Trump's Tale of Two Cities

Thought for the day

Charles Dickens wrote "A Tale of Two Cities" more than 160 years ago.  If you thought the backdrop of the French Revolution and story of Doctor Manette, living in both Paris and London was intriguing, wait until someone writes "Donald Trump's Tale of Two Cities."  Set in present-day New York City and Washington, D.C., I am certain people still will be pouring over court records of the former president's possible tax violations in The Big Apple and/or his role in last year's insurrection 160 years from now.       

Just as Dickens' novel and Trump's problems take place in two cities, the impact of two interconnected events this week need further examination.  First, court filings revealed that the Oath Keepers, the para-military warriors who helped rioters storm the U.S. Capitol last year, were found to be stockpiling enough food and ammunition to last at least 30 days after the initial siege; and second, the Supreme Court ruled, 8 to 1, that Donald Trump must turn over his presidential papers to the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot.  

So, how are these two news items connected?  If I was a betting man, I'm guessing leaders of the Oath Keepers were texting, calling or meeting with high level Trump insiders, like Steve Bannon and Mark Meadows, in the days and weeks leading up to last year's insurrection.  And if that turns out to be true, then it's no wonder the former president wanted to prevent the House Committee from seeing any official White House documents relative to the Oath Keepers and their plans to "Stop the Steal" and prevent the peaceful transfer of power.  

Back in the late 1960s and early '70s, I participated in a number of highly visible events (like the People's Park marches in Berkeley and an early morning, anti-war protest on the steps of the Capitol).  None of them turned violent.  None resulted in more than 725 people arrested or 140 police officers injured.  And none of them included hiding enough rations or weapons to sustain participants for a month.  

In case you have forgotten or didn't know, it was the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling that Richard Nixon must turn over to Watergate investigators tape recordings of his Oval Office conversations with key advisors that  eventually led to the first and only presidential resignation in 1974.  Surely, the public has a right to know what former White House chief of staff Meadows was telling his boss days or hours before Jan. 6.

The irony of Dickens' and Trump's two cities is not for the faint of heart.  If you believe history has a way of repeating itself, then buckle up.  Thanks to this week's ruling by the highest court in the land, the 45th President of the United States, the violent Oath Keepers, and the nation are about to find out if this is true or not. 

-DF

About the photo

Washington, DC 1972. We began gathering on the steps of the Capitol at 6 a.m. An hour later, more than 1,000 people had arrived. There was no violence that day. Yes, that’s yours truly helping to hold the sign (see the red arrow)