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The Wait
Outcomes shadowing processes. Expectations shading discussions.
May 28
America is only weeks away from parsing immunity from criminal acts while assuming the office of the President (“January 6” Case brought by former President Trump) and perhaps days away from parsing what felonies and frauds were committed in New York (People v Trump, Manhattan Criminal Court)
“The most difficult part of my job as a prosecutor wasn’t preparing for trial or even handling appellate arguments. It was “The Wait” — the hours or days between when a jury got the case and when they delivered their verdict. The wait is excruciating in a case where you’re almost certain the jury will convict and even more so in a case that’s a closer call for whatever reason.
That’s where we’ll find ourselves in the week ahead. Waiting for a verdict in the Manhattan case.”
-Joyce Vance, “Civil Discourse, May 27,” Substack
It is not cynical to presume the ‘immunity case’ has already been decided. America will have to grapple with justices’ opinions rationalizing a shift in power — a 6–3 decision granting the President constrained but total immunity for criminal acts committed while in office. 3 of the 6 justices were appointed by the defendant in the January 6 case, former President Donald Trump.
