Believe them. That’s not an original thought with me, but it is true.

We’re off to a predictably rough start to 2024, the year in which the fate of American democracy will be decided. Donald Trump, true to form, is already laying the foundation for challenging the 2024 election if he loses. Meanwhile, two of his challengers are pandering to his political base in the almost-certainly vain hope that they can wean away enough of his supporters to overcome his nomination lead. Or, maybe, they’re just trying to establish their bona fides as his possible running mate. History shows that the best way to curry favor with Trump is to praise him or offer him something he values. In this case it’s pardons for his many crimes.

Whatever the motivation (could be all the above), these Republican political “leaders” are sending the country a message: we don’t care what crimes Trump committed; he must not be held accountable. Therefore, elect us and we’ll be sure he’s not punished for his crimes.

Thus, we have Ron DeSantis, almost out of the race based on polling, saying he will pardon Trump if he (DeSantis) is elected President. http://tinyurl.com/6ear4hyt And the putative second place aspirant, Nikki Haley, reputedly gaining some traction against Trump but still very far behind. http://tinyurl.com/4d5z3e45

Bottom line: the two leading aspirants to replace Trump at the head of the “law and order” party have announced that they will protect Trump from responsibility for any federal crimes he has committed, which include conspiracy to overthrow the 2020 election and purloining and refusing to return highly confidential intelligence documents involving, among other things, military planning information.

Enough said.