Somewhere out there on the horizon, retribution is coming for Trump and his enablers. How much will he do to keep the horizon at bay? How much will the GOP allow? We have first row seats. Buckle up.
Retribution is the wrong term to use. Instead, we should say that the rules of law will be applied to those in the Trump regime who have broken the law and performed unconstitutional activities.
"Retribution" or "punishment"? It's a semantic slight of hand with no practical difference. Justice? Aversion therapy? Retraining? The majority of Americans who are not part of the MAGA Voodoo Cult must find a way to cause, or threaten to cause, pain to the WH Criminal and his accomplices in Congress., They have shown that they don't respond to truth or normal standards of decency. The threat of retribution, or punishment is necessary.
"Somewhere out there on the horizon, retribution is coming for Trump..."
Of course, because Democrats can never get enough of the "retribution" thing against Trump. It's practically a cottage industry. Maybe Norm Eisen can do a weekly "coffee" thing with Jen and list the newest potential impeachment charges to be filed should the Dems take the House this fall.
I’m a life-long Democrat; I don’t seek any retribution against tRump, I just want him gone. And his enablers. I’m hoping those who voted for a convicted felon learned an important lesson.
nobody went out of their way to get convictions against Trump. The charges laid were all in the line of duty. The important lesson is not to underestimate a rich defendant's ability to delay, so start your prosecutions early.
Anyone who really needed to see convictions in the cases that did not make it to a verdict in order to consider Trump unelectable was not paying attention to the real world - such as anyone depending on Fox 'news' or its ilk for 'information'.
"nobody went out of their way to get convictions against Trump."
Sure thing...just a lucky string of coincidences, all during an election cycle where state and federal officials just happened to be talking to each other.
"Anyone who really needed to see convictions in the cases that did not make it to a verdict in order to consider Trump unelectable was not paying attention..."
Anyone who didn't notice that with each new indictment Trump's popularity rose (especially with independents) was also not paying attention - such as anyone depending on MSNOW, CNN, legacy news outlets or its "ilk" for 'information'.
As we have seen demonstrated by the Trump administration, it's not so easy to just "get convictions" for the purpose of targeting someone. Why, sometimes the grand juries, long known for their affinity for indicting ham sandwiches, won't indict someone without actual evidence of a crime.
"Why, sometimes the grand juries, long known for their affinity for indicting ham sandwiches, won't indict someone without actual evidence of a crime."
Like this one:
"Alvin Bragg’s Case Against Trump Should Have Been Dismissed | Opinion"
Only if we elect those who have courage and are willing and able to make sure JUSTICE is served. There is so much that has to be changed to undo the terrible things done to this country and people by this administration. But I don’t think we can move forward without public trials and convictions of trump, his cabinet, the military leaders who followed illegal orders, Republicans who abdicated their constitutional responsibility and aided this administration, DOGE workers who illegally accessed and are using information from SS…
Yes, Jennifer, Republicans must answer to voters, but lawyers must answer to the state licensing boards who deemed them fit to serve the law.
The Contrarian's TOP priority now MUST be the disbarment of Bondi in every state where she has a license. This is very important not only as in the normal course of unethical and unlawful conduct by any lawyer, but especially since she was the people's TOP lawyer and many, many of her actions are so very well know that if she is not disbarred, no one should be. And even more especially, her disbarment will be a thunderbolt to every other lawyer at DOJ and elsewhere who is involved in unethical and illegal practices. There MUST be severe consequences for what Bondi and her elitist, cruel, lawless mob have done to the people who paid her to defend them.
In most states, a case for disbarment can be initiated by a client, another attorney, or a judge by filing a formal grievance with the state's bar association or disciplinary board. While individuals can submit complaints, the official "case" brought before a board for a hearing is typically prosecuted by a dedicated legal officer, such as a Disciplinary Counsel or Grievance Administrator.Who Can Initiate the Process?The process begins with a complaint or "grievance" filed by one of the following:Clients: The most common source of complaints, often due to issues like misappropriation of funds or lack of communication.Attorneys: Lawyers have an affirmative duty to report professional misconduct they witness from their peers.Judges: Can report misconduct observed during court proceedings.Disciplinary Agencies: These agencies can sometimes start an investigation on their own initiative (sua sponte) based on public information, such as news reports or criminal conviction notices.Who Formally Brings the Case Before the Board?Once a complaint is investigated and found to have probable cause, the formal disciplinary case is brought by specialized state officials:Disciplinary Counsel: Acting as the "prosecutor" for the disciplinary system, they file formal charges and present evidence against the attorney during hearings.Bar Counsel: In some states, like Virginia, an attorney within the state bar conducts the investigation and presents the legal argument for discipline.Grievance Administrator: In jurisdictions like Michigan, this official initiates the formal action before the Attorney Discipline Board.Summary of the Disciplinary PathThe journey from a complaint to a disbarment case generally follows these steps:Filing: A complainant submits a written grievance to the state's disciplinary agency.Investigation: The Office of Disciplinary Counsel reviews the allegations to determine if they fall under their jurisdiction.Formal Charges: If merit is found, the agency’s counsel files a formal petition or charges with the state disciplinary board.Hearing: A panel or board hears the evidence and makes a recommendation.Final Order: In most states, only the State Supreme Court has the final authority to officially revoke a law license and order disbarment
I wrote to the Florida Bar Association several months ago, asking them to disbar her. I was told at that time that they would not consider such a case against a sitting federal official. Hopefully now they will take it up, but this is FloriDUH so not much chance of that.
The implied immunity for a sitting federal official seems backwards. If anything shouldn’t we hold them to a higher standard? Or for that matter shouldn’t we hold our presidents to a higher standard? Sigh.
Is the goal is to take away her means of employment? Shame her? Send a message? It might work to send a message, but I doubt it would affect her personally.
Maybe I'm misreading you, but your point seems to be disbarment should be a consequence for her actions but I'm saying the consequences won't have much affect on her. Feels good for us, but sort of like eating a Twinkie. Yes, I read your point of sending a message but it feels like it would be secondary. Giuliani was disbarred, but it got shrugs.
I actually think it not only is a punishment for her, and deservedly so, because she cannot practice as a lawyer if she is disbarred; but it also tells other lawyers that eventually their lying and misdeeds will catch up with them. I don't think most practicing professionals would care to lose the option of employment in the profession they spent a pant load of money (law school $$$) to enter.
My fear is that we have a big win in November only to find out that more than half of the Democratic Party has been bought by the oligarchs just as the Republicans have been. And they do nothing.
Amen and amen, Ms. Rubin. We don't even need to know who Trump will nominate to know that he (it will definitely be a he) will attempt to follow Bondi's path of toadying to Trump. So much work for the next real Attorney General to do, including trying to coax back capable staff who were fired for no reason, or who quit in disgust.
We have to separate the DOJ from the Executive Branch. The Executive can have no control over the selection of or control over DOJ employees or the AG. Same for the Inspectors General. The Executive Branch needs a radically rethought mandate. These will take Constitutional Amendments.
Assuming Republican Senators can find a backbone, these are questions that they should be asking as well. Are they handmaidens to the president, or do they represent the American people and protect the Constitution? This is a critical choice that may determine how (and if) they are re-elected.
It's only lonely and abandoned in this administration's eyes. The rest of us, especially those who attend the NO KINGS rallies are still firmly committed to it.
And we still have the right to vote, to correct the damage. The comment attributed to Winston Churchill was: “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing — after they’ve tried everything else.”
Here's hoping that all these questions are asked. Sure we will hear some crazy dodging that will need to be called out. It's almost as if they need to be instructed to answer Yes/No questions, which they will fail to do.....
Tom Tillis has already said he will not vote to confirm any nominee who refuses to say the 2020 election was free and fair, or that January 6 was wrong and an attack on our government.
We'll see. What is said, and what in reality happens are often two different things. We have seen our legislative leaders say that they support xyz legislation, and then vote against it.
Norm Eisen would also get my vote... Actually, there are a lot of brilliant, law-abiding attorneys posting on Substack who could totally make a difference!
"we should remember Republicans votes to confirm her amidst a blizzard of red flags amounted to a green light for Trump’s reign of corruption, revenge, and lawlessness."
Republican legislators have FAILED to do their jobs, to protect America, and it's citizens. Like ANYBODY who FAILS to do their job, they must be FIRED. OUT with them! Vote Blue!
I like this additional observation by David Kurtz of Talking Points Memo (4/3), drawing attention to the failures of legacy media in covering the story:
The traditional journalistic approach to a sacking also hyper-personalizes the emotional experience and career prospects of the ousted official in a way that feels gross in the current moment. Bondi has decimated the historic foundations of the Justice Department, served as a willing cipher for President Trump’s campaign of retribution against his political foes, overseen the purging of career prosecutors and investigators, put hapless line attorneys in impossible positions in court, and defied court orders to the point that the government’s hard-earned presumption of regularity evaporated during her tenure.
But tell us more about how hard this all is on her:
NYT: Bondi “grew emotional … in conversations with friends and colleagues after she realized she was out.”
WSJ: “While Bondi has been stung by the dismissal she has been heartened by the support she has received and a flood of job offers …”
“It’s ALL so positive,” Bondi herself texted the WSJ.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, where palace intrigue entirely misses the point, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the president’s own criminal defense attorney who operationalized all of what Bondi presided over, was elevated to acting attorney general.
Standard magaloid response to unwanted questions is to launch personal attacks against the questioner. Expect more of the same. The maga cult members love it, as they love any validation of their hatred.
We must hold everyone participating in the lawlessness of this illegitimate President's insurrection. They and the billionaire swindlers that purchased them must be held accountable.
Lying during confirmation hearings has happened before and has gone unpunished and unquestioned. We have seen it in candidates for the supreme court in recent years.
Except that trump is so stupid there's a good chance he won't be able to let those kinds of statements stand - if they say the 2020 election was free and fair and he lost, that Jan 6 offenders are not patriots, etc. If they say anything that contradicts his insane lying worldview he may not be able to resist attacking them.
Jen, thanks for the clarity in your explanations of the corruption of the Trump administration. The Republicans need to stop bowing to their wanna be king.
Somewhere out there on the horizon, retribution is coming for Trump and his enablers. How much will he do to keep the horizon at bay? How much will the GOP allow? We have first row seats. Buckle up.
Retribution is the wrong term to use. Instead, we should say that the rules of law will be applied to those in the Trump regime who have broken the law and performed unconstitutional activities.
"Retribution" or "punishment"? It's a semantic slight of hand with no practical difference. Justice? Aversion therapy? Retraining? The majority of Americans who are not part of the MAGA Voodoo Cult must find a way to cause, or threaten to cause, pain to the WH Criminal and his accomplices in Congress., They have shown that they don't respond to truth or normal standards of decency. The threat of retribution, or punishment is necessary.
On the other hand, rope a dope. Rather an incompetent boob than someone who can do more damage.
Rumor has it that Eric Schmitt is under consideration and he could be both. The incompetent boob part is guaranteed.
Plus it opens a senate seat.
And the replacement will be an improvement no matter who it is.
"Somewhere out there on the horizon, retribution is coming for Trump..."
Of course, because Democrats can never get enough of the "retribution" thing against Trump. It's practically a cottage industry. Maybe Norm Eisen can do a weekly "coffee" thing with Jen and list the newest potential impeachment charges to be filed should the Dems take the House this fall.
I’m a life-long Democrat; I don’t seek any retribution against tRump, I just want him gone. And his enablers. I’m hoping those who voted for a convicted felon learned an important lesson.
"I’m a life-long Democrat; I don’t seek any retribution against tRump, I just want him gone."
I'm a life-long independent, and I also don't seek retribution against Trump. But he will be gone at noon on January 20, 2029 when his term expires.
"I’m hoping those who voted for a convicted felon learned an important lesson."
I'm hoping those who went out of their way to get the convictions in order to make Trump unelectable learned an important lesson.
nobody went out of their way to get convictions against Trump. The charges laid were all in the line of duty. The important lesson is not to underestimate a rich defendant's ability to delay, so start your prosecutions early.
Anyone who really needed to see convictions in the cases that did not make it to a verdict in order to consider Trump unelectable was not paying attention to the real world - such as anyone depending on Fox 'news' or its ilk for 'information'.
"nobody went out of their way to get convictions against Trump."
Sure thing...just a lucky string of coincidences, all during an election cycle where state and federal officials just happened to be talking to each other.
"Anyone who really needed to see convictions in the cases that did not make it to a verdict in order to consider Trump unelectable was not paying attention..."
Anyone who didn't notice that with each new indictment Trump's popularity rose (especially with independents) was also not paying attention - such as anyone depending on MSNOW, CNN, legacy news outlets or its "ilk" for 'information'.
As we have seen demonstrated by the Trump administration, it's not so easy to just "get convictions" for the purpose of targeting someone. Why, sometimes the grand juries, long known for their affinity for indicting ham sandwiches, won't indict someone without actual evidence of a crime.
"Why, sometimes the grand juries, long known for their affinity for indicting ham sandwiches, won't indict someone without actual evidence of a crime."
Like this one:
"Alvin Bragg’s Case Against Trump Should Have Been Dismissed | Opinion"
https://www.newsweek.com/alvin-braggs-case-against-trump-should-have-been-dismissed-opinion-1870620
And who exactly were the victims in the civil fraud case in New York?
No, not like that one as Trump WAS indicted by the grand jury.
Only if we elect those who have courage and are willing and able to make sure JUSTICE is served. There is so much that has to be changed to undo the terrible things done to this country and people by this administration. But I don’t think we can move forward without public trials and convictions of trump, his cabinet, the military leaders who followed illegal orders, Republicans who abdicated their constitutional responsibility and aided this administration, DOGE workers who illegally accessed and are using information from SS…
Yes, Jennifer, Republicans must answer to voters, but lawyers must answer to the state licensing boards who deemed them fit to serve the law.
The Contrarian's TOP priority now MUST be the disbarment of Bondi in every state where she has a license. This is very important not only as in the normal course of unethical and unlawful conduct by any lawyer, but especially since she was the people's TOP lawyer and many, many of her actions are so very well know that if she is not disbarred, no one should be. And even more especially, her disbarment will be a thunderbolt to every other lawyer at DOJ and elsewhere who is involved in unethical and illegal practices. There MUST be severe consequences for what Bondi and her elitist, cruel, lawless mob have done to the people who paid her to defend them.
Her new job on Fox or Newsmax could care less.
Who starts this process? Would it be state AG’s?
In most states, a case for disbarment can be initiated by a client, another attorney, or a judge by filing a formal grievance with the state's bar association or disciplinary board. While individuals can submit complaints, the official "case" brought before a board for a hearing is typically prosecuted by a dedicated legal officer, such as a Disciplinary Counsel or Grievance Administrator.Who Can Initiate the Process?The process begins with a complaint or "grievance" filed by one of the following:Clients: The most common source of complaints, often due to issues like misappropriation of funds or lack of communication.Attorneys: Lawyers have an affirmative duty to report professional misconduct they witness from their peers.Judges: Can report misconduct observed during court proceedings.Disciplinary Agencies: These agencies can sometimes start an investigation on their own initiative (sua sponte) based on public information, such as news reports or criminal conviction notices.Who Formally Brings the Case Before the Board?Once a complaint is investigated and found to have probable cause, the formal disciplinary case is brought by specialized state officials:Disciplinary Counsel: Acting as the "prosecutor" for the disciplinary system, they file formal charges and present evidence against the attorney during hearings.Bar Counsel: In some states, like Virginia, an attorney within the state bar conducts the investigation and presents the legal argument for discipline.Grievance Administrator: In jurisdictions like Michigan, this official initiates the formal action before the Attorney Discipline Board.Summary of the Disciplinary PathThe journey from a complaint to a disbarment case generally follows these steps:Filing: A complainant submits a written grievance to the state's disciplinary agency.Investigation: The Office of Disciplinary Counsel reviews the allegations to determine if they fall under their jurisdiction.Formal Charges: If merit is found, the agency’s counsel files a formal petition or charges with the state disciplinary board.Hearing: A panel or board hears the evidence and makes a recommendation.Final Order: In most states, only the State Supreme Court has the final authority to officially revoke a law license and order disbarment
Every one of us was a "client" of US AG Bondi.
Okay, so which citizen will step forward?
I wrote to the Florida Bar Association several months ago, asking them to disbar her. I was told at that time that they would not consider such a case against a sitting federal official. Hopefully now they will take it up, but this is FloriDUH so not much chance of that.
The implied immunity for a sitting federal official seems backwards. If anything shouldn’t we hold them to a higher standard? Or for that matter shouldn’t we hold our presidents to a higher standard? Sigh.
I just checked and apparently Bondi has only ever been licensed to practice law in Florida. She's never been licensed even in DC.
Thank you
Is the goal is to take away her means of employment? Shame her? Send a message? It might work to send a message, but I doubt it would affect her personally.
please read entire posts before you reply
Your comment would be much easier to read, if you had used paragraphs.
Maybe I'm misreading you, but your point seems to be disbarment should be a consequence for her actions but I'm saying the consequences won't have much affect on her. Feels good for us, but sort of like eating a Twinkie. Yes, I read your point of sending a message but it feels like it would be secondary. Giuliani was disbarred, but it got shrugs.
I actually think it not only is a punishment for her, and deservedly so, because she cannot practice as a lawyer if she is disbarred; but it also tells other lawyers that eventually their lying and misdeeds will catch up with them. I don't think most practicing professionals would care to lose the option of employment in the profession they spent a pant load of money (law school $$$) to enter.
Fingers crossed that someone in either party develops a spine!
My fear is that we have a big win in November only to find out that more than half of the Democratic Party has been bought by the oligarchs just as the Republicans have been. And they do nothing.
Ouch! That is dark. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to digest that, so please forgive me if I hope you are wrong.
Don't stay that way too long, they'll cramp before a courageous Republican shows up.
That thought comes to us from St. Petersburg. We are a minority party and are not at all responsible.
Florida or Russia? Hard to tell these days?
Here are the most important questions for any tRump nominee:
1. Will you lie for him?
2. Will you go to jail for him?
3. Will you be totally loyal to him above all else including the Constitution?
No other questions matter to tRump, so why not make it clear on the record?
Amen and amen, Ms. Rubin. We don't even need to know who Trump will nominate to know that he (it will definitely be a he) will attempt to follow Bondi's path of toadying to Trump. So much work for the next real Attorney General to do, including trying to coax back capable staff who were fired for no reason, or who quit in disgust.
We have to separate the DOJ from the Executive Branch. The Executive can have no control over the selection of or control over DOJ employees or the AG. Same for the Inspectors General. The Executive Branch needs a radically rethought mandate. These will take Constitutional Amendments.
Thank you for your excellent questions list. No excuses for Democrats not asking these questions.
Assuming Republican Senators can find a backbone, these are questions that they should be asking as well. Are they handmaidens to the president, or do they represent the American people and protect the Constitution? This is a critical choice that may determine how (and if) they are re-elected.
I'm afraid the constitution is a lonely document these days...
It's only lonely and abandoned in this administration's eyes. The rest of us, especially those who attend the NO KINGS rallies are still firmly committed to it.
yes Steve but we are not in charge remember...
And we still have the right to vote, to correct the damage. The comment attributed to Winston Churchill was: “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing — after they’ve tried everything else.”
It's now that time to do the right thing.
obviously the sup crt has lost their copy
Here's hoping that all these questions are asked. Sure we will hear some crazy dodging that will need to be called out. It's almost as if they need to be instructed to answer Yes/No questions, which they will fail to do.....
Most definitely. Expect many exclamations of "Squirrel!" to try to distract Senators from insisting on actual answers.
Tom Tillis has already said he will not vote to confirm any nominee who refuses to say the 2020 election was free and fair, or that January 6 was wrong and an attack on our government.
We'll see. What is said, and what in reality happens are often two different things. We have seen our legislative leaders say that they support xyz legislation, and then vote against it.
So true!
he's leaving this year right ?
Yes, he is not running for re-election, so he has nothing to lose.
A wonderful, clear summary of things to get done. Thank you.
Sounds tactical! Have you ever thought about running for Attorney General yourself? Ha ha. Don't, because we'd miss you too much!
Norm Eisen would also get my vote... Actually, there are a lot of brilliant, law-abiding attorneys posting on Substack who could totally make a difference!
You said it! Joyce Vance, Mark Elias, Katie Phang, Asha Rangappa...be still my beating heart.
Steve Vladeck, Harry Litman...
"we should remember Republicans votes to confirm her amidst a blizzard of red flags amounted to a green light for Trump’s reign of corruption, revenge, and lawlessness."
Republican legislators have FAILED to do their jobs, to protect America, and it's citizens. Like ANYBODY who FAILS to do their job, they must be FIRED. OUT with them! Vote Blue!
Thank you for continuing to call it like it is.
I like this additional observation by David Kurtz of Talking Points Memo (4/3), drawing attention to the failures of legacy media in covering the story:
The traditional journalistic approach to a sacking also hyper-personalizes the emotional experience and career prospects of the ousted official in a way that feels gross in the current moment. Bondi has decimated the historic foundations of the Justice Department, served as a willing cipher for President Trump’s campaign of retribution against his political foes, overseen the purging of career prosecutors and investigators, put hapless line attorneys in impossible positions in court, and defied court orders to the point that the government’s hard-earned presumption of regularity evaporated during her tenure.
But tell us more about how hard this all is on her:
NYT: Bondi “grew emotional … in conversations with friends and colleagues after she realized she was out.”
WSJ: “While Bondi has been stung by the dismissal she has been heartened by the support she has received and a flood of job offers …”
“It’s ALL so positive,” Bondi herself texted the WSJ.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, where palace intrigue entirely misses the point, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the president’s own criminal defense attorney who operationalized all of what Bondi presided over, was elevated to acting attorney general.
we blanch at his appt
Standard magaloid response to unwanted questions is to launch personal attacks against the questioner. Expect more of the same. The maga cult members love it, as they love any validation of their hatred.
We must hold everyone participating in the lawlessness of this illegitimate President's insurrection. They and the billionaire swindlers that purchased them must be held accountable.
You can ask the nominee whatever questions you want. She/he will just lie.
Lying during confirmation hearings has happened before and has gone unpunished and unquestioned. We have seen it in candidates for the supreme court in recent years.
Except that trump is so stupid there's a good chance he won't be able to let those kinds of statements stand - if they say the 2020 election was free and fair and he lost, that Jan 6 offenders are not patriots, etc. If they say anything that contradicts his insane lying worldview he may not be able to resist attacking them.
Jen, thanks for the clarity in your explanations of the corruption of the Trump administration. The Republicans need to stop bowing to their wanna be king.