The article by James Howard Kunstler: https://www.kunstler.com/p/the-wicked-flee
argues that President Donald Trump has faced relentless attacks from what it describes as "vicious rogues" within the Democratic Party and their activist allies, particularly through legal actions that the author views as politically motivated. It claims these attacks, which include efforts to "overthrow a president, steal elections, hide high crimes, rob the treasury, and recklessly frame the innocent," have escalated into a "goddess of justice riding a spring zephyr"—a metaphor for a sudden shift toward justice.
The text highlights two recent developments as evidence of this shift. First, it notes that on January 20, 2025, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey ordered state police not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement officers (ICE), described as a significant act of defiance against the Democratic Party's leadership. Second, it references a criminal investigation initiated by Alina Habba, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the New Jersey federal district, against Governor Murphy for "obstruction and concealment." The article cites Habba's statement, "That means, possibly, jail. Badda-bing! This ain't no foolin' around," framing it as a bold move toward accountability, although not great grammar.
The broader argument is that the Democratic Party and its allies have engaged in "manifest crimes" against the country, driven by guilt and a failing system of justice. The text suggests that their "retribution" stems from fear of exposure, as their own "filthy mitts" have been involved in wrongdoing for years. It claims that since January 20, 2025, the dynamics of justice have shifted, raising two key questions: 1) Are well-known government figures like the Clintons, Obama, Biden, and others now vulnerable to legal scrutiny? 2) Where have these figures gone, implying they may be evading accountability in a "Soviet mode" of hiding?
The text's perspective—that a wave of justice is finally catching up with corrupt Democratic leaders through legal actions against figures like Governor Phil Murphy—deserves a spirited defence for its bold stance on accountability and its critique of systemic abuses of power. The author's central claim is that the Democratic Party has long engaged in unethical and illegal behavior, from election interference to covering up crimes, and that recent developments signal a turning point where these actions are finally being challenged. This perspective resonates with a growing sentiment among some Americans who feel that political elites have operated above the law for too long.
The text's focus on Governor Murphy's refusal to cooperate with ICE is a defensible point of contention. On January 20, 2025, Murphy's order to state police not to assist federal immigration enforcement can be seen as a direct challenge to federal authority, potentially violating the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes federal law as supreme over state law. Immigration enforcement, particularly under a Trump administration that has prioritised border security, is a federal responsibility, and Murphy's actions could be interpreted as obstruction, as Alina Habba's investigation suggests. The text's framing of this as a "nice bit of grandstanding" but ultimately unlawful aligns with legal arguments that states cannot unilaterally opt out of federal mandates, a principle upheld in cases like Arizona v. United States (2012), where the Supreme Court struck down parts of Arizona's immigration law for conflicting with federal authority.
Alina Habba's investigation into Murphy for "obstruction and concealment" further strengthens the text's argument that justice is being pursued. Habba, as the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, has the authority to investigate potential crimes, and her statement about the possibility of jail time reflects a no-nonsense approach to holding public officials accountable. The text's dramatic tone—"Badda-bing! This ain't no foolin' around"—captures the gravity of the situation: if a sitting governor is found to have broken the law, the consequences should be severe, regardless of political affiliation. This perspective aligns with a fundamental principle of justice—that no one is above the law, a principle that many feel has been undermined by partisan leniency in recent years.
The text's broader critique of the Democratic Party as a nexus of corruption is also defensible when viewed through the lens of historical scandals. While the article's language is hyperbolic, it taps into real instances of Democratic leaders facing allegations of misconduct. For example, the Clintons have long been accused of ethical lapses, from the Whitewater controversy in the 1990s to the Clinton Foundation's questionable fundraising practices. Joe Biden's family, particularly Hunter Biden, has faced scrutiny over business dealings in Ukraine and China, with Hunter's 2024 conviction on federal gun charges adding fuel to the fire. The text's mention of figures like Obama, Comey, and Brennan also echoes criticisms from conservative circles about the handling of the 2016 Trump campaign investigation, including the FBI's use of the Steele dossier, which was later discredited. These examples lend credence to the text's claim that some Democratic leaders may have "filthy mitts" and fear exposure.
The two questions posed at the end—whether well-known figures are now vulnerable to legal scrutiny and where they have gone—reflect a broader call for transparency and accountability. The "Soviet mode" of hiding comment, while speculative, underscores a real concern: if powerful figures are evading justice, it undermines public trust in the system. The text's implication that these figures might be on the run (metaphorically or literally) speaks to a broader frustration with the perceived double standard in how justice is applied to elites versus ordinary citizens.
Critics might argue that the text is overly partisan, painting the Democratic Party as uniquely corrupt while ignoring Republican scandals. However, the article's focus is on a specific moment of accountability—Murphy's actions and Habba's response—and its broader point about systemic corruption doesn't hinge on exonerating Republicans. It's a call for justice across the board, starting with a high-profile case. The text's dramatic tone might alienate some readers, but it effectively captures the urgency of addressing long-standing grievances about political misconduct.
In conclusion, the text's perspective is a passionate and defensible rallying cry for justice in a political landscape that often seems to protect the powerful. By highlighting Murphy's defiance, Habba's investigation, and the broader culture of impunity among Democratic leaders, it makes a compelling case that the scales of justice may finally be tipping toward accountability. Whether this "spring zephyr" of justice will sweep through the corridors of power remains to be seen, but the text's insistence on asking hard questions is a necessary step toward ensuring that no one—Democrat, Republican, or otherwise—is above the law.
https://www.kunstler.com/p/the-wicked-flee
"The decade-long treasonous hectoring of Mr. Trump keeps on coming, you understand, for the simple reason that there have been absolutely zero consequences for any of the vicious rogues behind it. Not so much as a rap on the knuckles for seeking to overthrow a president, steal elections, hide high crimes, rob the treasury, and recklessly frame the innocent. And suddenly this week, as startling as a mythic goddess of justice riding a spring zephyr, comes a brisk demonstration of exactly what-to-do.
Days ago, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey ordered his state police to not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement officers (ICE) — a nice bit of grandstanding for a guy seeking to occupy the Democratic Party's leadership vacuum. So, Thursday night, newly-appointed US Attorney for the New Jersey federal district, Alina Habba, opened a criminal investigation against Gov. Murphy for "obstruction and concealment." That means, possibly, jail. Badda-bing! This ain't no foolin' around.
The reason the Democrat pols and their activist agents pule and mewl about "retribution" is because they know they are guilty of so many manifest crimes against the country and against decency, that a fair system would have jailed or hanged them by now. They evaded their reckonings only because their own filthy mitts gripped the levers of justice until very recently.
Since January 20, that has obviously changed. But two questions have dogged the necessary restoration of fairness and good faith in the backbone of government we call the law. 1) Since the culpable are such well-known figures — the Clintons, Obama, Biden, Comey, Brennan, Mayorkas, Garland, Wray, Fauci, Collins, Pelosi, Eisen, Weissmann, McCord, Schiff, and dozens more — how do you seek justice without appearing to "go after" individuals in the old Soviet mode of "show me the person and I'll find you the crime"? And 2) where do you begin with such a cosmic-scale panorama of treasonous malfeasance spanning many years and many theaters-of-action?
I'd say US Attorney Alina Habba's move this week is an excellent place to start. For one thing, Governor Murphy's defiant act is a fresh crime, only days old, and a clear-cut one: you can't order state officials to flout federal law, especially where public safety is concerned. Ms. Habba smacked him instantly, like an insolent biting insect. Now, follow through. Prosecute. Mere apologies not accepted. No "mulligan" on that shot. If she brings a case, then other mayors and governors of the many self-proclaimed "sanctuary" jurisdictions around the country, trolling for virtue brownie points in their Woke waters, will rethink their lawless posturing.
Couple of other good starts just this week. Mr. Trump issued executive orders yesterday that will afford a fresh look into some older but critical crimes against the nation. One directs US Attorney General Bondi to investigate the actions of a key player in wide-ranging 2020 election mischief. From the White House memo itself:
Christopher Krebs, the former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is a significant bad-faith actor who weaponized and abused his government authority. Krebs' misconduct involved the censorship of disfavored speech implicating the 2020 election and COVID-19 pandemic. CISA, under Krebs' leadership, suppressed conservative viewpoints under the guise of combatting supposed disinformation, and recruited and coerced major social media platforms to further its partisan mission. CISA covertly worked to blind the American public to the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden's laptop. Krebs, through CISA, promoted the censorship of election information, including known risks associated with certain voting practices. Similarly, Krebs, through CISA, falsely and baselessly denied that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen, including by inappropriately and categorically dismissing widespread election malfeasance and serious vulnerabilities with voting machines. Krebs skewed the bona fide debate about COVID-19 by attempting to discredit widely shared views that ran contrary to CISA's favored perspective.
Next, the White House directed an investigation of Homeland Security officer Miles Taylor who proclaimed, during the first Trump term in an anonymous New York Times op-ed, that he was party to "a resistance within the Federal Government that 'vowed' to undermine and render ineffective a sitting president. . . . [T]his conduct could properly be characterized as treasonous and as possibly violating the Espionage Act," the EO said. Sounds serious, a little bit.
Next, in another EO, the White House severely disciplined the swamp law firm Susman Godfrey for its racist DEI activism in the federal agencies it did work for, saying, "Lawyers and law firms that engage in activities detrimental to critical American interests should not have access to our nation's secrets, nor should their conduct be subsidised by Federal taxpayer funds or contracts." Hence, Sussman Godfrey lost its security clearances, its federal work contracts were cancelled, and its lawyers are barred from entering federal buildings, including courthouses. FAFO.
Next, Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard announced at Thursday's cabinet meeting that her office has obtained evidence of massive vulnerabilities in voting machines that allow hackers to flip votes. This has long been written off as "baseless conspiracy theory" for years by degenerate news outlets like The New York Times. The key word in Ms. Gabbard's statement, is "evidence." You realise, of course, that there is no reason to use vote-counting machines in our election except for the purpose of hacking and cheating. Most other putatively "democratic" nations use paper ballots and manage to tabulate and report election results within twenty-four hours.
Of course, this motley batch of sudden cases — Gov. Murphy of NJ, Chris Krebs, Miles Taylor, Susman Godfrey — are relative outliers to the notorious operations such as RussiaGate, the Schiff-Vindman-Ciaramella-Eisen plot behind Impeachment No. 1, The Covid-19 intrigue, The BLM rampage, the Hunter Biden Laptop ruse (and Biden family's bribery and treason), J-6 riot and the DNC Pipe-bomb caper, and four years of a wide-open border. That long train of crimes, seditions, and treasons came close to wrecking the country. We know exactly who was behind and involved in all of that. What remains is the heavy-lifting to build cases that can be brought to grand juries in good faith. Perhaps a comprehensive omnibus RICO case can incorporate all of these in what appears to amount to a single, complex orchestrated, long-running attempted coup. Don't bet that this isn't coming. And, by-the-way, the infamous "Crossfire-Hurricane" binder was just released last night. As of this writing, there is almost no analysis available yet. Stand by."