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Opposition is Good

Trump was ordered this past Friday to pay 83.3 million dollars in damages to E. Jean Carroll, a woman he was found to have sexually assaulted and has been repeatedly insulting in the years since she came forward with his crime. 

Until such time as he actually pays the money and/or expresses contrition there is no immediate cause to celebrate. With all his legal troubles he continues to live a life unimpeded to a great extent by the consequences of his actions, thanks to his daily legal challenges and delays.

The interesting accountability to me this past week during the trial was that of his legal team. I don't want to necessarily single out his lead attorney for ridicule, for which she is justly receiving a good deal. Rather I am struck more by the overall sense of surprise seemingly demonstrated, at least in public, by Trump's supporters, that failing to provide a competent legal defense in lieu of playing for the cameras was counterproductive. It feels to me (and I can't document this, so make your own judgment as always) as if many folk on Team Trump have been living in the echo chamber too long, where friendly interviewers agree and cheer on this kind of idiocy. 

One of the many important reasons to have a free and independent press is to always have someone challenging you to be better. A loyal opposition (which is a different thing) performs the same function, and I have aspired to that role in campus politics over time. People are not at their best when surrounded by yes, yes, you're right, that's so brilliant. Having to justify yourself in a constructive fashion helps people to evolve and communicate more effectively. I think that Team Trump in their avoidance of dissent have done themselves a disservice long-term, apart from their many many (and again I say many) moral failings.

A constructive, respectful challenge is what we all need.

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