Respect Is Earned, Not Demanded

The alleged campaign violations involving Donald Trump are taking a toll on the former president as some of his Republican allies in Congress come to bat for him. They are probably doing this because there are no mass protests at the courthouse where Trump faces the real possibility of going to jail. This is because the prosecutor's star witness, Michael Cohen, is "spilling the beans" on his former boss, essentially backing up what Trump's former acquaintances said they did when arranging what has been called hush money to Stormy Daniels to keep silent during election time about her alleged affair with Trump back in 2006. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and J. D. Vance (R-OH) visited the courtroom in support of Trump, where Tuberville lamented that Trump is not being shown any respect. Really? Where else can anyone other than Trump do/say the things he has done, be reprimanded/fined by the judge, and not spend one second in jail for his actions?

Tuberville is angry because Trump is being called "Mr. Trump" instead of "former president Donald Trump" when referred to in court. Perhaps the good senator needs to be reminded that Donald Trump is "citizen Trump," which is why he is on trial and is betting all his cards that he will win the presidential election in November, bringing all criminal proceedings against him to an end. The only thing about that is Trump, or "Mr." Trump, may well be convicted before November in his hush money trial. What happens after that, who knows. Tuberville also called the court proceedings "depressing" and accused prosecutors of trying to inflict "mental anguish" on Mr. Trump during an election. Wait a minute. Mr. Trump is supposed to be the opposite of "Sleepy Joe," the man he says is "not fit" to be president because of his age and, get this, "mental stamina." But all of a sudden, the "stable genius" isn't strong enough to endure what thousands endure daily, sometimes for days or weeks, and no U.S. senator comes to their rescue. Tuberville said that he "is there" for Mr. Trump "as a friend" and not because he is a candidate for the presidency. Makes you wonder just how many of his fellow Alabamians' trials he has attended to show his support. Senator Tuberville might also be forgetting the mental anguish that Mr. Trump has caused with his vitriolic tweets about people he dislikes, but when it is him on the receiving end, he claims to be a "victim" of personal attacks. Remember Mr. Trump comparing himself to being persecuted, not prosecuted, more than Jesus. But it just goes to show how someone who is supposed to represent one of the "pillars" of the American government (senator) is bowing down to someone who only looks out for himself. Trump wants to be immune from responsibility for his actions, which Senator Tuberville seems to agree with, even when faced with four serious trials that are stretching the legal system to the limit. And all that Tuberville seems to care about is that Mr. Trump is not being called "President" Trump anymore. Respect, you have to earn it. Remember, the world is watching. So is God.