Betty Ussach-Schwartz: Trump manipulating judicial system

Awaiting the outcomes of a vast array of criminal and civil cases filed in state and federal courts, it becomes apparent that Donald Trump will appeal every conviction, monetary award and motion denied, thereby delaying any accountability and ensuring his Republican presidential nomination and very possibly his reelection.

By postponing trials and clogging the court dockets with motions and appeals, and being provided a microphone for each court appearance, Trump has been enabled to verbalize every grievance, vindictive accusation and anti-democratic sentiment, without fear of imprisonment for contempt or alienating his loyal voters and donors.

With unlimited resources, continuously compounded by the generosity of supporters, and a cadre of opportunistic lawyers he is thumbing his nose at American jurisprudence and keeping himself front and center of almost every news cycle with a concomitant increase in polling.

By manipulating the judicial system just as he has the financial and political realms, Trump may ultimately regain his position as a winner and democracy will be the loser.

Betty Ussach-Schwartz

Southampton