President Biden pardon son, Hunter, despite "No One is Above the Law" promises

Merry Christmas to Hunter Biden!  His dad, outgoing President Joe Biden, has reloaded Hunter's "Get out of Jail" card, thus ensuring junior will skirt around the U.S. legal system once more.  Hunter's pardon  proves again to the American People and the world what we've known all along, that the United States has a dual legal system, one for the wealthy elites and one for the rest of us.

The then candidate President Joe Biden promised the American People on several occasions that his son, Hunter, would not be receiving a pardon from him, citing his trust in the U.S. justice system and Hunter's innocence (apparently he's not feeling so confident any more). If convicted, Hunter would be the first child of a president to face a possible prison sentence for felony criminal charges.

Hunter has been in repeated trouble for years including charges of cocaine possession (some have speculated that he may been the one who brought a stash of  "coke" into the White House, bypassing security. Something a ordinary visitor wouldn't be able to do), tax evasion, illegal gun possession to name but a few. There's been allegation that Hunter spent time on Jeffrey Epstein's "Pedophile Island" (who was actually there is still a matter of some dispute).  

Some believe his businesses dealings with Ukrainian oligarchs and politicians was a factor behind the current war between Ukraine and Russia. The war has caused the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damage, threatened Europe with war, ruined U.S. and Russia's relationship, and all over a  deal with oligarchs in the Ukrainian government involving oil and gas rights in the Black Sea in exchange for NATO protection (and supposedly guaranteed by then Vice President Joe Biden).

Of course, Trump supporters are giddy about President Biden's Christmas gift to Hunter since this appears to be a gift which just keeps on giving.  Thanks to Hunter's pardon, conservatives now see an opportunity for President Trump at being able to pardon all those facing possible jail time and/or fines for their part in the so-called "January 6th Insurrection" using the same legal argument.

If, as it's argued, Hunter can skip away untouched for all his misdeeds, then the "J6 political prisoners" as they're called, should be able to walk away too. If you think about it, it's hard to believe how far America has slipped. After all, the legal system, of all our branches of government, was expected to be the one branch  least affected by partisan politics and corruption, but here we are!  What happened?

Born in 1970, Hunter's life has been rife with trouble. Although his father doesn't drink, Hunter has more than made up for it. He's also had a long history of cocaine abuse dating back to his time in college and has been in and out of rehab centers (he attended Georgetown College and Yale's law school).

Shortly after graduating, Hunter was hired as a consultant by MBNA America, a holding bank with close tie to his father, Joe Biden, and one of his top political contributors. As Hunter quickly rose through the ranks to executive vice president, Joe was busy supporting a bankruptcy reform through Congress, which, as an aside, would aid certain financial institutions. You know, like MBNA America (which was eventually acquired by Bank of America).

In 2013, Hunter decided he wanted to join the U.S. Navy Reserves. And so following a swearing in ceremony at the White House under the  beaming gaze of his then Vice President father, Hunter was ordered to report to his first duty station...and was promptly discharged shortly after arriving for testing positive for cocaine. I guess he forgot having  read (and signed) the Navy's zero tolerance policy statement about drug use.

The death of his older brother, Beau,  from a brain tumor in 2015, sent Hunter back down the bottle again. He reputedly would never leave his house for days at a time unless it was for a trip to the liquor store! According to Kathleen Buhle, his ex-wife, that when they were going through their divorce, Hunter was consuming "massive" amounts of drugs and alcohol while spending a great amount of time and money on hookers, at strip clubs and with other women to the point where the family had no money left to pay their bills. 

A 2019 DNA test confirmed he was the father of child with a woman who had been employed as "exotic dancer". In a 2021 memoir, Hunter admitted that it was the unbridled infidelity that drove his wife away. As an aside, while the divorce with Kathleen was still pending, Hunter hooked up with Hallie Biden, the wife of his deceased brother Beau. Given that Hunter and Beau was considered inseparable, doing nearly everything together, perhaps this isn't too surprising.   The affair lasted about two years.

Despite being an addict and alcoholic, Hunter purchased a pistol in 2018, following another stint (this time for 60 days) in rehab. Allegedly, Hunter lied on the gun purchase application by saying that he was not a addict at that time. Hallie said that she found the gun and ammo in Hunter's car while she was removing drug paraphernalia.

Hallie went on to say that she put the gun in a old grocery bag and pitched it into dumpster. Hunter and Hallie split in 2019 just as Joe Biden announced another bid for the White House, this time against sitting President, Donald Trump.

Hunter didn't morn the breakup for long. Just about a month later, he met and married Melissa Cohen, documentary producer and social activist from Johannesburg, South Africa  following a six day "romance" on May 19, 2019. Shortly afterwards she became a naturalized citizen U.S. She is 16 years his junior.

By this point, while still employed by MBNA Bank, Hunter started a lobbying firm (no potential conflicts there). Politico Magazine reported that many of his early clients were in industries overseen by Joe Biden's committees in the Senate. In 2008, Hunter, along with another family member, acquired a hedge fund group, Paradigm Global Advisors just as Senator Biden resumed his chairmanship of  the Foreign Relations Committee (both Joe and Hunter have denied any collusion or wrong doings).

The Foreign Relations Committee is the only Senate committee to oversee, debate, and report on treaties directly to the president as they pertain to national security issues, including war powers, foreign aid programs, treaties, military deployment, executive agreements with foreign powers or agencies,  arms control, sales, and training matters, global economic policies, holding confirmation hearings for high level positions within the State Department, oversight of the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as monitoring all American embassies, diplomats, and international posts.

By 2013, Hunter finally made it into the majors. He took a founding board seat with the Chinese private equity firm, BHR. Originally, he was apparently there as a unpaid consultant. Later, however, apparently because of his vast knowledge of foreign affairs, he was given a 10% equity stake in the company.

Much has been made in the media of a official trip by Vice President Biden, accompanied by his son, Hunter, to China for a simple "meet and greet" with Chinese government officials and various business leaders, including BHR's chief executive. Hunter described the meeting as merely stopping by for a "cup of coffee".  Shortly afterwards, BHR was registered in Shanghai, often called China's  "economic and technological crown jewel".

According to the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Justice, during this same time frame (between 2016 and 2020), Hunter knowingly and willingly set out to defraud the government. Officials  estimated that Biden filed to pay some $1.4 million dollars in taxes.  When he did finally file his tax returns, he included false business expenses in order to reduce his tax liability, misrepresented payroll and other deductions among other allegations.  

In 2017, Hunter joined with Chinese businessman, Ye Jianming, founder and former chairman of CEFC China Energy Company Limited, in a deal to acquire natural gas rights in Louisiana (Ye was also an economic advisor to Czech president, Milos Zeman). However, before the deal could take off, Ye was picked up by Chinese security on charges of bribery and other "economic crimes".  As of March 2018, Ye hasn't been seen.

In 2014, Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy holding company headquartered in Kyiv involved in exploration and production. The company was owned by Russian oligarch, businessman, and politician, Mykola Zlochevsky, through his private company, Brociti Investments Limited.  For his participation on the board, Hunter was paid $1.2 million dollars a year.

 Later, through investigation by Ukrainian authorities, it was determined that oligarch, Ihor Kolomoisky, was the real owner behind Burisma.  Kolomoisky, a Ukrainian born Israeli businessman and billionaire, was at one time considered to be Ukraine's most powerful oligarch.  It bears mentioning that  Hunter's presidential pardon by Biden extends back to the start of his dealings with Burisma Holdings in 2014.

At the same time, Vice President Biden promoted the investigation of the Ukraine's leading legal prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, who was being accused of corruption. By pure happenstance, Shokin, the Prosecutor General of the Ukraine (equivalent to our U.S. Attorney General), was investigating alleged corruption between government officials and Burisma Holdings and its board members.

Now, why should a U.S. Vice President concern himself with a clearly internal legal matter in the Ukraine? Claims of collusion was denied by the White House and Democratic members of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.  In 2016, the Ukrainian parliament voted to remove Shokin from his office. Not surprisingly, Viktor Shokin maintains his removal was due to his investigation of Burisma.      

Nevertheless, an FBI informant claimed that Joe and Hunter Biden were paid $5 million dollars each by Burisma executives for helping stop the investigation. The claim proved later proved to be false  (apparently you just can't trust FBI informants despite what they say on those TV shows). Meanwhile, one of Hunter's reputed business partners said that Joe Biden was part of conference calls with Hunter and other contacts, implying that Hunter had the support of his father.

A laptop belonging to Hunter was left with a repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware eventually found its way into the hands of the FBI. An examination of its hard drive was said to hold evidence of Hunter's dealings in China and Ukraine as well as his extensive use of drugs and booze.

Just exactly what was on the hard drive remains unknown, although since the revelation of the hard drive's possession by the FBI, the media has repeatedly implied that it proved Hunter's shady dealings which may have affected our national security, proof of bribery and corruption, or Joe Biden's direct or indirect involvement.

Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence release a report which proposes that 51 CIA subcontractors, including then CIA Director, Gina Haspel, aided the Biden presidential campaign in misleading the public about President Biden and the contents on the laptop's hard drive. If the report is accurate, it would further damn Biden's political legacy not to mention the already crumbing credibility of the U.S. government and the power of the Deep State.  

On September 5, 2024, Hunter Biden was found guilty of tax evasion pertaining to a nine count complaint. Biden was found guilty on three felonies and six tax related misdemeanors. The Justice Department said that there was no plea deal made with Hunter. On December 16th, Hunter is scheduled to appear for sentencing, which carries a maximum 17 year prison sentence. On the gun possession charges, Hunter could face up to 25 years of prison time.

Although whatever was on the hard drive was enough for federal prosecutors to bring a criminal investigation against Hunter. But with Hunter's blanket pardon, the issue is moot. Hunter gets to walk away virtually unscathed despite President Biden's statement that "no one is above the law", well, except apparently his son, Hunter.

The U.S. Constitution grants the president the authority to issue a pardon, amnesty, reprieve, or commutation. A commutation reduces a sentence without completely setting it aside. A reprieve is a temporary delay or suspension of a sentence. A pardon absolves the person of all criminal charges as well as restore all civil rights while an amnesty is the same as a pardon but applies to multiple individuals or groups.

It's doubtful the American public will ever know the full contents for sure.  Nevertheless, the whole nefarious episode demonstrates to all just how broken society has become and how just much value we place on money, power and prestige, even if it means destroying our own lives or the lives of others. It also shows that those with money or hold power don't face the same rules or outcomes as does the common citizen. This is truly a nation of two separate and unequal legal systems.

 

Thank you for reading Another Opinion! We hope you enjoyed this article and will pass it along. Please don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly, please "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps beat the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Please find below the links we consulted in researching this article.

 

Biden, Inc.

The Bidens' Influence Peddling Timeline

From laptop to pardon: The Hunter Biden story explained

Joe Biden pardons son Hunter: What it means and why itmatters

Melissa Cohen Biden

Burisma

Mykola Zlochevsky

Ihor Kolomoyski

Committee on Oversight and Accountability (Democrats)

Hunter Biden laptop controversy

 

New Information Shows CIA Contractors Colluded with theBiden Campaign to Discredit Hunter Biden Laptop Story

Robert Hunter Biden Convicted on Three Felony Tax Offensesand Six Misdemeanor Tax Offenses

The State of Our Democracy Heading Into The November Elections

Political violence was always what some piss-ant third world nation faced during elections. It was typically some backwater place where the United Nations would send political observers who at least pretended to keep elections (mostly) above board.  In reality, they really couldn't do much against some drug kingpin, zealot mullah, or local war lord. But, that seems to have all changed in the one country which was suppose to be about all that. The United States.

Since the failed assassination attempt of Republican nominee Donald Trump,  threats of political violence has increased. Congress has experienced a ten-fold increase in threats of violence (including assassination) over the last decade. The New York Times published a survey where 10% of respondents said that use of force should be used to prevent Donald Trump from becoming the next president. Meanwhile, 7% said the force should be use to restore Trump to the White House. What's happening to America?

Political scientists and others who delve into this kind of data,  mostly agree that the U.S. is divided to its core. Many have said for decades that, as a nation, we are deeply divided along more areas than at any time since the American Civil War, which remains the bloodiest in our history and resulted in more American deaths than any war since---combined.

A poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos in May this year found that two-thirds of Americans across the political spectrum are seriously worried about this November's presidential election. 68%  acknowledged being concerned about possible acts of violence from either or both sides.

On Trump's inauguration day in 2014, the Radical Left, lead by Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM) launched a series of mass protests across the U.S. which typically devolved into looting, arson, destruction of property (even police cars overturned and set on fire). There was reports of assaults on innocent bystanders. Could something like that happen again? Many Americans seem to think so.

Among Republicans, 65% of respondents said they were fearful of possible violence should Kamala Harris lose. Among Democrats, 83% said they were worried about widespread violence in the event "The Donald" doesn't win similar to January 6, 2021 but only larger and more widespread. Meanwhile 89% of the nation's largest voting bloc--- Independents---were worried about violence regardless of who won!

A related poll from Bloomberg/Morning Consult asked voters in seven swing states---Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania---if they were worried about possible violence pre or post election. Bloomberg reported that almost half---49%---of respondents across partisan lines admitted they were concerned about possible violence.

Voters in those states also said that the economy was "on the wrong track" by a margin of 68% to 32%. It should be noted as well that 52% had a "very unfavorable" to "somewhat unfavorable" opinion of Kamala Harris.  However, Republicans shouldn't gloat.  53% of respondents either "strongly" or "somewhat strongly" didn't care for Trump either. 40% didn't care for the Independent, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 19% had no opinion and 5% never heard of him! 

Additionally, 49% of respondents had a negative opinion about Democrats in Congress while 53% felt the same way about Congressional Republicans. Overall, Congress has a negative approval rating of 65.5%. Just 19.3% of Americans think they are doing a good or adequate job. When applied globally, these are the kind of numbers that make revolutions possible, and yet Congress has a 98+% reelection rate. I know this isn't Denmark, but something is sure rotten!

One primary concern for Americans is the perceived failure of our democracy. According to a Gallup poll, less than 28% of Americans believed that our democracy was still working as it should. To rephrase it, some 72% of us believe we're living in a failed democracy.  Before the January 6th protest, that number stood at 35%, a drop of 7% in confidence.

The Economist Intelligent Unit, the polling arm of the magazine, "The Economist", has shown America as a "flawed democracy" for years.  We are teetering on becoming a "failed democracy" as the top two contenders for president head into the November election with approval ratings in the mid to low 40%. Another election outcome similar to 2014 would likely push us over the line.

As an aside, a February 28, 2024 Pew survey of 24 democratic countries revealed that while 77% said that democracy was a "good" system of government,  59% weren't happy with how democracy was currently functioning. The poll reinforces what Americans have said for decades---there's a serious disconnect between government and the people. 42% added that none of the political parties represented the voters and 72% said elected officials couldn't care less about what citizen's thought.

The Gallup poll also revealed that 67% said the November election was extremely important and may very well determine the future of democracy. The question, however, is which way? A Trump victory or a Harris victory? Which of the two is the correct way forward for our nation, or is it another choice like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?

Back to Morning Consult, this time teamed up with Bipartisan Policy Center, conducted another poll pertaining to the upcoming election. The result was that 85% of Americans were concerned about the state of our democracy. Half said they were more worried about having a "functional democracy" more than a strong economy! It's common knowledge that America is a defacto Oligarchy (rule by a small  elite group). In our case, that oligarchy is comprised of some very wealthy people and corporations.

Thanks to Citizens United, America has also transformed into a type of neo-fascist corporate state with government and Wall Street working in tandem for their mutual benefit. Congress, already known as the "Millionaire's Club", no longer represents ordinary Americans. They represent and serve the needs of Wall Street with outcomes spun to keep us pacified  while "bread and circuses do the rest.

The oligarchs underwrite their political campaigns, fund their so-called "Leadership Pacs", provides them with all sorts of perks like the use of private jets or staying at posh private beach homes, and so forth. They review legislation and make "recommendations" about which bill to support or oppose, what pork to add, and even help legislators write bills and then shepherd them through the maze of committees. Is it any wonder that 85% of our fellow citizens are worried about the state of our democracy? 91% believe it's the better financed candidate, not issue positions, who win most often.

Another telling survey about the November election, this time by Navigator, indicated that 87% of respondents believe something like January 6th could happen again. A majority of Democrats---94%---said they were worried that Republican members of Congress would aid the conservative protesters in some way, even by allowing "white supremacists" to take a leading role. 

Of course, there is some debate as to exactly what a "white supremacists" is these days. Some claim that if you lack "white guilt" you're a supremacist, or at least a "racist". Interestingly, 70% of Independents agreed that the Republican Party was more prone to allow or encourage violence from alleged white supremacists in the event they lose in November, although very little is being mentioned about the potential of violence by BLM and Antifa, who has already shown their readiness for violence.

This brings us to a good point to mention that roughly half of all Republicans and those who lean conservative believe Trump won the 2020 election, and not Biden despite what mainstream media has reported.  The extreme partisanship on both sides just may be the spark igniting the fuse to a civil war or even revolution, irrespective of who officially wins.

 Many pundits say that we're already experiencing a "cold civil war". 47% of voters believe that a "hot" civil war is all but inevitable according to a Marist National Poll taken on May 21st of this year. The poll indicated that 53% of Republicans believe a civil war is likely. 41% of our largest voting demographic, Independents, agree as does 40% of Democrats.

Going a step further, among Millennials and Gen Z, that number is 58%. 46% of Gen X also believe a civil war is on the horizon. Interestingly, just 34% of Babyboomers agree (must be all that "flower power" resurfacing again), but Boomers aren't alone. Only 19% of the Silent Generation expect a civil war.

When looking as race, 57% of Black Americans see the potential of an internal conflict. Of that, 22% are convinced that some form of domestic upheaval in the near future is likely. Half of all Latinos---50%---agree that civil war was likely to happen in their lifetimes as did 43% of whites (Asian, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders weren't included in the poll). When females in general were asked, 57% thought a civil war was likely whereas 57% of men disagreed.  

So, where does that leave us? Is a civil war likely to happen in America? For most Americans, they hope not but many are holding their collective breath in the hopes that our "national storm" passes us by. Both of the two corporate owned parties have denounce violence, and yet lame duck president, Joe Biden, is publically saying that he doesn't expect a peaceful transition of power. It's worth reminding ourselves of the old adage that every revolution carries with it the seeds of its own destruction. 

If such a internal conflict does occur, martial law would be nearly instantaneous. Many freedoms will be suspended. or restricted.  America would almost immediately shift from a surveillance state to police state, perhaps aided by the guise of another virus as China did in Hong Kong, crushing all resistance. The ruling elite has long been planning for such an event from the shadowy corridors of power. All the mechanisms required are already in place.  The mask of civility will fall from the face of the ruling Oligarchy and we will see them for who they are.

However, increasing numbers of social scientists, especially historical and political, believe that we've already entered a "cold civil war" phase, which is largely being fought with words, images, and innuendoes. The media has already chosen a side as has much of the political and economic power structure along with the "nomenklatura" ( ie: managing government bureaucracy such as cabinet and department heads), the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the heads of the various intelligence agencies, better known collectively as the "shadow government".

The embers of division among Americans, which is mostly manufactured and exaggerated, will be fanned until they burst into flames. The border crisis will continue to worsen because Big Business wants it to. They need the cheap labor, which drives down wages as competition for jobs increase. Politicians will continue to offer us lip service. After all, if the fascist duo of Washington and Wall Street saw illegal immigration as a serious threat to them, the border would be locked down tighter than Ft. Knox!

Racial tensions will subtlety be fanned as old hatreds and suspicions are rekindled.  The "battle of the sexes" will intensify, but not necessarily between the biological sexes, but between the boundary of transgendered men and women versus society's norms until it reaches a boiling point. Religion too will become ever more vocal, especially among the Right where morality will be tied to one's political stance. Tolerance may become a rare commodity. History is littered with the charred relics of such wars.

The peaceful transition of power has been a hallmark of our Republic's stability, a rarity in the world. It has been both admired and despised around the globe. Our loss of trust in government, the media, the judicial system are not unfounded. There exists ample evidence of their corruptibility. However, it's the loss of tolerance and basic trust in each other which has caused the most harm. A democracy represents the  will of the collective. We demand equality for all.  When that's been lost, we revert to our tribal nature. A society cannot function or survive for long when it engages in the cult of the individual.

Americans (and indeed the world) have been convinced that up is down and black is green. We've been made to believe that our neighbors are inherently our enemies because they look, dress,  think, believe, or act differently from us when, in truth, it's their actions we must judge them by.

Today, our Republic stands as a shell of its former self much as Rome's did early on under the Caesars. We must, if we're to save ourselves and the country, once again abide by will of the majority and peacefully tolerate differences of opinion while remembering our collective nemesis, while faceless, exists in the halls of power and in corporate boardrooms which comprises the shadowy ruling oligarchy.

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Two-thirds in US fear violence could follow election,Reuter/Ipsos poll finds

Worried about violence as election nears? Just say no.

FiveThirtyEight: Do Americans approve or disapprove ofCongress?

Morning Consult/Bloomberg: Swing State Tracking Poll

Poll: 47% of Americans think a civil war is likely

Democracy's appeal is slipping as nations across much of the world hold elections, a poll finds

What Fate Awaits Trump --- The Presidency or Prison?

There's no question former President Donald Trump is a rich man. After all, he was perpetually on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" with Robin Leach during the 1980's and Robin didn't showcase paupers! Trump is an American legend when it comes to self-promotion as much as he is a mega successful real estate mogul and entrepreneur. He is the originator of the "art of the deal".

Trump has owned numerous high end properties throughout New York City, including the flagship "Trump Towers" with its exclusive condos owned by the "Who's Who" of  high society, and exclusive boutique stores whose names alone ooze money and the historic art deco styled "40 Wall Street" building. 

"The Donald" as he's known has published several books on the "Art of the Deal" as he likes to call his own game theory version of making business deals. He's owned a casino, a airline company, golf courses, and a university. Oh, and he's been President of the United States.

The former president's four year term was fraught with bitter Beltway infighting, backbiting, betrayal, and filled with enough intrigue to fill a Tom Clancy novel. President Trump promised the American People that he would restore our former Republic, which has been hijacked by corporate elites and others who've turned America into a neo-fascist corporatocracy; an oligarchy overseeing what might as well be called a "surveillance state". 

Trump promised Americans that he would "drain the swamp" that is Washington DC  and rid it of its slimy creatures that includes banksters, lobbyists, special interests groups, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. He said he would secure our southern border and reverse illegal immigration (which has become a defacto invasion), which included building a wall, prevent unnecessary wars while rebuilding the military, improve our healthcare system, strengthen Social Security, among other things.

One of Trump's most notable accomplishments occurred even before taking the oath of office as our 45th president, when "the Donald" was successful in doing what few thought could be done. He defeated Hillary Clinton, the darling of liberals everywhere. In fact, polls showed that with 12 days until the election, Hillary was leading everywhere.

Nobody on the Left could believe that Hillary had been denied her due; that there would be no long overdue coronation.  What had happened? Who was to blame---the Russians? The Chinese? Secret backroom financial deals?  Everyone was to blamed except Hillary's hubris.

 The politically inexperienced  "Donald" somehow managed to defeat a former political operative, former First Lady, former U.S. Senator, and former Secretary of State 30 states to 20. The electoral votes, which are what decide elections, not the number of votes cast, went to Trump, the political outsider, by a margin of 304 to 227 (Hillary did carry the popular vote, 48.2% to 46.1%).

The defeat was so complete that Hillary disappeared; some claim she had a literal meltdown while others claimed that she was allegedly secretly planning Trump's financial and political, execution. Regardless, when she reemerged she was a changed person, barely able to conceal her bitterness, anger, and emotional pain.

Trump's four year term was marked with internal and external political fights and delays from both sides of the aisle. Republican leaders no less than their Democrat counterparts couldn't---and wouldn't---come to grips with how an outsider managed to usurp power from the Status Quo.

As a result, they did their best to undermine Trump's Administration at every turn, even resorting to political subterfuge when necessary while the mainstream media launched into  daily efforts at character assassination which continues to present day. 

Trump and many in his administration have faced unprecedented professional and personal attacks resulting in numerous lawsuits and ending political careers. A few were even sent to prison while the investigation into Jeffery Epstein's murder...err...."suicide"...and his alleged island of pedophilia for the rich and famous remains in limbo just as Hunter Biden (Joe Biden's son) supposed bribery and extortion allegations have gone nowhere. I wonder why that is?

Currently Donald Trump has some 91 felony charges pending against him. If convicted on any one of them, he would be disqualified from serving as president, and yet Trump's popularity remains so high that he is unopposed in the Republican Primary.

His early opponents, which included Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Trump's former Vice President, Mike Pence, all bowed out after having been steamrolled early on by Trump. It's worth noting that Scott and Ramaswamy both later endorsed Trump. 

Now he faces his former opponent,  President Joe Biden. However, Biden isn't the same man he was in 2020. He has managed to accomplish virtually nothing of note during his four year in office and few want to see him back in the Oval Office again. His Vice President has consistently been rated the lowest of any Vice President in U.S. history. Lastly, at 81 years of age, Biden's mental facilities are questionable at best.  

Think about this for a moment. With barely 30 days until the GOP Primary, the only candidate standing is the one with some 91 felonies pending against him. Convection on any one of them disqualifies Trump and leaves no one as the Republican Presidential nominee.

Meanwhile, "the Donald" continues battling the charges, and while winning most of them thus far, has managed to rack up more than $540 million dollars in legal bills! In early March 2024, Trump had to put up a $91.6 million dollar bond as he appealed a defamation case against him on filed on behalf of writer E. Jean Carroll.

Trump had been ordered to pay $83.3 million dollars in damages for allegedly verbally "attacking" her following the writer's allegations of sexual assault. He was also ordered to pay Carroll $5 million after he was found guilty of libel for sexual assault and defamation in E. Jean Carroll's lawsuit against Trump.

Speaking of lawsuits, Trump has been ordered to pay $383,000 in legal fees following the loss of a lawsuit filed by Orbis Business Intelligence over a controversial information concerning Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election (no interference was proven).

He was ordered to pay a whopping $454.4 million dollars for allegedly "misstating" the value of his corporate assets, along with interest. This is part of a larger judgment against Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg in the amount of $465 million dollars. But wait, there's more...much more.

Trump was ordered to pay the New York Times just under $400,000 in legal fees after the court tossed his lawsuit over the newspaper acquiring and publishing his tax records without his permission.  There was also the question as to how the newspaper was able to obtain Trump's private tax records since he didn't authorize their release. I guess that means your private financial information isn't so private after all.

Donald Trump and one of his lawyers, Alina Habba were ordered to jointly pay sanctions over his lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and other Democrats over claims that the 2016 presidential Election was "rigged". The judge order that Habba and Trump pay $937,989.39 following a blistering statement by the judge accusing Trump of trying to further his political agenda by filing a frivolous lawsuit. The lawsuit was subsequently thrown out.

The Trump Organization was found guilty of criminal tax fraud and tax evasion and ordered to pay $1.6 million dollars. As hard as it is to believe, Trump still faces additional civil lawsuits which, if he losses, could result in paying millions more in fines (plus interest), not to mention the 91 felony charges and four criminal charges stemming from the January 6th protests which could also include possible prison time.

According to Forbes, Donald Trump has a net worth of about $2.6 billion dollars. He has $413 million in cash and liquid assets, which sounds like a lot to us mere morals. However, this may not be enough to pay the full amount of the judgments against along with interest. As a result, he may be forced to significantly reduce his holdings, including selling many of his famous properties such as Trump Towers or Mar-a-Largo.

Nevertheless, it would appear that when this is all said and done, "the Donald" may be a financially and psychologically broken man. There is no way anyone can endure what he has and not be mentally or physically affected. On top of all this, he is still running for president, which in itself, is a grueling and exhaustive experience.

It appears, at least to me, that the power-that-be, the ruling elite behind the neo-fascist corporatocracy that is America these days, are determined to both "punish "Trump as well as make him into a warning that while you can make all the promises you want  about reform while campaigning, there will be no challenge to the Status Quo. It exists as an unassailable force as much as any "mafia family" ever has.

If Trump is convicted on any one of the 91 felony charges, his presidential aspirations are over. The RNC National Committee will  assuredly select a properly vetted individual; someone who won't rock the boat.  Who that will be I don't know. I'll leave that to you to suggest, but I have a few ideas.

If Trump manages to survive and win the election, don't look for the same 2016 president. While he'll still be as bombastic as ever, Trump will be forced to follow the playbook dictated to him by the Status Quo or face more legislative roadblocks, continued ridicule and harassment by the media (which is devastating for people who have egos like Trump) and possibly even legal troubles. As former Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, once said, "to get along you have to go along", meaning "the Donald" will have to play nice for the next four years if he wants to get anywhere. 

Of course, Trump has never been one to bow down to anyone.  A newly elected Trump could decide to go after the RNC, the mainstream media, and God knows who else. He could be a "man on a mission" intent on payback and putting America's house in order at any cost. 

As was said of Julius Caesar, "to save the Republic, it was necessary to destroy the Republic", but our Republic has already been destroyed. In its place is a barely veiled neo-fascist corporatocracy led by super rich oligarchs who make Trump look like a pauper (especially after all those fines and penalties are paid).

An ego bruised Trump may feel as if he has nothing to lose.  If that becomes the case, and given his army of devoted "Trumpsters", America could be in for a bumpy ride over the next four years. But then too, there aren't too many people who could blame him under the circumstances and no one is wanting four more years of Joe Biden. 

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