BULLETIN:  A FEDERAL JURY IN NEW YORK HAS FOUND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LIABLE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND DEFAMATION IN THE CIVIL CASE BROUGHT BY ADVICE COLUMNIST E. JEAN CARROLL.  THE JURY AWARDED CARROLL FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

FROM FOX NEWS DIGITAL:  Former President Donald Trump told Fox News Digital that he will appeal the ruling in the E. Jean Carroll civil case, saying he has "absolutely no idea" who she is, while blasting the verdict as a "disgrace" and "a continuation of the greatest political witch hunt in history."

COMMENT:  I cannot and will not comment on the legal aspects of this case.  I don't know if the verdict is just or unjust.  I do know that twice in recent weeks this former president has been handed a defeat by a judicial body in New York City, a place not known for kindness toward conservatives.  In the first case, as readers will recall, Mr. Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury for business fraud.  And now this new blow, coming from a federal civil court jury. 

Inevitably, and properly, our thoughts turn to the presidential campaign.  Mr. Trump, according to polls, is the leading candidate of his party.  He proclaims his innocence in both of the cases we've cited.  But there is the real world, often cruel and unfair.   Trump is facing other legal challenges in other states.  There is a good chance he may face serious election law charges in Georgia. 

The Republic Party has serious decisions to make.  How can a man with this much legal baggage, even if the charges against him are false, actually run for president?  And what happens if Mr. Trump faces conviction during the election campaign?  You may be sure that the Democrats will try to manipulate the system in states they control to make that happen. 

And how many voters might say that they cannot vote for a man with so much hanging over him?  Again, it might be unfair to Mr. Trump, but life is very unfair.  Political life is horribly unfair. 

I'll report more on this as more information becomes available.  I'd love to know your thoughts.  Please send them, for our Forum or my own use, to SERVICE@URGENTAGENDA.COM.

May 9, 2023