the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trump Found Guilty on 34 Counts in Hush-Money Case
New York NY, in a historic verdict, a New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts related to falsifying business records in the hush-money trial against him. This decision marks Trump as the first former US president to be convicted of a crime.
The case revolved around payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign. The prosecution argued that Trump altered records of $130,000 in hush money payments to make them appear legitimate, thereby influencing his electoral chances. Trump has consistently dismissed the trial as politically motivated and is expected to appeal the verdict. The Trump campaign raised over $54 million within 24 hours after the verdict .
Hong Kong Activists Convicted Under National Security Law
On the same day, across the globe, a Hong Kong court found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty of conspiring to subvert the government. This ruling comes after the Chinese territory’s largest trial under the controversial 2020 national security law, drafted by Beijing.
The activists were part of a group known as the “Hong Kong 47,” arrested in 2021 for organizing unofficial primary elections for Hong Kong’s legislature in July 2020. Authorities claimed these elections threatened state power by attempting to secure a legislative majority capable of vetoing budgets, potentially dissolving the legislature and forcing its leader to resign. Hong Kong’s current legislature includes no pro-democracy lawmakers. Of the 47 activists, 31 had previously pleaded guilty, two were acquitted, and those convicted now face up to life in prison.
Since the enactment of China’s national security law in June 2020, following mass anti-government protests in 2019, approximately 300 individuals have been arrested for activities deemed as dissent. The law has significantly curtailed the freedoms in Hong Kong, a region that was granted a degree of autonomy from Communist Party control after being handed back by the UK in 1997.
Global Implications
Both cases highlight significant legal and political shifts. In the US, Trump’s conviction could have profound implications for future political landscapes and the integrity of business practices among high-profile individuals. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the convictions underscore Beijing’s tightening grip on the region, signaling a crackdown on pro-democracy movements and greater control over Hong Kong’s previously semi-autonomous governance structure.
These developments serve as a reminder of the ongoing global struggle between governance, legality, and civil liberties. As both situations continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly influence discussions around justice, democracy, and human rights worldwide.
A little talked about consequence of these cases is will New York City or Hong Kong ever recover their ability to attack business investment which is likely to look elsewhere to more business friendly environments .
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Trump is absolutely right that this is like nailing Al Capone for Tax Evasion. However, we shouldn’t romanticize justice. Al Capone was a bad man that was very good at evading the law, and it’s good that he was stopped.
Not even close.
Al Capone was a criminal and murderer and extremely bad man.
Trump is being politically prosecuted (also persecuted) since he is deemed a political “enemy” of the current administration. This is what they do in Communist regimes and banana republics.
The Trump case is a travesty of justice, and everyone should be concerned about the corruption of the US government and the US Legal system, REGARDLESS of how you personally feel about Trump as a person.
These sound like cable TV arguments. We can do better.
First of all, the idea that this was a “Biden Case” is often repeated, but untrue. This case was brought by New York State. In the US, the federal government has no ability to pursue state level cases. That means the administration is not responsible for bringing or executing this case in any way.
Second, this was a trial by jury. In America we need to trust our fellow citizens to execute justice. Trust me, they paid a lot closer attention to the specifics of this case than you or I did, or any loudmouthed politician or television talking head!
Is it true that this was a “Biden Case”? I see people say this, but its very unlikely and I don’t understand how it would work. Is there any evidence? It doesn’t really make sense, given my experience with the US justice system. The federal government cannot pursue state-level cases. They simply can’t, its part of what makes our government so powerful.
This was a trial by jury. In America we need to trust our fellow citizens to execute justice. Trust me, they paid a lot closer attention to the specifics of this case than you or I did, or any loudmouthed politician or television talking head!
A ‘jury of peers” isn’t exactly what meets that definition in Manhattan or the Bronx. Any person doing business in NYC should take the hint and pack and up leave. If they did this to him, they can do it to you.
“If they did this to him, they can do it to you.”
Gee, I better not commit any felonies, then.
you need a job to worry about the government taking your provisions away
The education system, the media (print, internet, tv and hollywood) and now the judicial system. We are over the cliff. Freedom and democracy are dead. Can’t even be saved at the voting booth
The Jury System is the most precious and important part of our democracy. We’re not “over the cliff”, this is the system working, even if you aren’t comfortable with the outcome.
I don’t want to say “Like or it leave it” because you are entitled to your opinion but, frankly, you are sounding unamerican right now.
Calling someone unamerican because you don’t like the opinion you begrudgingly confess they’re entitled to smacks of unamericanism.
This trial, and the 7.5 of endless media attacks, impeachments, and general indoctrination of the masses, is all the proof I need over electoral cheating at the last election.
That’s not good enough. Not for me. I still need to see the proof. You can’t just say an election, or a trial, is illegitimate when you don’t get your way. Not in my country, not in the country I fought for.
This is what happens when we let politicians and, even worse, TV personalities and celebrities , have too much influence and control over our society.