In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial… (from the 6rh Amendment of the U.S. Constitution)

Pretty simple isn’t it?  Not that it usually works out that way but I’ll get to that.  First we have to note that like so much of our Constitution including rights in the Bill of Rights things have to be spelled out in laws, so there’s a set of rules that everyone has to live by.  And of course SCOTUS winds up being asked to uphold.  Well, all that’s been done.  So what exactly under federal law does “speedy trial” mean in the federal system?  Let’s take a look at –   18 U.S. Code § 3161 – Time limits and exclusions :

Section (c), paragraph 1 spells it out in language any layman can understand:

In any case in which a plea of not guilty is entered, the trial of a defendant charged in an information or indictment with the commission of an offense shall commence within seventy days from the filing date (and making public) of the information or indictment, or from the date the defendant has appeared before a judicial officer of the court in which such charge is pending, whichever date last occurs. If a defendant consents in writing to be tried before a magistrate judge on a complaint, In any case in which a plea of not guilty is entered, the trial of a defendant charged in an information or indictment with the commission of an offense shall commence within seventy days from the filing date (and making public) of the information or indictment, or from the date the defendant has appeared before a judicial officer of the court in which such charge is pending, whichever date last occurs. If a defendant consents in writing to be tried before a magistrate judge on a complaint, the trial shall commence within seventy days from the date of such consent. (emphasis added)

Now, if you read the whole thing there are several ways in which someone pleading not guilty can be tried but all still note a trial within 70 days.  Basically, the law says as a judge in the novel Presumed Innocent “If you come into my court charging a man with a crime you’d better be ready to go.  Right now.  Today.”  As we know, and famously so when it comes to Trump delay is his natural reaction to any legal proceeding against him.  A criminal trial would make him even more determined to delay things using every tactic available.  If, as in the novel I cited prosecutors groaned at the arraignment when that particular judge’s name was drawn (in open court) from the bin that had judges names on wood thingies because he was a notorious “defendant’s judge” Trump and his lawyers had to be splooging their pants when they first learned (prior to the arraignment) that judge Cannon had been “randomly” (I will never, EVER believe that one!) had been assigned to hear the case.

Anyway the point is that while a defendant has the right to a speedy trial, and in the federal system that means 70 days they can formally waive that right.  Most do.  We know every instinct in Trump’s corpulent (that means fat for you MAGA goobers reading this) body will be to have his lawyers file the motion waiving his right to a speedy trial.  He’s got his dream judge and she will do everything in her power to delay this case until, in his wet-dreams at least he’s President again and can shut the whole thing down.  And elevate her to SCOTUS at the first opportunity.  She’s a fool if she thinks he’ll keep that particular promise but that’s another subject for another time.

Right now, as he has all along as this case had progressed and at a fever pitch once it became clear an indictment was in fact coming among other things Trump loudly proclaims his innocence.  That he did NOTHING wrong.  That he had EVERY right to take and keep anything he wanted when he left the WH.  Oh, he’s made up other excuses but for this discussion let’s stick to the two things I’ve cited.  Trump is screaming it from the rooftops and so are his enablers in Congress.  Hell, even his primary opponents are mostly afraid to buck the literal Party line.

Trump didn’t do ANYTHING wrong, much less illegal!  WITCH HUNT!  And so on.

So for me that begs a very simple question:  If you didn’t do anything wrong then why not take advantage of your right to a speedy trial and be exonerated by the end of summer, or in early September at the latest?  If he didn’t break any laws then he’s got nothing to fear!  Of course he knows he’s guilty as sin.  He didn’t need lawyers to tell him as he was packing to leave the WH stealing what he did was not only wrong but a series of felonies.  Same with refusing to return them which created still more felonies.  Same with sharing some of that highly classified National Security information with others who like him had no right to see it, and it seems in some cases NEVER had a right to see it.                                :

However the I didn’t do anything wrong and didn’t break any laws seems to be the hill he’s going to fight (and lose) this battle on.

That my friends is why EVERY day, multiple times per day and from multiple people (not just Democrats but pundits and journalists) the question needs to be bluntly asked both directly at/to Trump and in discussions of the case.

If no laws were broken why are you MISTER Trump afraid to exercise your RIGHT to a speedy trial.  Starting no more than 70 days from the time you were formally charged and pled Not Guilty?

Taunt him.  Do it up good too.  Play chicken sounds on the smartphone while asking the “why be afraid of a speedy trial?” question.  Have visual aids   Memes of “Chicken Trump.”  Democratic donors can fund protests of people wearing chicken suits to shout through bullhorns wherever Trump is, and fly those planes that trail banners past his location, making sure a TV crew is there to record it.  And of course regular folks present can record on their cell phones to flood social media!  Ask Trump.  Ask his defenders.  Both in person whenever possible and even in those floor speeches Senators and House members give in the well of their chambers when no one is there but C-Span is broadcasting it, from that fixed position that doesn’t reveal to the public it’s a mostly empty chamber.  On new shows.  Ask journalists why THEY aren’t asking this simple question all day long every day, both in general and to Trump fluffers they interview.

Goad Trump.  TAUNT him.  Relentlessly!  Make fun of Fox and other RWNJ for being afraid to ask the question, especially to Trump himself.  And come ON Chris Christie!  You know you don’t have a snowballs chance in hell of getting the nomination and never did.  You got into the race specifically to challenge Trump.  To  Take  Him  Out!  This dude is unlike Trump’s toilet really gold.  Remind folks of your experience as a federal prosecutor up there in NYC when YOU taunt Trump with the “What are you afraid of?” question.

Well folks, what do you think?  If you agree with me we need to be hitting social media, including and especially journalist’s twitter and Facebook feeds to pressure THEM to take up the cause.

If Trump as he says did nothing wrong, has nothing to fear and is innocent he should be DEMANDING a speedy trial.  Telling prosecutors “Prove it.  Now.  I have that right!

Of course he has two reasons to not avail himself of this particular right.  He’s a f**king bully who’s at heart a COWARD, and he’s GUILTY!

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