Happy second day of Spring!

Big thanks to John Z for filling in yesterday while I was cruising the highways and byways of America the Beautiful.

I wonder what would happen if all of America could hop in the backseat and roll along together for a day blasting Sirius XM’s ‘50s channel? (Sure, the potty breaks would be a nightmare, but you get the idea.)

No Indictment Yesterday as Last-Minute Witness Undercuts Trump Case

The proverbial ax did not fall Tuesday on former President Donald Trump. No indictment over the alleged Stormy Daniels payment yet. In fact, Fox News last night reported sources are saying Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg may decide not to indict Trump after all.

One reason could be the surprise Grand Jury testimony Monday of Michael Cohen’s former legal advisor, Robert Costello. Yep. Straight out of a TV crime drama, a last minute witness to potentially muck up the works.

Costello branded Cohen a “serial liar,” and detailed how Cohen came to him looking to explore his legal options. Outside the courthouse, Costello recounted an April 2018 meeting.

The heart of it is that Michael Cohen told us that he was approached by Stormy Daniels’ lawyer and Stormy Daniels had negative information that she wanted to put in a lawsuit against Trump. So Michael Cohen decided on his own – that’s what he told us – on his own, to see if he could take care of this.

Costello said Cohen “sat with the lawyer for Stormy Daniels. They negotiated a nondisclosure agreement for $130,000.”

Costello then asked Cohen if the money negotiated with Daniels was Trump’s money. According to Costello, Cohen replied: “No, it’s not.” 

The allegation is that $130,000 Trump later gave his lawyer Cohen was payback.

Costello also detailed how desperate Cohen was to avoid jail. “He must have said that close to 20 times. This was his mantra all day long. You think a guy whose mindset right at that moment is a lie, cheat, steal shoot somebody. Whatever it takes. I’m not going to jail – Well – he went to jail, and now he’s on the revenge tour.”

The question: Does D.A. Alvin Bragg hear Costello and think, “Drat, that’s ballgame”? Or does he ignore Costello wrecking the credibility of his star witness and say, “I’m still going for it”? That’s the (Soros-funded) million dollar question.

Meanwhile Trump took to Truth Social in a late-night post Monday to address the “most disgusting witch hunt in the history of our country.”

An Apology …

It’s been pointed out that I was rather harsh and unfair Monday morning on political leaders who don’t immediately stand up and call out Manhattan D.A. Alvin Braggs … and the Biden DOJ … for what they are pulling. For how dangerous this effort is to stop Trump regardless of cost, by any means. I plead guilty. I was unfair to those who may have a valid case for not weighing in.

Some may see the situation in NY as an isolated case. “If it’s a crime. It’s a crime. If not, it’s not. The courts will sort it out.” Or they’re hesitant over the particulars of this particular case. “We’re talking about a payment to a porn star. Do I really want to go to the mats for Trump over Stormy Daniels?”

And there’ another factor — I suspect — at play. Ask our Jay Richards what his biggest issue is fighting against the surge of sex-change surgeries for kids and he says, “Convincing people it is really happening.”

I strongly suspect some people simply cannot believe — despite the overwhelming evidence — that a government “of the people, by the people and for the people” is in grave peril. It’s really happening. I mean, who wants to believe it?

Who wants to accept the implications of the leading opposition candidate being busted on charges already rejected by the Feds, the FEC and previous (liberal) D.A.? Of 50 top intelligence officials from both political parties lying about Hunter’s laptop to impact an election? Of the FBI teaming with Big Tech to throw the election, and stifle dissent. Of a former president’s home raided with a wide-open warrant over some documents he arguably had a right to have. Of the current president vowing his political opponent will be prevented from ever taking office again.

On and on. Accepting what this adds up to means having to accept that the America we love may well already be gone. And that is hard. Really, really hard.

We’re the little kid looking up at Shoeless Joe Jackson after learning his heroes had thrown the 1919 World Series. “Say it ain’t so, Joe!”

Oh, and I also referred to Stormy Daniels as a “stripper.” She was, more accurately, a porn star. Or “adult film actress” if you don’t want to credit her with being a “star” before hitting fame with her effort to wring money out of Trump.

Franklin Graham Calls for Prayer for Trump

Franklin Graham is calling for prayer for President Trump. After decrying the political nature of the alleged indictment, the never-ending effort to wreck Trump, and the “need to pray for our country and the direction it’s headed,” he said:

I would like to ask Christians in this country to pray specifically for former President Donald Trump, that God’s hand will work upon him, protect him, and direct him in every step he takes – and God’s will be done. We need to work together to strengthen this nation, not divide and destroy it.

How soon before Graham is in the FBI’s crosshairs? Asking for a friend.

Seriously, while on our knees, maybe we toss in a word for Alvin Bragg, too. A prayer that his heart may melt at the suffering in his city, and be refilled with a passion for pursuing, capturing and detaining the dangerous perpetrators his policies so lazily set free.  

#TrumpIndictment Nuggets

How nutty have things gotten? The same week Trump faces an indictment, he topped the Billboard digital sales chart. Yep, on Monday, his collaboration with the J6 Prison Choir on “Justice for All” debuted as #1 best-selling single in the land. Don’t know what the pending arrest means for his political career, but if he goes into gangsta rap, he’s golden.

That’s not the only nutty. In 2015, Trump got roasted for joking that he could kill someone in the middle of 5th Avenue and get away with it. In 2023, anyone else but Trump could kill someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it.

Which gets to my grand idea of the day: Assume Trump’s indicted. Before he heads down to the station, why not hold a big press conference at the scene of a murder committed by someone Bragg set free? Big press conference, surrounded by family members of those murdered in New York City. “How many people have suffered because of his obsession with stopping me instead of stopping crime? How many will be hurt today while he poses for the cameras and accepts the cheers from the fake news media?”

Then say, “You want to support me? Support these families. Take a vow to work with us to reduce real crime in our cities.”

Along The Stream

Our Tom Gilson has dropped a doozy of a message on forgiveness. “God Calls Us to Forgive, But He Doesn’t Call on Us to Be Stupid.”

And if we all behave, Tom is posting a thoughtful response at 9 a.m. this morning: “’Right Action is Better Than Wrong Belief’ – Progressive Christianity Contradicts Itself Again.”

 

Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream, chief barista for The Brew and co-author, with John Zmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl at GETTR, Gab, Parler, and now at TRUTH Social.