Letter: Paltry fine will not deter Trump’s bad behavior
A judge fined Trump a puny $9,000 for contempt of court during his Manhattan hush money/business crime/election interference trial. This, after the former President has already done an incalculable amount of damage to the justice system. Does the judge think he is saving the republic with this kind of slap on the wrist? A misdemeanor-size penalty financed by his campaign donors is going to provide enough restitution and enough deterrence to restore trust in the nation’s sacred judicial system?
Trump has set an example for a future America where the rich and powerful will delay prosecution of their misdeeds indefinitely. He has taught the budding aristocratic class how to intimidate judges, witnesses, jurors, and anyone drawing breath within a hundred miles of the courthouse. He has retrograded our impartial legal system back to medieval times when government officials had “the king can do no wrong” immunity from prosecution. He has appointed highly partisan jurists to the nation’s highest court, ensuring he will have a favorable reception whenever his cases land there.
Sure, let’s give him a get-out-of-contempt free card for all that!
Kimball Shinkoskey
Woods Cross