The Snap and the Scowl: The Trump Mugshot Ignites a Tinderbox Nation
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
We often discuss the long-standing question of whether it is better for your client to smile or not smile in a mugshot. Some believe a smile conveys a lack of contrition while others view a frown as looking guilty. In the first mugshot of a former American president, Trump rejected both the "carefree smile" and the "disapproving frown" and went with seething scowl. It is a mugshot that unfortunately will resonate with both extremes in our political system.
In Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Fautus, the devil Mephistopheles (Marlowe spells the name "Mephistophilis") shows him Helen of Troy, "the face who launched a thousand ships" that released a firestorm.
The Trump mugshot is likely to launch millions of ships . . . all in the wrong directions.
For District Attorney Fani Willis and many of her supporters, the mugshot clearly holds a type of trophy kill appeal worthy of framing and mounting on a wall. This is one of those moments long portrayed on teeshirts and other merchandise for many on the left.
For many Trump supporters, it is a moment of gratuitous insult of a president who is now being prosecuted in four different states just before an election where he is the leading Republican candidate. For the most extreme, it will be portrayed as a virtual declaration of war, proof that the establishment will use every means to prevent another 2016 populist victory.
It is noteworthy that, like his critics, Trump is already selling merchandise with the mugshot and a "Never Surrender" slogan.
In that way, the mugshot will be the rallying cry at both extremes in our political system.
For that reason, I believe the mugshot was a mistake, an inflammatory moment wisely avoided in New York by another Democratic prosecutor. It is entirely unnecessary for the most recognized face in the United States.
The fact, however, is that many on both sides relish the rage. I have previously said that the most unnerving fact of what I have called "the age of rage" is that people secretly enjoy it. Rage is addictive. It allows people to say and do things that they would ordinarily avoid in public. It is a license to hate blindly and excuse all means to achieve an end.
I think that the Georgia, New York, and federal January 6th indictments are unwarranted and threaten free speech. Moreover, it is valid for many to object that these prosecutions could have occurred years ago, but were launched just before the presidential election so that Trump will be running from court to court through the general election.
It is also true that the Mar-a-Lago case is more serious and more substantive . . . and that threat is continuing to grow as a threat for Trump as witnesses change their testimony and Trump aides confirm key prosecution claims.
Likewise, while I believe the case against Trump in the Georgia indictment is weak, there are defendants in that case that face stronger claims on specific election-related crimes.
Of course, in an age of rage, reason is the first to die. We cannot allow that to happen; we cannot allow rage addicts to drive our political or legal processes. We have the greatest legal system in the world. We will sort out these issues from the criminalization of political speech to the claim that Trump can be barred from the ballot even without a charge or conviction.
Courts are likely to divide on these issues. However, we remain a nation of laws. That tradition takes a certain leap of faith. We do not support that the system only when we prevail. That is the view of court packers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.,Y.). Notably, Ocasio-Cortez even said that she does not understand why we need a Supreme Court.
Even law professors and legal commentators have called our Constitution "trash" and called for the country to "reclaim America from constitutionalism." That is the greatest danger of these times: that our deep divisions will cause us to lose faith in our defining values and in each other.
The Trump mugshot captures a defining moment for our country. It will define us. I believe that it is paramount that appellate courts consider the merits of the free speech and other challenges to the Georgia, New York, and federal cases. That may be difficult if judges support these prosecutors in demanding trials before constitutional appeals are taken. Appellate judges could agree, in good faith, that challenges are premature before any convictions.
The important thing is for citizens not to be played as chumps. We will sort this out. The courts will address these important legal issues as citizens resolve the equally important political issues raised by these prosecutions.
The merchandising and madness aside, we have more matters to resolve . . . together.
Jonathan Turley
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These terrible people are facing a savage payback.
pffft, bring it trumpsters, make my day...
it seems as though some of the perks of an imperial presidency don't extend past it's last term...
looks like fulton county may be getting that new jail they've needed for decades...
Consider that this complete moron is selling tee shirts with his mugshot and the caption “never surrender”. A mugshot is the most apt description of a surrender.
No, No it isn't. A mugshot can be the sign of a false arrest too.........
Not in this case. Not by a long shot. His “candyass” could have refused to surrender, but instead he did literally surrender while telling his gullible sycophants that he will never surrender. That is the epitome of gaslighting.
Refused to surrender? So there could be another dog and pony show at Mar A Lago? Yeah that makes sense.........said no one ever.
Oh good, now we agree that he surrendered.
Wouldn't you? This should be good..
Retribution can be a bitch.
I would NEVER be in that situation. Stupid question.
Never say never. There shall be payback.
Lol. I’m going to get payback? For what? Talking honestly about what a pathetic piece of shit Donald Trump is? Bring it, motherfuckers. That loser can’t even be honest about his height and weight, and lists his hair color as “strawberry blond”. Wtf is wrong with you people?
The animals on the left will regret the day they longed for that image.
You can take it to the bank.
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That would mean Ron DeSantis would win the GOP nomination and waltz into the White House. That would begin the process of removing the animals from power.
Are you sure you want that?
Lol. Sure, yeah. That’s going to happen.
I dont think any "shoo in" for the presidency has been as mocked and ridiculed as DeSantis has been recently.
Aside from that he will never be president. His abortion ban sealed his fate on that.
Well, I learned today that he was a navy seal, and by that I mean he was the assistant urinalysis coordinator at Gitmo … so there’s that.
Without Trump it will. It's what the DNC really fears. They only want to run against the guy they are prosecuting & smearing. They learned from Putin.
"Never be President?"
Didn't they tell us that about someone in 2016?
What I find hilarious is that he must have been practicing for weeks, if not months, for what he wanted his mugshot to look like. The best he could come up with is looking like he was throwing a tantrum for being forced to sit at the kiddie table for Thanksgiving.
Has anyone told you that you have a sadistic sense of humor?
he must have been practicing for weeks, if not months, for what he wanted his mugshot to look like
100%. I won’t even mock him for that though. What nobody can resist mocking him over is his choice of words for the caption. Literally the worst choice he could he have come up with. He could have picked anything to pair with his angst ridden mugshot, but he went with the most obvious contradiction.
This is what you lusted for.
What does that tell us?
Did I really? Nope. I just can’t help but laugh hysterically about how he handled it. You couldn’t even make this shit up and be taken seriously.
Obviously, you did.
Everyone can see the real you.
You still seem to support him. That tells us a lot.
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I'm commenting. Is that a problem?
I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable.
Why would I?
Yes, but my wife has nothing to do with this discussion...
Jonathan Turley is a right wing crank. I dont care if he is a law professor. There are plenty of crank law professors, look at John Eastman and Alan Dershowitz.
This is where we get to examine the people who believe in prosecuting political opponents.
Caution is required.
Ask me if I give a fuck what MAGA fanatics think.
Right back at you.
Who cares what the fuck you think?
The Fascist left is on the march. Watch out everyone. If you defy them they will turn the IRS/FBI/DOJ on you. That is if they don't have control of the House to launch a shill investigation.
Great two tier justice system Brandon has. It is the envy of tin horn dictators everywhere.
Says a lot that leftists that used to openly question the system are no openly embracing it- so long as it is going after Republicans/Conservatives that is.
this is where we get to examine the people that don't support the constitution, despite what they claim.
How is the fever swamp? Water warm?
Like Hal said, "for what"?
The only thing I agree with in this article is that Trump should have been indicted for his crimes against this country long ago.
As far as it being unfair that this is being done while he is running for president, that is a hoot. Trump announced his candidacy way earlier than anyone else ever does totally in order to mess with prospective indictments against him, and to play the victim on and on and on.
You don't even know what is wrong about all of this?
You wanted him prosecuted "long ago" for "something."
Take a good look at what you have all become.
You are , at best, spinning your wheels. There is a chair in the corner you can sit down on and watch the world go by.
No John, we are not going to let the left destroy the Republic.
There will be consequences.
Sounds like a conspiracy theory.
“Take a good look at what you have all become.”
If you mean those concerned citizens, despite partisan differences, who understand that some candidates have demonstrably and consistently betrayed our trust, betrayed their oath of office, betrayed the Constitution, and thus having betrayed everything we stand for…then it is not a question of what we have become, but rather a confirmation of what we have always been. Patriots.
Remember the 2020 riots?
That kind of defined the character of the left. I don't see how you can disguise yourselves as "concerned citizens."
We can all see you!
You think anyone still supporting Brandon isn't a traitor?
Tells us all we need to know of your definition of "Patriots".
Maybe Brandon will reward you with another speech threatening to use military force against his political opponents.
“…your definition of "Patriots”…”
”Let us form one body, one heart, and defend to the last warrior our country, our homes, our liberty, and the graves of our fathers.”
~ Tecumseh
He’s been running longer than anyone, and has the least to offer as to why anyone should vote for him. He won’t even participate in debating his opponents because he still doesn’t even understand the concepts of governing, and they will run circles around him while he resorts to slapping juvenile labels on everyone.
Are you ready for the big question?
I bet it begins with “what about”.
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Maybe she will re-instate the Trump twitter feed that we used to enjoy on the front page.
Censorship is another thing you seem to believe in. The left is going after a good many of our Constitutional protections...freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to attorney privileges.
Paranoid nonsense. You have the exact same freedoms now as you have previously.
Censorship is another thing you seem to believe in.
This you?
The ONLY thing you know about me is that I am voicing my opinion on this public forum. Tell me more about this payback.
We do? Why was the Hunter laptop story censored?
"I will pose the question to management as soon as she gets here."
... and management is dying to address it! Just a guess.
It will present a problem for sure.
Yes, we do. I haven't lost any freedoms. I couldn't care less about Hunters laptop or such political shenanigans. If you imagine a loss of your freedoms, that seems to be your issue.
I rest my case.
What case? You made no case. Just nonsensical pangs of paranoia.
Censorship like book banning?
You just made it for me.
I direct all to post: 4.2.11
Yep. Ask J K Rowling
Book banning, what one can say (or teach) in a classroom and self termination if one is not straight. Let's also not forget the loss of the right to privacy between a woman and her doctor. Democrats should be ashamed of themselves... /s
And you still haven't specified what freedoms you lost.
A factual news story that surely would have influenced an election was censored and you said you didn't care.
What is left to say?
So all you have is opinion then. Got it.
What you "got" is a lot of blatant bias that blinds you to what is happening.
As you said:
I couldn't care less about Hunters laptop
A free press lost its freedom.
"Yep. Ask J K Rowling"
What exactly:
"Why was the Hunter laptop story censored?"
Miranda Devine needed extra time when her pen ran out of poison?
ook banning,
Who does that? That's illegal.
Notify the Biden DOJ ASAP and tell them.
So the fact that book banning is being instigated by conservatives, and being fought against by liberals, means nothing to you?
Allow me:
"Those seeking to understand why the average person is too terrified to speak up against transgender activism need only to look to J.K. Rowling. In a promotional trailer for Rowling’s forthcoming film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore , which she co-wrote and co-produced, her name barely appears . This contrasts with how prominently her name was featured in previous advertisements for the franchise.
Rowling has endured a continued campaign of punishment and harassment ever since she (rightfully) ridiculed the term “people who menstruate” last year on social media. Her most recent transgression, according to activists, was criticizing the police in Scotland for classifying offenders based on their gender self-identification. This means that a male rapist who identifies as female will have his offense recorded as being committed by a woman."
J.K. Rowling is being erased for defending women | Washington Examiner
She defended women against transgender activists and they tried to cancel her
She prevailed!
None of that is accurate.
Progressives have tried to ban books containing words that they find offensive. Many of them involve classic American literature, such as the works of Mark Twain
Conservatives have demanded that young children should have age-appropriate textbooks. Pornography and Queer Theory do not qualify.
at one can say (or teach) in a classroom and self termination if one is not straigh
Every state in the nation regulates what can be said or taught in a classroom. Is that news to you? No one has to quit because of their sexuality
Projection!
No one has to quit because of their sexuality
Unless they made the mistake of accepting a job at a parochial school.
No, actually it was your own words that hung you.
Age appropriate by conservatives definition, despite the protests of parents, teachers and librarians.
FFS Vic! Here, let me use your style of writing: no one cares what the Examiner has to say; at least try to respond with sources rated above C-. The very same people seeking to ban Rowling in the early 2,000s are now her saviors? A tad too much hypocrisy methinks.
Why don't you comment on what I actually posted instead of a tangent I didn't express?
Lol...No parents and teachers are not together on this.
For somebody with so much education, one would think you would be writing articles for the Atlantic.
I think you may be wasting your talents here.
NT pays me more than the Atlantic.
Not even a little. I still have all my freedoms. Which of yours have you lost? I've asked you that multiple times now.
Why do you always pretend everything is black and white?
Some teachers, some parents, and some librarians are all for book banning. Generally speaking they are conservative teachers, conservative parents, and conservative librarians.
But there is the entire other range of conservative, liberal, and independent teachers, librarians, and parents, that are opposed to all these bans.
If there are no repercussions for these actions, then why shouldn’t all presidencies end with attempt to be King? Each attempt will refine and build upon the last. All this nonsense about the weaponization of the justice system is the result of Trump’s total lack of integrity; a lifelong conman/grifter given the power to attempt the ultimate theft, our democracy. Conservatives have abandoned and denigrated the justice system because of its actions with respect to one man, Donald J Trump. Patriots protect our democracy.
Trump has a history of doing anything he thinks he can get away with. The scheme used to cheat the gov't when his father died resulted in his sister having to give up being a judge. There is no statute of limitations for judicial misconduct. He's been sued at least twice for failure to rent to minorities. His charity was a grift he used to buy stuff for himself - shut down by the gov't. His university was also a grift, again shut down by the gov't with a $25M fine. He continues to grift money from his cult of morons. Back in the early '80s, Pete Rozelle told him he would never own an NFL team - because he was known to be a 'huckster scumbag'. He has always broken/skirted the law. He was a fool to run for president because that not only caused people to lift the Trump rock, it put him in a position to graduate from relatively low level white collar crimes to the big league.