18 U.S. Code § 793 is a law that was passed in 1917 just after the United States entered World War I to prevent secrets essential to the operations of the military from being transmitted to the enemy or to anyone not authorized to have them in their possession. The act, interestingly, defines secret material as “information relating to the national defense,” which in the opinion of most legal experts removes the necessity for the documents or plans or photographs or maps to have markings of “secret” or “top secret.”
Elise Stefanik is my rep and one of Trump’s biggest enablers. She was one of the ones out crying Soros backed DA after Alvin Bragg’s indictment. This is what I’m dying to see is what the excuses are going to be on Georgia and the DOJ cases. It’s no surprise that the documents case is looking worse than it did to start. The January 6th case will probably end up looking more disgusting too, if that’s possible.
Repeatedly saying “Far Left Democrats” like she has some form of Tourette’s probably won’t cut it. Even in upstate NY, I hope.
I think everyone can agree that Trump probably took this stuff thinking, "hey, a few souvenirs won't hurt anyone."
Needless to say those souvenirs are going to cost him plenty. I hope it's at least 10 years for having the documents, not turning them over to the NA properly and another 10 for obstruction. Then after that Jack Smith can nail him with any Jan 6 crimes and Fani Willis can go after him for the 2020 Georgia phone call-with the rear being brought up by Alvin Bragg for fraud in his company.
Donald Trump's had an amazing run of luck and he's about to find out what happens when karma descends on him like Saint George slaying the dragon.
It'll be fun to watch. Oh, and one more point-it appears that Trump's media thing, "Truth Social" is in serious (what other kind is there) trouble with the SEC.
His summer of fun is going to be good schadenfreude for all of us. I can't wait, because everything will happen all at once.
Things always happen like that and the fat lady is getting ready for her aria.
Another great column, Lucian. We are very much in your debt for your research and writing skills. Succinct and complete summaries of the facts are your specialty, if there only were more writing like yours. As we await breathlessly(and wait, and wait) for the oft predicted *Rump indictments the responses and reactions are already in the drawer waiting to be performed. The Kabuki theater soon to be at its most active, presumably. The MSM media will be orgasmic; the Reichwing media unstinting in its condemnation; *Rumpers threatening retaliation and violence; never-*Rumpers saying, “finally”. And the evil one himself whining and complaining, as usual, about weaponized government, persecution, fake evidence, “nasty” people, his innocence, and dog-whistling his ever loyal cult to “standby”, or maybe worse. I don’t mean to downplay the importance of these indictments, because the need for them is fundamental for us to be a nation of laws, and not of men. It just seems like there’s a script, and the show must go on. The glacial speed with which this is all unfolding, when his guilt is so obvious, that it all becomes an anti-climax when something does happen. If I sound jaded it’s because I am. It’s hard not to tire of the perpetual, exhausting drama. Why in the name of sanity would anyone want five more years of this. I’m going to bed.
For Trump, classified documents were simply more showoff material. Anyone else remember that he was somehow *televised* blowing Israeli Intelligence cover to one or two Russians in his office?
Discussion of likely indictments gives me a stomach ache., perhaps ulcers to follow. I cannot figure out how this ignoramus even became President ... and he's even NOW the Republicans' top choice. What about this mental midget appeals to anyone with a working brain? It is dispiriting, forget disgusting, that tens of millions of people find him acceptable.
I cannot believe that Jack Smith is not already digging his claws into this luscious pile of personal offal, presented to the Special Prosecutor through the stupidity and ignorance that marked the previus administration.....
This is how a Stable Genius behaves. He is not just the unclothed emperor, he thinks he IS an emperor and therefore not hampered by laws of mere mortals. When Humpty Dumpty has that great fall, the earth will move! I’m soooooo ready!
Much of the public thinks about January 6th 2021 because there’s drama and ongoing prosecution. Charging him with obstruction or violating the espionage act might be very serious but not all that interesting to the general public. Republicans will try to defeat the seriousness of such charges in part because of their own contacts with foreign powers. Jack Smith will have to avoid catching other players.
Trump should be prosecuted regardless of partisan response because the republic is more important.
While Harry was on a summer break from law school in the summer of 1976, we enrolled in a law program at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Among many side-trips, was a visit to a maximum security prison, Ramla.
During a tour we were escorted into a high/security unit with convicted Palestinian terrorists who spoke English and were very excited to meet us. They asked if Serhan-Serhan (the convicted murderer of Robert Kennedy), was likely to be released. We replied that it is highly unlikely.
We were able to meet with a convicted spy who was a mechanical aircraft engineer. We asked him if he was going to be released and his response surprised us: “That would be unlikely (l think the word he used was “STUPID” - since l was caught with top secret documents which l was selling to Syria.”
So is appears that incarceration does have an important impact and might actually bring closure and reflection.
The top-prize was a Japanese convicted mastermind of an airport attack. This prisoner was in isolation, but we could peer into a door window and see his sumo- sized body. We had no other contact.
Proving once and for all, that in a just society “crime does not pay.”
The question remains: under the current strictures in these United States, will justice prevail?
In one of the more fortuitous ironies of the whole mess, Trump himself signed a bill increasing the penalties for violations of the Espionage Act.....
Elise Stefanik is my rep and one of Trump’s biggest enablers. She was one of the ones out crying Soros backed DA after Alvin Bragg’s indictment. This is what I’m dying to see is what the excuses are going to be on Georgia and the DOJ cases. It’s no surprise that the documents case is looking worse than it did to start. The January 6th case will probably end up looking more disgusting too, if that’s possible.
Repeatedly saying “Far Left Democrats” like she has some form of Tourette’s probably won’t cut it. Even in upstate NY, I hope.
I think everyone can agree that Trump probably took this stuff thinking, "hey, a few souvenirs won't hurt anyone."
Needless to say those souvenirs are going to cost him plenty. I hope it's at least 10 years for having the documents, not turning them over to the NA properly and another 10 for obstruction. Then after that Jack Smith can nail him with any Jan 6 crimes and Fani Willis can go after him for the 2020 Georgia phone call-with the rear being brought up by Alvin Bragg for fraud in his company.
Donald Trump's had an amazing run of luck and he's about to find out what happens when karma descends on him like Saint George slaying the dragon.
It'll be fun to watch. Oh, and one more point-it appears that Trump's media thing, "Truth Social" is in serious (what other kind is there) trouble with the SEC.
His summer of fun is going to be good schadenfreude for all of us. I can't wait, because everything will happen all at once.
Things always happen like that and the fat lady is getting ready for her aria.
Great summary.
Go Jack Smith Go 🙏
All the people who came into his office at Mar-A-Lago had cell phones and cell phones have cameras.
Another great column, Lucian. We are very much in your debt for your research and writing skills. Succinct and complete summaries of the facts are your specialty, if there only were more writing like yours. As we await breathlessly(and wait, and wait) for the oft predicted *Rump indictments the responses and reactions are already in the drawer waiting to be performed. The Kabuki theater soon to be at its most active, presumably. The MSM media will be orgasmic; the Reichwing media unstinting in its condemnation; *Rumpers threatening retaliation and violence; never-*Rumpers saying, “finally”. And the evil one himself whining and complaining, as usual, about weaponized government, persecution, fake evidence, “nasty” people, his innocence, and dog-whistling his ever loyal cult to “standby”, or maybe worse. I don’t mean to downplay the importance of these indictments, because the need for them is fundamental for us to be a nation of laws, and not of men. It just seems like there’s a script, and the show must go on. The glacial speed with which this is all unfolding, when his guilt is so obvious, that it all becomes an anti-climax when something does happen. If I sound jaded it’s because I am. It’s hard not to tire of the perpetual, exhausting drama. Why in the name of sanity would anyone want five more years of this. I’m going to bed.
For Trump, classified documents were simply more showoff material. Anyone else remember that he was somehow *televised* blowing Israeli Intelligence cover to one or two Russians in his office?
Discussion of likely indictments gives me a stomach ache., perhaps ulcers to follow. I cannot figure out how this ignoramus even became President ... and he's even NOW the Republicans' top choice. What about this mental midget appeals to anyone with a working brain? It is dispiriting, forget disgusting, that tens of millions of people find him acceptable.
Words not directly associated with US Presidents until Trump:
Indicted.
Espionage.
Insurrection.
Sedition.
Sexual abuse.
Defamation.
Diapers.
Shithole countries.
Made up countries.
Flim Flam Man.
Shat list of future words: crimes, charges, counts, convictions, x#-criminal trials, sentencing, incarceration.
Word associated with only two US Presidents:
Shoes (elevated, ducked).
I cannot believe that Jack Smith is not already digging his claws into this luscious pile of personal offal, presented to the Special Prosecutor through the stupidity and ignorance that marked the previus administration.....
This is how a Stable Genius behaves. He is not just the unclothed emperor, he thinks he IS an emperor and therefore not hampered by laws of mere mortals. When Humpty Dumpty has that great fall, the earth will move! I’m soooooo ready!
In the name of all that is Good and Holy, can someone PLEASE just toss this traitor into the nearest tumbrel???
"... information the possessor has reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States ..."
golly gee whizzers, don-- looks like your only defense can be one based on ignorance, a popular concept in down in magastan.
From your pen to the FSM’s ear!!
Much of the public thinks about January 6th 2021 because there’s drama and ongoing prosecution. Charging him with obstruction or violating the espionage act might be very serious but not all that interesting to the general public. Republicans will try to defeat the seriousness of such charges in part because of their own contacts with foreign powers. Jack Smith will have to avoid catching other players.
Trump should be prosecuted regardless of partisan response because the republic is more important.
I hope so. We'll see.
While Harry was on a summer break from law school in the summer of 1976, we enrolled in a law program at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Among many side-trips, was a visit to a maximum security prison, Ramla.
During a tour we were escorted into a high/security unit with convicted Palestinian terrorists who spoke English and were very excited to meet us. They asked if Serhan-Serhan (the convicted murderer of Robert Kennedy), was likely to be released. We replied that it is highly unlikely.
We were able to meet with a convicted spy who was a mechanical aircraft engineer. We asked him if he was going to be released and his response surprised us: “That would be unlikely (l think the word he used was “STUPID” - since l was caught with top secret documents which l was selling to Syria.”
So is appears that incarceration does have an important impact and might actually bring closure and reflection.
The top-prize was a Japanese convicted mastermind of an airport attack. This prisoner was in isolation, but we could peer into a door window and see his sumo- sized body. We had no other contact.
Proving once and for all, that in a just society “crime does not pay.”
The question remains: under the current strictures in these United States, will justice prevail?