I’ve been having an ongoing exchange with a TPM Reader and friend about the simple question: Why is Mike Johnson doing this? Like YOLO Johnson, sure. But why? He’s been kind of dragging along for six months and yeah, it’s kind of embarrassing, but it’s always been embarrassing. Why the “Let’s Be Legends” vibe now?
My friend asked if I thought it might be some sudden shift in the intelligence about the situation in Ukraine. Maybe, I said. But that didn’t seem right to me. Far more likely it was that the parliamentary dynamics simply hit a breaking point, perhaps spurred on by the sudden pressure to move Israel aid. If you’ve got one foot on the dock and another on the ship and the ship starts to pull off you have to make a choice. Stay or go. Equivocate and you fall in the water.
But this article from Politico suggests that new intelligence actually did play a key role.
In all the ink that Morning Memo has spilled on Trump’s threat to the rule of law, there is an implied exhortation to prosecutors, judges, lawyers, and others to do their damn jobs without fear or favor and not shrink from the current moment.
But if there’s anything we’ve learned it’s that the legal system alone isn’t enough if there doesn’t remain enough civic spirit to sustain it.
A professionalized legal system, a long legal tradition, and all of the procedural formalities and structures to support, enforce and consistently apply the rule of law isn’t by itself sufficient if the body politic has abandoned the principles that undergird the entire endeavor.
So it has warmed my heart this week to hear multiple prospective jurors in the Trump hush-money case assert that no one is above the law. As a statement of fact, that is unassailable. But it’s more important as a civic virtue. It states an expectation and an aspiration for who we are and what we want to be.
Nothing is quite as succinct a distillation of the American revolutionary experience: No one is above the law. (Where we have been at our worst is putting people – enslaved peoples, minorities, women, immigrants – outside of the law.) We are seeing random citizens who are imbued with an innate understanding of what the rule of law means. That civic-minded understanding of the rule of law is the bedrock foundation for the legal structures we erect upon it. Without it, we have nothing. It’s a small sign of hope in a troubled time.
What Happened In Court Thursday
The main news of the day was that a jury of 12 was selected, but it was a little bumpy getting there. The day started with 7 jurors already selected, but by midday that number had shrunk to 5. But by day’s end, the initial 12 were picked and the selection of alternate jurors had begun.
The original Juror #2 withdrew partly over concerns that she had already been identified publicly or nearly so. Geez, I wonder how:
Fox News host Jesse Watters on Tuesday broadcast extensive biographical details about Juror No. 2 — her neighborhood, occupation, education, marital and family status, and what industry her fiance works in.
He concluded by saying, "I'm not so sure about Juror No. 2."
Another juror showed up late and was removed for unknown reasons, but prosecutors suggested the juror had not answered truthfully when asked about past arrests.
Selection of the six alternates continues today, and we look on track to begin the trial proper early next week.
For more on yesterday’s developments:
TPM’s Josh Kovensky: Trump Takes Aim At Concept Of Impartiality In Jury Selection
NYT: After Reports About Trump Jurors, Judge Demands Restraint From the Press
Politico: Trump spent the day listening to strangers insult him. And he couldn’t say a single thing back.
Trump Unbound
Prosecutors identified what they claim are seven new violations by Trump of the gag order against him in the hush-money case. The judge will take up the alleged gag order violations Wednesday in a separate hearing while the trial is in recess.
What Will History Say?
I vacillate between two poles on this question. Will future generations ask “What did you do to fight the fascism, grandma?” or will they be more likely to be incredulous: “What the hell was wrong with ya’ll – THIS guy was a threat?”
Trump: It is a shame. I am sitting here for days now from morning until night in that freezing room. Freezing! All for this. This is your result. It is very unfair. pic.twitter.com/K0cjplq9nH
With many unresolved motions backed up in her queue, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon managed to dispense with a couple of fairly minor motions to dismiss in the Mar-a-Lago case. But don’t worry. She still hasn’t ruled on several of the major pending motions or set a trial date. So we’re still in a legal Neverland in this case.
Perfect!
WaPo: “A top leader of the national conservative group Turning Point Action, which has amplified false claims of election fraud by former president Donald Trump and others, resigned Thursday after being accused of forging voter signatures on official paperwork so that he could run for reelection in the Arizona House.”
I See …
ABC News: Matt Gaetz attended 2017 party where minor and drugs were present, woman’s sworn statement obtained by Congress claims
MTG Makes Me Nostalgic For Michele Bachmann
Philip Bump: Marjorie Taylor Greene would like to remind us that she is not serious
RED ALERT
TPM’s Khaya Himmelman: Constitutional Sheriffs Group Plans To Insert Itself Into More Aspects Of The Voting Process In 2024
Politico: Trump campaign says it will deploy thousands of election workers to monitor poll sites
Abortion Will Be On The Ballot In Nevada, Too
The Nevada Supreme Court cleared the way for an abortion rights amendment to the state Constitution to be on the November ballot as part of a complicated two-step process to win approval: “Putting the language into the Nevada Constitution requires voter approval in two consecutive elections. If the ballot initiative passes a first time, it would go to a vote again in 2026. If approved again, it would become law.”
Ukraine Aid Moves Forward In House
With unusual help from Democrats, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) moved a foreign aid package that includes relief for embattled Ukraine one step closer to a final vote late last night – and put himself potentially closer to losing his speakership.
Johnson got the package through the House Rules Committee only because of Democratic votes. A final floor vote could some as early as Saturday. At this point, with all the usual caveats, the package does look likely to pass.
For more on Johnson’s about-face on Ukraine:
Greg Sargent: Mike Johnson’s Shockingly Pro-Ukraine Speech Really Sticks It to MAGA
WSJ: Mike Johnson Opposed Ukraine Aid. Then He Risked His Job for It.
Quote Of The Day
There is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement.
WaPo: Secret Russian foreign policy document urges action to weaken the U.S.
Israel Strikes Inside Iran Overnight
Based on early reports, Israel’s retaliation inside Iran for the drone and missile attack last weekend on Israel seems relatively limited. A rundown of the major headlines:
WSJ: Israel Strikes Iran in Narrow Attack Amid Escalation Fears
NYT: Muted Initial Response to Strike Suggests Iran and Israel Want to Avoid Escalation
Bloomberg: Israel Debates If Reported Strike on Iran Was Big Enough
12:57 a.m.: It’s hard to know the precise significance of Israel’s retaliatory strike or how Iran might respond. So far Iran seems to be downplaying the attack internally, basically saying it was no big deal and showing video of Isfahan as if nothing was going on. And the attack does seem to have been fairly limited. But what jumps out is that the Israeli drones or at least most of them were able to hit deep within Iran without much problem. I assume that was the message of the strike: that Israel can strike deep within Iran basically at will, unlike Iran’s experience having virtually every one of its missiles and drones shot down. The Israeli target was a drone facility Isfahan. But that’s also where Iran’s nuclear facilities are, which were not targeted. As best I can tell, that’s the message: our missiles and drones get through.
10:55 p.m.: Unclear what’s happening yet. But there is clearly a major Israeli retaliation underway over the skies in Iran. Flights are being diverted. Airspace closed. Here’s the list I’m watching on Twitter if you’re still on Twitter. CNN says the attack is on non-nuclear targets. Presumably they are getting that directly from the Israelis or what the Israelis told the Americans. Apparently the Israelis gave the U.S. a significant heads up that this was coming.
The Nevada Supreme Court unanimously greenlit the language of an abortion rights amendment Thursday, putting it on track to feature on the state’s November ballot.
This week the United Arab Emirates experienced historic rains and flooding causing airports, schools, and businesses to shut down. The region received about a year’s worth of rain in one day and the infrastructure of cities such as Dubai was unprepared to handle the deluge. The rains began late Monday and lasted through Tuesday. On Thursday, many roads were still closed due to flooding.
People exit their cars and wade through a flooded street
People wade through a submerged street after heavy rain in United Arab Emirates on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Cars submerged on the street
A view of submerged cars after heavy rainfall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A Dubai highway is flooded, stranding vehicles
Cars are stranded on a flooded street in Dubai following heavy rains on April 18, 2024. Dubai’s giant highways were clogged by flooding and its major airport was in chaos as the Middle East financial center remained gridlocked, a day after the heaviest rains on record. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
More stranded cars on flooded streets
Cars stranded on April 18, 2024. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
Cars attempt to drive through flooded streets
Cars drive in a flooded street on April 17, 2024. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
The storm has passed but streets remain flooded
Cars are stranded on a flooded al-Khalil road in the al-Barsha area in Dubai following heavy rains on April 18, 2024. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
Traffic backed up on Dubai highway due to flooding
People walk along an flooded highway on April 18, 2024 (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
A man sits on a fence in front of a flooded store
A man sits on the fence in front of a flooded store as people wade through submerged streets on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Two people use an inflatable mattress as a raft
Two men use an inflatable bed to float above the water on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Someone steers a canoe through flooded streets
A man steers his canoe on a flooded street in Dubai following heavy rains on April 18, 2024. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
Cars navigate flooded streets
Cars drive in a flooded street following heavy rains in Sharjah on April 17, 2024. (Photo by AHMED RAMAZAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Trucks pump water from streets
Trucks pump water from a flooded street following heavy rains in Sharjah on April 17, 2024. (Photo by AHMED RAMAZAN/AFP via Getty Images)
A man crosses a flooded street
A man crosses a flooded street following heavy rains in Sharjah on April 17, 2024. (Photo by AHMED RAMAZAN/AFP via Getty Images)
People find ways to navigate flooded streets
People wade through submerged streets after heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
People trying to stay dry on flooded streets
People try to avoid getting wet as they cross a flooded street following heavy rains in Sharjah on April 17, 2024. (Photo by AHMED RAMAZAN/AFP via Getty Images)
A car almost completely submerged by flood water
Cars are stranded on a flooded in Dubai following heavy rains on April 18, 2024. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
A new episode of The Josh Marshall Podcast is live! This week, Kate and Josh discuss the beginning of the New York hush money trial, arguments at the Supreme Court that could affect a different Trump trial and Mike Johnson’s newest woes.
You can listen to the new episode of The Josh Marshall Podcast here.
On Tuesday afternoon, the CEO of MyPillow Mike Lindell, along with a cadre of election deniers, spoke in front of a crowd of what organizers boasted could be over 800 people at the Ahern Hotel in Las Vegas, during an all-day event hosted by the far-right Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.
I don’t pretend to even understand the moving parts of how this is supposed to work. But almost out of the blue Speaker Mike Johnson has decided to go all-in on an aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. As this started to come into view over the last two or three days, I’ve had a number of TPM Readers write in to say, why is this happening? What’s the catch? Or, why is he walking the plank like this? What is he sacrificing his Speakership for? And I don’t have a really good answer.
