Trump Verdict Should Bring Anguish to Us All

Those activists who participate in strategizing about how their group can defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election are not feeling much sadness about the guilty verdict recently rendered. They have reason to believe that the electorate may unanimously understand that Trump has been stopped after pulling off the most elaborate and public con game in history. 

They are wrong. Many prominent people joined in a chorus, “This is the saddest day in the history of the United States.” They meant that Donald Trump had been unfairly charged and convicted of falsifying his business records to hide money spent to influence an election on his public campaign finance statements. They believe there was a political motive behind the trial. They are partially correct. 

Hunter Biden recently voiced the same justification for avoiding a lengthy trial on gun possession. He was also partially correct. Biden and Trump’s experience with our justice system might have been less uncomfortable without notoriety and privilege. Those who point to Christian thought within our country can note a biblical text to explain it. Luke 12:48 (New International Version, NIV): “But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” 

Our country’s newspaper archives will produce stories about political figures who faced public career-destroying scrutiny after being found guilty of crimes. Also, there are those who were tried in the court of public opinion for the appearance of wrongdoing. Our justice system does not always uncover the crimes or infractions committed daily, but public figures are subject to more investigation by those who disagree with them. Prosecutors will often plea bargain with individuals accused of white-collar crimes, impose fines, and avoid public trials. Public figures who commit the same crimes are punished publicly. They serve as a warning about breaking the law. 

There is little doubt in my mind that private person Donald Trump would face fines for falsifying his business records. However, the crime committed was using his unreported money to advance his presidential campaign. According to witness testimony, he believed that Stormy Danial’s story would lose votes for him. His agreement with David Packer to kill any stories about him throughout the campaign corroborated his intent regarding the payments he was convicted for. 

A person who runs for any public office promotes themselves as an ethical and honest person. Public trust is a cornerstone of our government. Donald Trump used his reality show, The Apprentice, to portray himself as an exceptionally successful businessman. This criminal trial and the civil trial concluded before it proved that it was a false narrative. Anyone who based their vote on his business abilities was the victim of his con job. 

There is a difference in Christian ethics about the forgiveness of sin. When people declare that they follow Jesus, they cannot accept forgiveness of sin unless they repent and do not repeat it. It is even acceptable to admit they are having difficulty abandoning the behavior. It is not ethical to say, “I follow Jesus,” but continue to do sinful things. Anyone who votes for Trump because he supports Christianity is a victim of his con job. 

A number of Americans feel anguish that this con man was ever elected. Voters could have stopped his current campaign, but the party was reluctant to disappoint his cultish followers who supported him with their time and treasure. The millions of dollars donated to the Republican party, Trump’s campaign, and the PACs supporting him are paying his legal fees. Without those donations, he would be forced to sell assets to pay for them. Anyone who donated to help his campaign is a victim of his con job. 

We are now anguished because good, competent people feel forced to publicly support this con man or face the retribution they fear will be the result of turning their back. Armed violence has been used to fortify him and is still a possibility. 

Our only choice is to fight through our despair and defeat this con man.