From TPM Reader JL …
I agree with a lot of your post on disorganized retreat. But I want to come at this from another angle.
For the most benefit practically and politically over the next few months, the concession that is most important imo is giving MN AG full, real time access to all evidence. Not to be crass about it but the public loves a murder trial. Talking about legislative constraints on ICE will put the public to sleep. But the public will have an endless appetite when it comes to pursuing justice for Alex Pretti and putting the man who shot him in the back of the head in jail.
Even a verbal promise from Trump that AG Ellison will have full real time access would be sufficient. If (when) DOJ renegs that just creates an opportunity to bring the issue to the forefront again and create a fight that Trump can’t and won’t win.
It’s tempting to think that the public has no ability to handle complexity. But that’s not true. During famous criminal trials the public will follow arcane evidentiary issues in great detail. It’s just a question of motivation. And I suspect a clear majority of Americans will be highly motivated to see the gangland style execution of Alex Pretti avenged. Democrats need to keep their eyes on that prize.
