Brunswick Beacon, 06.13.24
Group names are instructive. “A parliament of owls” tells us owls are wise. “An exaltation of larks” conveys the joy of flight. “A pride of lions” befits the King of the Jungle. Some alliterate, like “A flamboyance of flamingos,” or “A caravan of camels.” Donald Trump and his minions deserve their very own group name, one that captures their nefarious nature.
Donald Trump is a convicted felon, like the ever-growing cabal of convicts in his crookery of criminals. Trump shamelessly hired, appointed, befriended or pardoned his own personal posse of perpetrators.
Paul Manafort, Trump's 2016 campaign chairman, was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and failing to register as a foreign agent. Trump pardoned him.
Trump advisor Roger Stone was convicted of obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering. Trump commuted Stone's sentence and pardoned him.
Michael Flynn, Trump’s National Security Advisor, and George Papadopoulos, Trump’s foreign policy advisor, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about their Russian contacts. Trump pardoned Flynn.
Rick Gates, deputy chairman of Trump's 2016 campaign, was convicted of conspiracy against the United States and lying to the FBI.
Trump advisors Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro were convicted of criminal contempt of Congress after defying subpoenas to testify before the Jan. 6 committee.
Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg was convicted of grand larceny, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records.
Michael Cohen, Trump's fixer and personal lawyer, was convicted of carrying out the election interference scheme conceived and directed by Trump which resulted in Trump's 34 felony convictions.
More birds of a feather could soon join Trump’s flock of felons, including Rudy Giuliani and 61 indicted accomplices to Trump’s fake elector scheme awaiting trial in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin.
Trump immerses himself in a red tide of the red-tied, a mess of miscreants, a flagrancy of felons. He’ll forever be known by the company of convicts that he keeps.
Kristine Garrity
Calabash