In “Trump not immune from being sued for Jan. 6 riot, judges rule,” a WaPo article, there’s a sly logic problem that a Trump attorney attempts to get by the judges:
Trump attorney Jesse Binnall said at oral argument that it didn’t matter that Trump’s purpose was political. “You cannot separate the governance from reelection,” he said. “If the president wants reelection, it’s so he can continue to govern.”
Governing is what a political executive does, but it’s not necessarily why a politician seeks election or reelection. It might be, but it can, and more often is, a satisfaction of the ego needs of the politician, or a stepping stone to higher office, or a goal peculiar to the emotional or professional requirements of the politician. In Trump’s case, protection from prosecution seems obvious, while less obvious is to derive pecuniary benefit beyond the pale from his position.
Although speculating on the drives of a man who seems to be driven by equal parts religious mania and pathological narcissism is probably a mug’s game.
Through this assertion, Trump’s attorney hopes to immunize Trump from further investigation into his motives. It won’t work, I trust, as the judiciary is full of smart eggs who should see through this ploy.
