Donald Trump’s verdict is a good day for justice

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It’s not every day that a former president of the United States is found liable for sexual abuse and defamation.

Then again, America has never experienced a former president like the norm-busting, twice impeached, criminally indicated, serial lying, race-baiting, tax dodging, insurrectionist starting, Donald J. Trump.

It took a federal jury in Manhattan just three hours to unanimously find that Trump had sexually abused and defamed magazine writer E. Jean Carroll. The jury of six men and three women awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.

The historic civil verdict is also a significant victory for the #MeToo movement and the more than two dozen women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct. Finding defamation is also a small victory for the truth. A correction to the sea of ​​daily lies Trump has told during his tumultuous one term as president and he continues to spread.

READ MORE: Justice for all even Donald Trump | Editorial

Right on cue, Trump took to social media to unleash his usual all-caps defense. This time, it’s the verdict of the BEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME!

It’s a tired line in a country that is tired of Trumps actions at least the majority of the country doesn’t watch Fox News and still believes in truth, justice, and American democracy. Sadly, Trump still has many supporters in the Republican Party and remains the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in 2024.

Many Trump voters in 2016 knew they were electing someone who had little respect for women. Before going to the polls, the nation saw him call women rude, horse-faced and dog-faced. Trump brags about how he can grab women by their genitals.

In fact, Trump doubled down on his devastating and despicable disregard for women during his deposition at the start of Carroll’s trial. When Carrolls’ lawyer asked Trump about his comments about the rape of women captured on the infamous Access Hollywood tape, the former president did not deny it. He didn’t move.

Well, historically, that’s true of the stars, Trump said. If you look over the last million years, I think it’s even more true. Then he added, Unfortunately or fortunately.

Trump’s casual response while under oath underscores his belief that he is above the law. For years, he escaped responsibility for many of his misdeeds. But the law may finally, albeit slowly, be catching up with him.

The Trump Organization was found guilty of tax fraud last year. In April, Trump was indicted by the Manhattan district attorney on 34 counts related to falsifying records to pay an adult movie star. This summer, a district attorney in Georgia is expected to announce whether Trump will be charged there for his role in trying to interfere with the results of the 2020 election.

READ MORE: The old battle against Trump begins again | Editorial

Meanwhile, a special counsel continues to pursue two federal criminal investigations involving Trump’s efforts to subvert the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents that were removed when he left the White House.

Trump’s current presidential campaign can also be viewed as his best strategy in defending the law. If re-elected, he will probably do everything to subvert justice and evade the law. Trump has gone on record calling for the end of the Constitution. He has long criticized and attacked the Justice Department, the FBI, and the courts, and will certainly take a sledgehammer to those institutions if re-elected.

As such, American democracy remains at risk and will be tested if more criminal cases emerge. Still, with an unwavering if small base of supporters and Republican lawmakers ready to defend him, regardless of the charge or the evidence, the courts remain a place where truth can prevail.

For now, E. Jean Carrolls legal victory is a victory for all women who have been sexually assaulted, including those of the former president. It is a good day for justice which shows that no one is above the law.

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