Black legal professionals matter in the cases against Defendant Donald Trump

Get the Point!

There is more than a hint of irony that in three of the four criminal cases featuring former President turned Defendant Donald John Trump, that Black legal professionals are at the vanguard of the proceedings.

From left: U. S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan (Washington, D.C.), District Attorney Alvin Bragg (Manhattan), and District Attorney Fani Willis (Atlanta) are key figures in three of former President Donald Trump's four criminal cases.

Irony, I submit, because it was Mr. Trump who, in 1989, took out a full page ad in the NY Times seeking the death penalty for the Central Park Five—five Black boys who were in my same age range (17) at the time who found themselves falsely accused, convicted, imprisoned, and later exonerated of raping a young white woman!

Irony, because it was Mr. Trump and his long deceased father who were both sued and cited by governing boards for discriminating against Black renters in their real estate empire.

Donald Trump with his father, Fred, circa 1973, right before the pair were sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for refusing to rent apartment units to Blacks in New York City…

Irony, because it was Mr. Trump who verbally attacked Judge Gonzalo Curiel, a federal judge and fellow member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, because as he said in 2016, Judge Curiel is “a Mexican” who “hates Trump.”

The Honorable U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel is a second generation American whose family immigrated to the United States before most of Trump's German ancestors arrived…

Irony, because it was Mr. Trump who called professional Black football players “ungrateful SOB’s,” while chiding Black civil rights legends turned congressmen like the late John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), for leading “rat infested, crime ridden districts” anytime they disagreed with his domestic or foreign policies!

Now, while Mr. Trump has routinely shown himself to be petulant, petty, and willing to attack any of his perceived enemies regardless of their race or ethnicity, it seems to me that his most bitingly acerbic comments through the years have been reserved for Black and Brown people, Black and Brown “criminals,” or those Black and Brown people who live in what he calls “sh*t-hole” countries or districts.

So yes, the irony that Defendant Donald Trump now faces criminal charges in four jurisdictions—charges levied by Black prosecutors Alvin Bragg (Manhattan) and Fani Willis (Atlanta), and one case that's being presided over by Federal Judge Tanya S. Chutkan (Washington, D.C.), is rich, indeed!

If you have read my articles over the past few years, or listened to me speak via podcasts or social media about Trump's legal travails, you probably have picked up on my concern that these prosecutions very well could push America closer to the brink of mass violent unrest. My concerns stem from the fact that Trump, unlike any politician I have observed in my lifetime, commands the blind loyalty of the assorted misfits and miscreants who showed on January 6, 2021 that they are more than willing to choose violence to protect the interests of the 45th POTUS.

The January 6th MAGA riots led to six deaths and millions of dollars in damaged property at the U.S. Capitol…

While I am fairly confident that the FBI and law enforcement officials are prepared for the worst as Defendant Trump's four criminal trials move closer to trial resolution next year, I still have grave concerns that individual attacks on the prosecutors and judges assigned to these cases will only become more pronounced!

Earlier this month, Abigail Jo Shry of Alvin, Texas placed a call to Judge Tanya Chutkan’s chambers a few days after Defendant Trump was arraigned before Her Honor on the Washington election interference case, leaving a message that not only called the judge the N-word, but added, “If Trump doesn’t get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you, so tread lightly, b*tch! You will be targeted personally, publicly, your family, all of it.” The foul mouthed Ms. Shry was arraigned in Federal Court in Texas this past week for issuing threats against Judge Chutkan and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, a Black woman who has been a leading Trump critic.

Trump supporter Abigail Shry is now facing prison time for threatening federal officials, including the presiding judge in Trump's D.C. election related case…

While Defendant Trump will claim that he had absolutely nothing to do with Ms. Shry’s criminal threats, it is important to point out that the day before she made her call to the judge’s chambers, Trump posted a message on social media about his recent arraignment before Judge Chutkan exclaiming, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”

Indeed, for those “touched in the head” Trump zealots, their former president’s words were heard loudly and clearly!

Attacks on court personnel are not unusual; in 2020, the son of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas (center), Daniel Anderl, was murdered and her husband, Mark Anderl, was wounded after a deranged lawyer who had tried a case in her courtroom—dressed as a Federal Express delivery driver—opened fire at their New Jersey home…

Now, we all know that Donald Trump is no ordinary criminal defendant; if he is convicted and sentenced to prison, his Secret Service detail will have to be incarcerated right along with him! We also know that because Trump is the front runner for the Republican nomination for president, that it was always unlikely that the typical travel restrictions that ordinary defendants face would be levied against a man who is on the road stumping for votes across America.

But where I am somewhat surprised, at least so far, is that Trump is still firing away on social media in a way that intimidates potential witnesses while encouraging, however tacitly, threats or potential violent attacks against prosecutors and judges. I can't help but wonder when, not if, one or more judges will say “enough” and hold Defendant Trump in contempt—and order him held secure in custody?

I also can't help but wonder what levels of violence will break out if a contempt citation occurs, especially considering that legions of Republican lawyer/politicians like Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C) know that Trump is breaking the law with these micro and macro aggressions against the courts, but each still rushes to Fox News or Newsmax to pretend like Trump is a blameless lamb of God who is being unfairly persecuted!

In fact, I need not worry too much—the hard core Trump fans have already shown what they are capable of doing to defend their “leader.” As such, my prayers are with all of the legal professionals —and their security details—who find or will find themselves the subject of Trump's unfounded ire in the days to come!

Stay tuned…