Donald Trump’s entire political career, not even a decade long, has presented one conundrum after another to America and the world. But his indictment in federal court on 37 counts related to violations of the Espionage Act put things in a whole different category.
The indictment is thorough, shocking and puts two prospects in front of the American people as the country enters the 2024 Presidential election season.
First, that the presumptive Republican Party nominee – Mr Trump is outpolling all opponents combined – will be on trial during the campaign.
Second, if he is convicted, which is a real possibility, then Mr Trump will be imprisoned. This isn’t a case about paying hush money to an adult film actor. This is about retaining top secret documents relating to war plans, America’s and her allies. His former Attorney General William Barr, said: “If even half of it is true, then he's toast. It's a very detailed indictment and it's very damning.”
The potential for this situation to spin out of control was immediately clear in the white-hot rhetoric of pro-Trump people.
Matthew Whittaker, Mr Barr’s predecessor as Attorney General, said the indictment was “the stuff of a banana republic”.
The Murdoch-owned Fox News, on the day of Mr Trump’s arraignment, went full banana republic media outlet, running a chyron under a picture of President Joe Biden giving a speech that read: “Wannabe dictator speaks at the White House after having his political rival arrested.”
From the liberal side of the argument came loud voices demanding a Trump prosecution with possible jail time if convicted saying: “Hang the consequences, no one is above the law.”
This is not entirely true. The American justice system has been known to favour those who can afford the best attorneys. The wealthy may not be above the law but they can avoid the consequences of breaking it.
Others, both conservatives and liberals, said the prospect of a former and possibly future US president being tried put the country in peril and wondered aloud whether pursuing justice to the point of jailing Mr Trump was wise. Especially since even lenient sentencing would raise the possibility that the 77-year-old might die in prison.
But America was in peril long before Mr Trump decided to run for president. He is a symptom of it, not its creator.
Those calling for the full measure of the law and punishment for Mr Trump if he's convicted forget one source of that peril: Republican politicians' unslakable thirst for vengeance. You can make a very strong case that the modern Republican Party is the end product of a half century long campaign of revenge for Richard Nixon’s forced resignation over Watergate.
America was in peril long before Mr Trump and at least a part of the reason is the Republican party’s obsession with vengeance
In 1978, a young Republican in Georgia running for Congress, Newt Gingrich, laid it out in speech after speech. Republicans needed to stop being nice. There could only be one winner in the contest between America’s two political parties and it would be the Republicans.
No more bipartisanship, no more polite language. Scorched earth competition with Democrats was the way forward.
The change didn’t happen overnight but by the time the Republicans regained the majority in the House of Representatives and Mr Gingrich was named speaker, Democrat Bill Clinton was president, and Republicans made his time in office a misery with investigations.
Mr Clinton did help out with his reckless personal behaviour.
Mr Gingrich and company never shied away from the Watergate comparison and ultimately Mr Clinton was impeached, although he survived his trial in the Senate.
Then there is the Supreme Court. In 1987, Ronald Reagan appointed Robert Bork, an extreme conservative judge to the Court. He had been a participant in one of the major moments in the Watergate saga known as the Saturday Night Massacre.
Mr Bork was not confirmed by the Senate. Conservative Republicans howled and vowed vengeance.
It took nearly 30 years but the Republicans got their revenge. When another former US president Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016 he wasn’t even given the courtesy of a hearing.
When I say America was in peril long before Mr Trump, at least a part of the reason is the Republican Party’s obsession with vengeance. Mr Trump speaks the language of revenge as easily as he says his name. Shortly before he was indicted, he told supporters at a rally: “I am your retribution.”
In light of the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol, whipped up by Mr Trump, the threat of retribution needs to be taken seriously.
But the argument for pursuing Mr Trump is also a good one and it comes down to the charges: Espionage Act. “Espionage” is a powerful word. Charges under this act are rarely brought unless the documents in question have been shared with foreign actors.
And more charges are expected in other cases. Racketeering, another powerful word, in the case of his trying to get the 2020 election result in the state of Georgia overturned.
Fani Willis, the Fulton County Georgia District Attorney, leading the investigation has already written to the local police chief to prepare extra security for after she makes her announcement sometime in mid-July.
It is hard to see a good solution. Perhaps there is no point in looking for one. As I said, America has long been in peril, the damage Mr Trump has done to the country cannot be undone. And whatever happens, some Republican politicians will seek revenge.
“Let’s wait and see how things play out” is not the most forceful opinion in the world but it might be the right one to hold. Huge crowds were expected in Miami at the former US president's arraignment last Tuesday.
But the turnout was small and there was no violence. The rhetoric was hot from the usual suspects on Fox News and other pro-Trump media outlets, but it is possible that a bit of Trump fatigue is creeping into American life.
On a recent reporting trip to the US, I got the sense that some of the former president’s staunchest supporters were taking a step back.
“I’m not asking him to be my pastor,” one political Christian in Kentucky told me. He would vote for Mr Trump as long as he could be effective in helping him achieve his political aims.
When that is no longer the case this Republican’s transaction with Mr Trump would be over.
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Draw for Europa League last-16
Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen; VfL Wolfsburg v Shakhtar Donetsk; Inter Milan v Getafe
Sevilla v AS Roma; Eintracht Frankfurt or Salzburg v Basel; LASK v Manchester United
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Listen to Extra Time
Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
SPECS
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Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
