We still need to learn more about the search. I’m taking a wait-and-see approach that may last until I get a top-secret clearance and can repair to a SCIF and review the relevant documents myself. That said, it’s become clear that Trump certainly could have been more cooperative and forthcoming in the negotiations with the National Archives, to keep the conflict from even getting to this point.
Indeed, the search is a reminder of the haze of controversy and drama that always surrounds Trump, and the sense of things being constantly out of control. This helped him in 2015–16 as he was a dominant media presence, but it undermined his presidency and, arguably, ultimately led to his defeat in 2020.
This characteristic of Trump should be considered an unavoidable downside, not a positive feature sending people scrambling to his banner.
Ron DeSantis hasn’t been raided by the FBI. Neither has Tom Cotton or Mike Pence or Ted Cruz. Does this speak poorly of them? Should they try harder?
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