge who is measured and pragmatic (cough judicial temperament -something-something) When I was newly into my current career on a few occasions I had the privilege of sitting in his courtroom. Again Judge Luttig earned the reputation of being tough but also being fair. Accordingly the recent nonsense on social media directed to/about Judge Luttig —seriously if I read one more tweet that falsely states he had a stroke, I will create a new twitter account to burn people. By nature Judge Luttig has always used his words carefully. Not to belabor this, but he was acutely aware of the power of his words and he’s not one to ever make capricious or arbitrary statements, that would be antithetical to who he is.
Pay attention to what Judge Luttig states after the “clear and present danger” remark:
…today… almost two years after, that fateful day in January 2021… that's still Donald Trump and his allies and supporters are a clear and present danger to American democracy…
And while some only paid attention to the “clear and present damage” it’s what Judge Luttig articulated after that comment. It is far more important and frankly chilling. Because in the latter portion of his closing comments, Judge Luttig articulated his rationale and concerns about the Republican Party as a whole with Trump & his sycophants “in charge” —and yes some might make the (erroneous) observation that he was talking in circles. I can assure you no he was not. Judge Luttig was explaining the past, present and future —that’s why I found the latter portions of his comments to be far more important than the clickbait “clear and present danger”
…that's not because of what happened on January 6th, it's because to this very day the former president his allies and supporters pledge that in the presidential election of 2024…if the former president… or his anointed successor as the Republican party …presidential candidate were to lose that election that they would attempt to overturn that 2024 election… in the same way that they attempted to overturn the 2020 election but succeed in 2024 where they failed in 2020… I would have never uttered one single… one of those words unless the former president and his allies were candidly and proudly… speaking those to exact words to America
Written Testimony… you should read it too.
And in case you don’t know how to navigate https://docs.house.gov ←bookmark that website, or imma gonna reach through the internet and “lovingly” slap you. I’m kidding about that, sort of. As many of you know I’m a fan of original documents and I also know how frustrating it can be, trying to find said documents. To the intellectually stunted midgets who are currently disparaging Judge Luttig’s oral testimony—maybe you should read his 12 page written testimony, which can be found here. Before you use your social media platform to besmirch a very honorable person. Just a thought, not a sermon (yet).
“America was at war on that fateful day, but not against a foreign power. She was at war against herself…”
And full disclosure I’ve read countless of Judge Luttig’s previous Memorandum/Opinion/Orders. This is me telling you that I’m inherently biased. However in my experience a Judge who may not be the best orator, they often tend to be an exquisite wordsmith. Such is the case here. If you read Judge Luttig’s 12 page written testimony —frankly it reads like a love letter to America and our Democracy… and this should be mandatory reading…
and I would absolutely encourage you to read the written testimony of:
Honorable J. Michael Luttig -Retired Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit - written testimony found here
Mr. Gregory F. Jacob, Former Counsel to Vice President Michael Pence written test can be found here.
Updated on June 18, 2022 at 11:03PM DC local time:
Luckily for me, I have some of the best readers, and one of them pointed me to a thread that Judge Luttig tweeted a few hours ago. I would recommend that you read his June 18th twitter thread, found below. Specifically see the 2nd thru 4th tweet. Because this is coming directly from Judge Luttig. Also see 10th tweet where he addresses the disgusting and disrespectful “stroke” narrative polluting social media. If you get the sense that I’m mad, well that’s intentional. In my industry we don’t sit back and watch others in our industry get attacked or made fun of or disrespected. Respect isn’t just given, respect in the legal community is earned and Judge Luttig has done more than enough to earn respect that should be afforded to him.
Judge Luttig is far more articulate than Moi -however having sat in his Courtroom only a handful of times. As a casual observer every judge has a different “style” and while only in his courtroom a few times, I made the observation that the “pauses” are part of his jurisprudence oratory style. Hence why I also embedded his 12 page written testimony.
It’s not that he’s at a loss for words, conversely it’s that he chooses his words purposefully and carefully. Again those long pauses were done with the purpose for the viewer to really pay attention and absorb what he was saying. To be fair stylistically speaking if you are solely relying upon the fictional TV law dramas as your base line of what a courtroom or congressional hearing is like. Then I regret to inform you that is fiction. As in not in real life. Again many thanks and a special hattip to Barbara who posted the twitter thread in the comments of this article. She’s followed me through all iterations of my Twitter accounts, blogs and now here on Substack. Me lurves her, always have and always will. And I’d gladly challenge anyone who’s says I don’t have fantastic readers, I do. You guys are always looking out for me and more often than not —you bring me additional info or force me to see a different perspective….
Ongoing Threats towards election officials…
Allow me to provide you an analogy of the adverse and onerous actions that Donald J Trump willingly and knowingly engages in. Years ago I took a lot of flack for saying; “Donald Trump is a cult leader and his MAGA cult members are fully indoctrinated and wiling to commit acts of violence in his name” and just because I publicly stated that in February of 2017, doesn’t mean I was wrong. It simply means that others are catching up to my initial assessment.
Trump’s Big Election lie is a deadly cancer.
That cancer has metastases within the Republican Party & die hard MAGAs and is actively smothering our Republic and fragile Democracy.
You either eradicate the cancer or that cancer will kill you -yes it’s that binary of a choice.
I’m ashamed to say, that years ago I was actually a registered Republican but then I saw too many draconian public policy decisions. In mid-2006 I decided that I could no longer be part of a party to was drunk on power. Which was difficult because I viewed the Republican Party as “my fathers party” —The aforementioned cancer analogy is analogous to “if you don’t get rid of it —it will choke out the moderates and you’ll be left with the crazies running the asylum” —in kind on June 16, 2022 the Department of Justice unsealed both the criminal information and plea agreement of defendant Travis Ford -unfortunately the DOJ OPA doesn’t have the actual court filings embedded
As the DOJ-OPA states -this particular case was a work product of DOJ’s Election Task Force, which was created and announced on July 29, 2021, read more here - read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
January 2022 -Texas Man Arrested for Making Election-Related Threats to Government Officials
Read Defendant Stark Indictment “Stark allegedly threatened to kill elections and local government officials to "take back our country by force we can no longer wait on the corrupt law enforcement in the corrupt courts."
See December 2021 Georgia’s Gabriel Sterling’s plea for Trump to stop using heated rhetoric
See November 2021 Reuters Article -I cross referenced an none of the criminals who made threats, and were unmasked by Reuters has been charged. Which was previously confirmed by this September 2021 Reuters article stating no arrest were made.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation.
The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Nearly a year after its formation, the Task Force is continuing this work and supporting the United States Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the Task Force has begun.
DOJ secures 1st guilty plea -Defendant Travis Ford-
As alleged in the criminal information (see ECF-NEDC or see via Scribd) in August of 2021 Defendant Ford sent two threading Instagram Post. The criminal information is literally 1.5 pages long —whereas Defendant Ford’s Plea Agreement, which is 17 pages long (see ECF-NEDC or via Scribd)
On or about August 10, 2021: “Do you feel safe? You shouldn’t. Do you think Soros will/can protect you?”
On or about August 20, 2021: “Your security detail is far too thin and incompetent to protect you. This world is unpredictable these days….anything can happen to anyone.🤷 ”
All in violation of Title 47, United States Code, Section 223(a)(1)(C).
If you understand the penalty for violating Title 47, United States Code, Section 223(a)(1)(C). Obscene or harassing telephone calls in the District of Columbia or in interstate or foreign communications.
Which carries It a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and one year of supervised probation. But there’s a catch, depending upon the Defendant’s past criminal history that’s where the USSS Guidelines sliding scale comes into play. Meaning if you have a criminal history the scale is not in your favor…also see see USSS Sentencing Chart
As you’ll note the Government originally stipulated that the level of offense was 20…however based on the Defendant’s acceptance of responsibility the new level of offense is 17 coupled with the Defendant’s Level 1 prior criminal history —taking a plea deal was a smart move. I now refer you to page 6 of Defendant Ford’s plea agreement (or you can save $1.70 and pull it down via Scribd)
—notwithstanding those who have followed me always know that I tend to focus on the plea agreement (see ECF-NEDC) specifically the subsection of “factual allegations” and when I say you should pay attention to that portion of the plea agreement that’s me telling you it’s important. At this point you are probably wondering “so what does this have to do with Trump’s Big Election Lie” —well I know refer you to page 16, paragraphs 1 thru 6 —there is an absolute through line between the cancerous Trump Big Election Lie and his supporters feeling compelled to make actual threats to election officials. I can not think of any thing more unAmerican than making unlawful threats towards election officials. It’s disgusting and super criminal…
Survey & Data Suggests threats to election officials skyrocketed during Trump’s presidency…
With a fever pitch hitting in 2021 -back in March of 2022 the Brennen Center in partnership with Benenson Strategy Group poll published the findings of the poll taken from January 31 thru February 14, “nearly 600 local election officials about their jobs. Their responses should set off warning bells across all levels of government and provoke action from Congress…”
Racist harassment. Death threats. Private personal information released online. In one frightening story from Georgia, someone showed up at the door of an election worker to make a “citizen’s arrest.” But the election worker didn’t live there anymore. It was her grandmother’s place, and her grandmother was understandably terrified. Incidents like these have even led some election officials to flee their homes for safety. For a more visceral taste of what election officials have faced since the 2020 election, watch our video on it:
If reading the Brennen Center’s March 2022 findings is too much, well luckily for you they also published the following YouTube video. And I would recommend that you take the time to watch the video.
In the past I was an advocate for every American volunteering at least once to be an election official. Because it’s a civic duty but it also allows you to understand the electoral process. It’s something I’ve personally done for over a decade but during the 2020 election I contacted our local register. I informed them that I didn’t feel comfortable with volunteering on Election Day 2020. I stated that Trump and his angry supporters and heated rhetoric, actually scared me. And I wasn’t willing to expose myself or my family to Trump’s misinformed and angry mob.
This December 2021 Reuters Article explains what Donald J Trump and his indoctrinated MAGA supporters did to two innocent Georgia Election workers; Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and mother Ruby Freeman… Trump’s rhetoric caused these two innocent women to flee for their lives. Which is why I would like to remind you about the previously mentioned plea by Georgia’s Gabriel Sterling…
The point of this article?
The entire point/goal was to provide readers with a more fulsome file of facts. Because Donald J Trump and his effusive sycophants are in fact going to get someone killed. And that is absolutely unacceptable and chilling. Sure you can criticize the current Attorney General but in my view the DOJ absolutely understands the perilous position that face many election officials and the nexus almost always comes back to Donald Trump and the domestic terrorist that he has radicalized. There I said it because it’s the truth and the world didn’t end.
And lastly your daily software therapy which was injected with what I’ve berm dealing with on Instagram. I mean how messed up in the head must you be that you continually and fraudulently report my Instagram reels/videos? Because every single time my obsessed stalkers fraudulently report my Instagram account in a matter of hours IG reverses their decision…weird how actually receipts tend to do that.
And yes I have almost wrapped up my research concerning the fringe benefits a president is entitled to post presidency. But man that was a pretty damn heavy research lift. Until then: Be Well
-Filey
I was thoroughly disappointed by the response by many on social media. Even a few widely known and respected lawyers made disparaging remarks. We have fallen so low and superficial that many cannot recognize the historical significance of the moment.
I watched Judge Luttig as he spoke and commented to my husband that he had memorized his response in order to convey the importance of the knowledge he was giving.
His measured response on Twitter was exactly what I expected and happy to see.
If only we could get past the clicks, we could learn a thing or two.
Thank you for your affirmation of the man and the time of his place in our history.
I very deeply appreciated this deep dive into the legal and personal aspect of Judge Luttig. Very few knew any of this, and we're likely perplexed during the hearing. I am now following him on Twitter, and emailed myself his statement. Wishing you all good things, always 😘💗