Charlie Sykes, founder of The Bulwark, discusses the indictment of Donald Trump and the potential repercussions he might face as a defendant. They also analyze Republican loyalty to Trump and the impact of conservative Republicans criticizing him. Callers discuss their political affiliations and primary voting preferences. The podcast also addresses the motivations behind politically motivated investigations and the importance of holding presidents accountable.
Donald Trump's threatening behavior on social media raises questions about illegal intimidation in a legal context.
The indictment of Donald Trump and the evidence supporting it may impact Republican primary voters and create divisions within the party.
Deep dives
Trump's Intimidating Post and Legal Implications
Donald Trump's recent post on social media, where he stated, 'If you go after me, I'm coming after you,' is seen as a threatening and obnoxious behavior. Legal experts suggest that such behavior would typically result in sanctions, including possible jail time for contempt of court. However, it remains to be seen how the judge in this case will respond. Trump's post raises questions about attempts to intimidate witnesses and jurors, and whether it qualifies as illegal intimidation in a legal context.
Political Implications of Trump's Indictment
The indictment of Donald Trump for attempting to subvert an election has significant political implications, especially in the context of the upcoming Republican presidential primary. While Trump continues to dominate in polls among the Republican base, some Republican leaders, such as Mike Pence and Chris Christie, are publicly expressing their disapproval of Trump's post-election actions. This split within the Republican party raises the question of whether these indictments and the detailed evidence supporting them will have any impact on Republican primary voters.
Ron DeSantis's Balancing Act
Ron DeSantis, a potential contender in the Republican presidential primary, is attempting to walk a tightrope when it comes to addressing Trump's indictment. While he acknowledges that Joe Biden won the election, he also tries to cater to Trump's base by raising concerns about election processes and criticizing certain aspects of the post-election period. DeSantis's positioning reflects the delicate challenge faced by Republican candidates who must navigate the support for Trump within the party while also appealing to a broader electorate.
Varied Perspectives of Likely Republican Primary Voters
The views of likely Republican primary voters regarding Trump's indictment are diverse. Some callers expressed their disillusionment with Trump and affirmed their intention not to vote for him in the primary. These voters cited Trump's behavior and actions as disqualifying and voiced their search for alternative candidates. However, other callers staunchly defended Trump, claiming that his post-election actions were justified and blaming the Democrats for the ongoing legal battles. The differing opinions underscore the deep divisions within the Republican party regarding Trump's role in the 2020 election and his subsequent actions.
Former President Donald Trump’s latest indictment leaves a lot to unpack. We answer questions and take your calls.
Brian Lehrer, host of The Brian Lehrer Show, talks toCharlie Sykes, founder and editor-at-large and host of a podcast atThe Bulwark, MSNBC contributor and author ofHow the Right Lost Its Mind(St. Martin's Press, 2017).
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Notes from America airs live on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts.
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