Opinion

Trump’s hush money trial wraps up: Letters to the Editor — May 24, 2024

The Issue: Testimonies concluding in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump.

Kudos to Alan Dershowitz (“ ‘I’ witness to judge’s bias in closed court,” May 22).

Judge Juan Merchan is so blatantly biased that the trial reeks and exemplifies a profound “in-your-face” demonstration of a rigged system of supposed justice.

The good thing here is that an appeals court should take no more than five minutes to vacate a (sure to be) “guilty” verdict of former President Donald Trump because of the “fodder” demonstrated daily in the “center ring” of the ongoing circus in the Manhattan courthouse.

This case is a disgusting example of how our Constitution is being disregarded and trampled upon.
The ultimate commentary here is that, as a result of all the witch-hunting of Trump, the American people can now see how the justice system can be rigged with false charges and corrupt judges.

Ralph A. Manente

Yonkers

I agree with Dershowitz. The trials of Trump are of high interest, but more importantly, they are extremely relevant to the upcoming presidential election and the future of American democracy.
Televising important trials will display to the general public exactly what is happening and would be an excellent educational public service. Fewer witnesses, lawyers or judges would be tempted to misbehave.

Louis R. Franzini

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

In the end, Trump decided not to take the stand, either because he didn’t want to, or more likely because his defense team didn’t want him to (“Officially, no Don testimony,” May 22).

He should have considered the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.”

A person who leads, or wants to, must be able and willing to defend himself as much as his country. If not, his silence is cowardice.

Despite his current silence, I am sure there will be much said about the verdict, whatever it is. I am also sure it will be loud and the word “corrupt” will be frequently deployed.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne, Australia

The Post reports how political contributions by judges violate ethics rules, but Merchan made contributions to Democrat causes anyway (“Complaint vs. hush-$$ judge nixed,” May 17).

So much for holding the judiciary to a higher standard.

Worse yet, Merchan is reported as having donated to the “Biden for President” campaign and Stop Republicans — a grassroots-funded effort dedicated to resisting the Republican Party and Donald Trump. Yet he presides over the prosecution of Trump, whose cause he’s clearly against.

William T. Fidurski

Clark, NJ

Speaker Mike Johnson insulted the judicial system by attending court and using his position to attack the case as an illegitimate “sham” (“Why Trump loyalists, VP contenders are flocking to ‘hush money’ trial: ‘It’s about paying homage,’ ” May 14).

Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum — both considered possible vice presidential candidates — and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also showed up in New York, all wearing the same red ties worn by their cult leader.

And if that lunacy is not enough, a group of House Republicans wanted to award Trump the Congressional Gold Medal “in recognition of his exceptional leadership.”

It was a truly disheartening moment in modern American politics.

Robert LaRosa Sr.

Whitestone

You elect clowns, you get a circus.

The House speaker, second in line to the presidency, turned the Republican Party against the federal and state legal systems — the cornerstone of democracy — when he showed up to the court in Trump’s defense.

Character doesn’t just count — it rules. Trump’s former chief of staff, Gen. John Kelly, said it best when he noted that Donald Trump “is the most flawed person” he’s ever known. Yet these clowns are bowing down to him.

Richard A. French

Pasadena, Calif.

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.