On “Vermont Edition,” a radio show associated with Vermont Public, VT GOP Chair Paul Dame on Monday discussed reactions to the indictment against former president Donal Trump.
The chair of Vermont’s Republican Party insisted that until more clear facts are known about the case, it cannot be concluded whether this was politically motivated or not.
“There’s just not a whole lot of information available yet,” Dame said on the program. “We don’t know what the charges are and nobody has any clear idea what the evidence is.”
Paul Dame, chairman of the Vermont GOP
He added, “it may be a little bit early to speculate until some more things are made clear.”
Dame spoke about “the essence of our justice system,” and suggested the entire event has become politicized.
“I was a little disappointed earlier when I heard one of the callers mention the charge and say ‘which I’m sure he’s guilty of’ — well, we don’t know what the charge is and we don’t know what the evidence is,” he said.
He added that this development is only going to add to public distrust between the major parties.
“I’m sure there are people who assume that Trump has done nothing wrong, and again we don’t know what the charges or the evidence are,” he said. “… It just reminds Republicans that there’s a concern out there. The question is, are Democrats abusing their power to focus on hurting their political opponents, and should their time be focused on helping the residents of their state?”
Will people be swayed by a Trump prosecution?
Dame warned that it may appear political if Trump continues to be prosecuted.
“If it goes the other way and we find out — as has been alluded here that this is a five-year-old charge and really a conspiracy that amounts to a couple of people agreeing that that’s what these payments are for, not some vast right-wing conspiracy that we’ve heard about from Democrats before — you know, if the charges are weak and the evidence is weak, then it really brings into question what are the dangers, not to our Democracy, but now to our justice system when we get people involved, especially those that are elected along partisan lines.”
When asked if the indictment of Trump would further divide the Vermont GOP, he said it would depend on the facts.
“Again it all depends on what the facts of the case are,” he said. “I’ve talked to a number of people who are still solid Trump supporters and I don’t know that there will be anything that will deter them. And people will see this as sort of a continuation of the attacks against him while he was in office.”
He added, “some people see this as a continual persecution of a political opponent.”
Discouraging for the public
Dame noted that these constant attacks against public figures serve to discourage the general public from getting involved in politics.
“It makes good, honest people say, ‘well, you know this is not something that I want to get involved in, because if we find out that Trump is innocent of each of these charges, then it’s a whole lot of media speculation and intention and slandering for something that somebody might be innocent of.’ And unfortunately, I think it gets people to be less involved in the political process, and that’s a real shame as well,” he said.
Dame said Republicans have not attempted to prosecute Democrat officials for events that occurred long in the past.
“In this case, you have a Democrat-elected prosecutor going after a Republican candidate, former candidate, and former officeholder,” he said. “I am not aware of any examples that we’ve had a Republican prosecutor going after current or former candidates of Democrats in a similar type of scenario.”
Dame added: “We’re more familiar with the IRS … going after conservative groups. It seems like we’re starting to develop a pattern there.”
Michael Bielawski is a reporter for True North. Send him news tips at bielawski82@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TrueNorthMikeB.
But — what Trump did do was lift up the rock to which the snakes live, giving light for all to see. He exposed the vermin assembled under that rock “The Deep State” to protect Clinton, Bush and Obama legacy, who reigned for 23 years over the slaughter of better than 11 million souls; in endless wars, aimed at protecting corrupted politicians, corporate greed and a military complex. Now we tolerate the continued burying in the stench of and for Old Joe to continue the tradition of cover your ass, by facilitating the slaughter of yet more souls in endless war and for what end, but to continue the perverse power grab over the masses of an intentionally under educated electorate, gratuitously provided through “Confucius Centers on our college campuses” and our complicit department of un- education . Lets not forget to mention the integrity compromised and dishonest media.
What appears Trump did, was build real equity into jobs for all who want them, no racism involved just good old Americanism.
He brought to the table a semblance of peace to the hell inflected nations caused by those mis guided “ LEADERS “wars of devision. Wars created by endless intervention and regime change efforts in the name of “PEACE”. It appears , Trump exposed the real crime family’s of Bushes , Clinton’s and of course Old Joe,”The big guy” the deep state and the outside NWO influences not governed by the American electorate but by bribery, extortion and greed.
This sculduggery form of governance now so entrapped, Marxist Communists governance is their only salvation. China sees how corrupt our politicians are, because they recognize corruption as vulnerabilities. They and Russia and greed willfully implanted and tolerated in our ideology’s devision in nearly all aspects of societies rational human nature. That’s how over taken a once arguably proud Democratic and Republican Party and political system has lost its way, becoming so destructive to a Great Republic — we recognize — we must keep. The consequence is the loss of our freedom to say “YES OR NO” but only yes master or no master. Wake up Amazing America! “Wake up”.
America has been turned into a third world country. I would rather be a citizen of Russia right now. Just think about what we currently look like to the rest of the world. This will only make PRESIDENT TRUMP stronger and add more patriots to his growing army. How much longer will it be before we take back America by the only means left, armed rebellion.
It’s on the horizon and getting closer every day.
Well, here’s a “Gomer Pyle” moment….”Well, Golleeee”…does this surprise anyone, the judge in NY on Trump….donates to liberals & progressives…..well, Golleeeee 🙂
“Meet the judge presiding over President Donald Trump’s criminal case: Acting New York County Supreme Court Justice Juan Manuel Merchan, an apparent 2020 Biden donor whose daughter once worked for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, Merchan donated three times to ActBlue in the summer of 2020, once on July 26, 2020, when the judge’s donation was—according to the FEC—earmarked for President Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. The other two of Merchan’s contributions were pledged to the Progressive Turnout Project (PTP), a left-wing PAC that rallies voter turnout for Democrat candidates, and Stop Republicans….”
With the proverbial due respect, Mr. Dame….You are the 97 pound weakling on the beach…and the Dem/Progressive/Socialists are the muscle heads. They own you, they kick sand in your face …and you just sit back and take it. I see tons of VT Repubs with the “make nice”, “balanced” attitude…I see no fighting response – anywhere. IMO, the 2024 election Senate, House & President is the most pivotal one of my lifetime, and the country. Either you fight back, or succumb to the Socialist state, not founded on….They almost have won. They already CONTROL Education, almost ALL the Media….they control TECH and social media (twitter, facebook, google)…they will control election outcomes (cheat) when need be…and control many of the courts & judges (thank you George Soros ). All they need now is to brainwash the people to vote for them…and what better way than telling them the the dire threat will be dead, kaput… CLIMATE EXTINCT – if you don’t vote Dem.
Within an hour after the “arraignment,” another court verdict issued – “Stormy” Daniels has to pay over $122K to 45 in legal fees. I believe that makes a total now of over $600K she owes 45? Meanwhile, Japan agrees to buy oil from Russia. Our currency is deemed toxic to nearly a 1/3 of global trade. By all means, keep your attention on the “made for TV” circus as our country and currency circles the drain. When do the millionaires starting line cutting at the food bank?
Just a small note: we are supposed to be a republic, not a democracy as you state in this article. We don’t vote people off the island or to jail in America, it’s the rule of law.
I am furious this is happening to President Trump, going after him again. AGAIN!!! Democrats are so afraid of him, they are trying everything to run him out! I hope this backfires big time on the Democrats and all those criminal politicians are exposed and prosecuted!!!
In our system people are innocent until proven guilty. We are a nation of laws and every person is entiltled to that persumtion of innocence. At the same time no one is above the law.
Prosecutors can bring charges against an individual if they have amassed enough evidence to convince a grand jury that it is warrented. The bar for this is less than the bar for proving quilt in a trail and often convictions are not obtained.
A good example is the Durham investigation into government investigations into a Russain connection to the 2016 Trump campaign. This investigation was started by the Trump Administration and continued by the Biden Administration until it ended in 2023 after almost four years and spending over 6 million dollars. John Durham was given a great deal of resources and wide lattitude. In the end one person pleaded quilty in a matter unrelated to the origisn of the FBI investigation and two cases were taken to trail. Both resulted in the parties charged being found innocent. While there was a great deal of speculation and hype, in the end there was really nothing that could stand up in court.
The same may be true of these charges and Donald Trump. What Trump deserves is the persumtion of innocence and a fair trail. A rush to pass judgement before the process plays itself out is not in the best interest of anyone and certainly not in the best interest of our country.
You know what’s crazy? It’s like the Left and Right can’t bear to keep their champions on the straight and narrow. They keep cheering for these rule-breakers, flinging blame around like a boomerang, ’cause apparently, if one side bends the law, the other gets a free pass. Madness, I tell ya!
The Dems are too stupid to realize that they just turned every swing state red in 2024 if we last that long. Sadly, Vermont is too far gone that that to happen.
Best thing you’ll watch today!
https://twitter.com/dom_lucre/status/1643219370410213379?s=20
I was happy to see pickups flying the stars and stripes on a short trip to town today. But this link Laura posted gives me hope!
Good grief, Mr. Dame! Have you been under a rock for the past 7 years? To say, “…it may appear political if Trump continues to be prosecuted.” You should have said that 7 years ago, but to come forward with that now, shows me you are most likely a RINO and definitely NOT a Trump supporter. Even if you don’t like the man, if the left gets away with this illegal chicanery, NONE of us are safe. Stop sitting on the fence and take a side!!
Spot on, Kathy…Mr. Dame is playing “mealy-mouth”…middle-of-the-road-careful…. he likes Mitt Romney style… He honestly thinks that if he shows “balance”, an “open mind”….calm…that somehow liberals or Dems will give him kudos. THEY WON’T. They will either spit on you or stab you in the back. If Mr. Dames cannot see the issue here, then why is he VT Repub chair? Mr. Dame, please write this paragraph out – 25 times…and maybe a light will turn on in your head:
Bill Clinton paid $850,000 in the early 90’s to get PAULA JONES to stop her sex lawsuit….no charges filed. Then CLINTON “denied & lied” under oath he never had sex with Monica Lewinsky? THEN she provided his semen from her blue dress? Clinton ruined her life.….and another presidential candidate John Edwards also paid off a gal. BOTH of them are Dems and never were touched. LOOK AT Ted Kennedy! He killed a girl – let her drown in Chappaquiddick, to save his career? No charges filed. But somehow they manufactured 34 FELONIES on Trump? This country is toast.
Jeffrey even Mitt Romney knows what is going on.. and had to admit this:
“New York Prosecutor stretched stretched to reach felony criminal charges”.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/romney-trump-charges-stretch
Mr.Dame is embarrassing.
These old washed up squishballs are making a feeble attempt at keeping the Republican party just as the Democrats want the Republican party to be, but this ain’t flying at all anymore.
They’ve awoken a giant and Mr.Dame is going to find himself sorry to have been part of the problem that has brought us here.
*Typo.. he only stretched once.. that was plenty Lol.
Yeah, hate to say…but Mr. Dame will never, ever…. stand & defend. He is still in a “make-nice-can’t-we-get-along” mode…He actually thinks that if he is calm, collected… “caring”… to “listen” all sides….that the Republican ideals will get thru to the VT populous? WAKE UP DUDE….Don’t ever donate $ to the Repub party in VT if all you will get is mealy-mouth,,, and someone playing up to “get-along” emotions… to the Dems (who viciously play for keep)… in hopes they “like” him better? Ya’ gotta be crazy …..
Jeffrey,
Great summary
21) Trump did not lose the 2020 Election
Willem, it is Victor Davis Hanson writing…his full piece is here:
https://amgreatness.com/2023/04/02/indict-one-and-all/
How is is that Bill Clinton paid $850,000 in the early 90’s to get PAULA JONES to stop her sex lawsuit….no charges filed….Then CLINTON lied under oath he never had sex with Monica Lewinsky? THEN she provided his semen of his from her blue dress?….and another presidential candidate John Edwards also paid off a gal. BOTH of them are Dems and never were touched. LOOK AT Ted Kennedy! He killed a girl, let her drown, to save his career? No charges filed. But somehow they manufactured 34 FELONIES on Trump? This country is toast.
What happened to the Congressional slush fund that was used to pay off families of raped pages with our tax dollars? They sure fought to prevent the release of that information.
“SOME PEOPLE?”
You mean more than half the US voters
All this is a ” political witch hunt “, the DemocRATs understand that when DJT takes office
in 2025, he will be unleashed, they are scared S-less and they deserve what they get !!
You” do not ” have to like Trump, but he can and will save this country from the feckless Biden
administration’s unconstitutional and reckless agenda towards the USA.
Blue-collar Democrats, and Independents they don’t like you either, wake up !!
It is a witch hunt the way they are treating President Trump. If they would spend as much energy per suing Hunter Biden as they have Trumo, they could reopen Alcatraz to put behind bars the Biden criminal family.
That was from Victor Davis Hanson…smart guy. he finished with this good one:
“All of the above is predicated on a simple premise: Were the opposition to match tit-for-tat these Democratic means, then the republic would quickly descend into a spiral of illegality and chaos analogous to what ended the late Roman Republic. That fact is well known to the new hard-left Democratic Party. So it has assumed the role of the spoiled teen who feels he has a blank check of lawless behavior that his parents would not dare emulate, given that for adults to do so would destroy the family.
In other words, the Left is saying to America something along the following lines, “We are so morally superior to you that we can and must employ any means necessary to achieve our unpopular political ends. But you cannot respond in kind or deter us by mimicking our own tactics, because should both parties do so, the resulting disorder would undermine the republic. And that is something you won’t dare do.”
Very long, but 20 examples of the continuous fraud on Trump:
1) Trump did not violate federal law, as did Hillary Clinton, by destroying federally subpoenaed emails and devices in order to hide evidence.
2) Trump did not violate federal law, as did Hillary Clinton, by sending classified government communications on her own, through an unsecured home-brewed server.
3) Trump did not violate federal law, as did Hillary Clinton, by hiring—through three paywalls—a foreign national, who is prohibited from working on presidential campaigns, to compile a dossier to smear her presidential opponent.
4) Trump did not violate federal campaign laws, as did Hillary Clinton, by hiding her payments (as “legal services”) to Christopher Steele through bookkeeping deceptions.
5) Trump did not, as did Bill Clinton, use a crony to search out a high-paying New York job for a paramour in order to influence her testimony before a special counsel.
6) Trump did not, as did Bill Clinton, receive a $500,000 “honorarium” for speaking in Moscow while his wife, our secretary of state, approved a longstanding and lucrative desire of the Kremlin for North American uranium to be sold to a Russian consortium.
7) Trump did not, as did Barack Obama, promise Vladimir Putin that he would be “flexible” on “missile defense” if during his own reelection bid Putin in return would give him “space”. That quid pro quo arrangement led to the U.S. abandonment of key joint missile defense systems with Poland and the Czech Republic, and, reciprocally, less than two years later a Russia invasion, mostly unopposed by the United States, of eastern Ukraine and the Crimea.
8) Trump did not boast publicly, as did Joe Biden, that he used U.S. foreign aid monies as leverage to have the Ukrainian government fire a prosecutor who may have been looking into the Biden family’s efforts to sell influence to corrupt Ukrainian interests.
9) Trump did not, as the Bidens did, set up a family consortium to leverage monies from Ukraine, Russia, and China, on their shared expectations that he might soon run for and be elected president and become compromised. Trump is not mentioned, as is Joe Biden, in family business communications as a recipient of a 10 percent commission on such payoffs.
10) Trump did not, unlike Joe Biden, remove presidential papers—without any authority to declassify them—and leave them scattered and unsecured in a garage and various residences and offices.
11) Trump did not, as did the FBI, wipe clean subpoenaed mobile phone records.
12) Trump did not, as did interim FBI head Andrew McCabe, admittedly lie under oath on four occasions to federal investigators.
13) Trump did not, as did CIA Director John Brennan, admittedly lie on two occasions while under oath to the U.S. Congress.
14) Trump did not, as did Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, admittedly lie on one occasion to the U.S. Congress.
15) Trump did not, as did James Comey, claim amnesia or ignorance 245 times while under oath before the U.S. Congress.
16) Trump did not, as did FBI Director James Comey, summarize a confidential private conversation with a president and then deliberately leak that classified memo to the media for his own agenda of appointing a special counsel to investigate the president—which turned out to be his friend Robert Mueller.
17) Trump did not, as did Robert Mueller, claim ignorance while under oath when asked about the Steele dossier and Fusion GPS, the catalysts for Mueller’s own investigation.
18) Trump did not, as did private citizen and former secretary of state John Kerry, meet clandestinely while out of office with Iranian officials to help them resist current U.S. policy toward Iran—or what the Boston Globe characterized as “unusual shadow diplomacy” to “apply pressure on the Trump administration from the outside.”
19) Trump did not, as did the FBI and CIA, pay clandestine money to Twitter to monitor and smother news stories deemed unhelpful to their agendas.
20) Trump did not, as did then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whip up a mob at the doors of the Supreme Court by threatening two sitting justices by name to intimidate them concerning an impending judicial ruling: “I want to tell you Gorsuch, I want to tell you Kavanaugh: You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you.”
23) He didn’t like Pfizer did and is still doing pay, off all the news, all gov, weaponize social media with the help of the federal government all dissenting information on covid, that would have saved millions of lives and trillions of tax payer dollars. Run by corrupt top brass in the military, who are corrupt.
Perhaps god’s plan is like when Haman wanted to crush the Jews? He made the gallows for Mordecai and instead they were for him? Book of Esther rocks. Just like when they thought they could kill Jesus, God has a much better plan for his people.
Happy Resurrection day to you Lord Jesus, and us!
TGBTG