In law, a mitigating circumstance is a factor that tends to lessen the severity of a crime or its punishment by making the defendant’s conduct understandable or less blameworthy. Legal.com defines a mitigating circumstance as “any information or factors presented during a legal proceeding that, while not excusing or justifying a criminal act, may reduce the severity of the offense or the culpability of the defendant.”
One could argue that Trump has been busily creating mitigating circumstances.
Trump threatens to jail adversaries in escalating rhetoric ahead of pivotal debate. That includes “Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials” – they are literally being threatened with harm and ruination.
Trump’s promise of payback for prosecution follows years of attacking democratic traditions. “‘He has shown repeatedly during his presidency that he is perfectly willing to misuse and abuse his office to carry out purely personal activities,’ Wertheimer said.”
Trump supporters try to dox jurors and post violent threats after his conviction. We know damn well that a Trump “Department of Justice” will protect the terrorists and do nothing to protect jurors and witnesses.
Mother-daughter election workers targeted by Trump say there’s ‘nowhere’ they feel safe. A MAGA “Department of Justice” would not only refuse to protect these election workers, but probably prosecute them on Trump’ed-up charges.
Trump-inspired death threats are terrorizing election workers. Again, a MAGA “Department of Justice” would do absolutely nothing to keep election workers safe. They’d laugh all the way to the Klan meeting.
Trump fan targets MAGA foes with menace – and gets away with it. Don’t be surprised if a MAGA “Department of Justice” awards medals to people like these.
A California journalist documents the far-right takeover of her town: ‘We’re a test case’. Expect thousands more of these Nazi takeovers of towns under a MAGA Reich.
EPA Scientists Said They Were Pressured to Downplay Harms From Chemicals. A Watchdog Found They Were Retaliated Against. Under a MAGA Fourth Reich, expect a complete Nazi-style assault on science and scientists. And then there’s this: Why many scientists fear a second Trump term.
Arkansas police chief resigns after appearing to call for violence over election. Under a MAGA Reich, this police chief would surely enjoy total protection and support. “When this over and Trump is president for 4 more years,” one said, “do not forget what these Marxist bastards have tried to do. When you see one in public get in their face do not give them any peace. Throw water on them at restaurants. Push them off sidewalks. Never let them forget they are traitors and have no right to live in this Republic after what they have done.”
Trump’s ‘LIBERATE MICHIGAN!’ tweets incite insurrection. That’s illegal. From the article: Trump tweeted, “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” followed immediately by “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” and then “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!” This follows Wednesday’s demonstration in Michigan, in which armed protestors surrounded the state capitol building in Lansing chanting “Lock her up!” in reference to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and “We will not comply,” in reference to her extension of the state’s coronavirus-related stay-at-home order.
FBI investigating after Trump supporters surround Biden campaign bus in Texas. Does anyone seriously think that a MAGA “DOJ” would spend one second investigating this act of terrorism?
Trump’s threatening post flagged by U.S. prosecutors to judge. Also see: Judge asked to intervene after Trump ‘threatens revenge on witnesses’. Does anything that MAGA kangaroo courts would do anything about this?
Trump blasts his trial judges. Then his fans call for violence. Anyone with a brain knows that a MAGA “DOJ” would never prosecute Trump’s brownshirts. Especially under Project 2025.
Trump is inciting violence. Trump is endangering people’s lives. Trump is threatening revenge and retaliation using the power of the government, even the military.
This election should be no contest. The result should be 95% Harris and 5% split among third party candidates. There is no excuse for one single person to vote for Trump in the face of all this.