Seize Trump’s passport: No greater flight risk than an unmasked con fleeing “every crime imaginable” (2024)

What other gangster has more high-style, extradition-resistant bedrooms to keep him in junk food?

Here’s the simplest, low risk way to keep Trump under wraps, without stepping on touchy prosecutorial toes. And it won’t incite hooligan street havoc, as indictments promise. Plus, how long it takes for indictments to surface matters not at all. Nor must we rush trials, verdicts or sentencing.

Passports perPassportInfocan “be seized by the issuing government while the bearer is at home, to prevent flight out of the country while the bearer isunder investigation for a crimeor awaiting trial” [my boldface]. “Under investigation” defines Trump’s remaining time on earth, whether by federal, state, media or civil scrutiny. Either you arrogantly pull off the coup or you endure being the most investigated politician in our history, bar none, whatever the verdicts.

Further, let’s neverunderestimatehow slipperyare themost litigious,guilt-rivenbillionaires,many enriched byslithering out ofsnares, leaving justiceagape.Forgetstrong-armingMerrick Garland (who deserves it) or pressuringJoeBidentofind a moreattentive,courageousAttorney General (warranted –how aboutAdam Schiffor Laurence Tribe?).In fact,we don’t own our passports,the federal governmentdoes, and itcandemand forfeiturebefore criminal accusation or conviction.We’re talkingnotJustice nor the WH but simply theUS State Department,withconfiscationdoneby federal, state or local police.

Equally true is that thelast gaspby the dimmest of malignant narcissists senses whenthe party’s over,thecon iskaput,and the posseunpacksthe rope.Among others, theDaily Beast’sDavid Rothkopfcapturesthe belated moment,“Put a Fork in Donald Trump—the Ex-President Is Done – LONG OVERDUE,”andthat any splashycampaigndeclaration“is just another sign of his collapse.”So,reams ofdamning evidence pile up, criminal liability expands faster than the universe, and ex-enablers are unravelingthe Trump Derangement Syndrome.Bye, bye, front-running standing.Why, he’s getting so nationallyunelectable, evendismal Hilarymay reconsider a 2024 run.

Desperation reeks

That being the case, as Trump’s status (and freedom)evaporatequicker than the non-existent ballots he failed to coerce, thensurvivaland escape rear their ugly heads. His desperation oozes forth: insane attachment to the Big Lie, claims of total innocence, and trifling lies about credible accusers,, thus making all future indictments (including those not even conceived) by default phony. Alas, the involuntary exile of notorious cult leaders is never pretty – and the imperishable stench will outlast Trump’s used up, seditious life.

While perhaps the last to know, the unmasked, deranged hustler eventually sees the walls closing in, accelerated by vapor-thin coverups. Trump’s only chance was to pull off his coup, gain WH immunity, then deflect prosecutions until memories fade. No such luck when rapid wrongdoing spans real election fraud, sedition, inciting a riot (spurring the arming of rioters), coercing officials to commit crimes, and then, as a finale, wave his laughable “election fraud” flag to victimize donors with scam fundraising. Afflicted with the plotting skills and temper of a five year old, Trump remains the chutzpah champion of the western world.

Like other celebrated escapees, Trump would top the gang of cowardly bottom-feeders convinced no American court has the right to judge his sweeping perfection. Trump will impugn (with the same terms) legitimate trials as he did fair elections: losing only reinforces it’s all about dirty tricks by haters, committed to humiliate him and the family name. Yet, were enough connivance to again corrupt the process, then the putz from Palookaville walks away, dripping with praise how glorious is American justice.

Cut him off at the pass

The best way to resurrect our glacially-slowed justice system, plus keep Trump from wandering the globe, is to confiscate his passport. Keep him within grasp so that relevant prosecutions may help make America great again (well, slightly less tarnished). That doesn’t impede a lawless billionaire from self-exile, but that implicitly confirms guilt, even desperation. Imagine the Three Stooges disguise – long trench coat, huge hat, fake beard, dyed hair – as Trump in the wee hours leaps on a speedboat or yacht to Neverland. If he hadn’t been so mean to Cuba, or impugned other “sh-t countries,” he’d have more prospects. Now he’d be buffeted by rough seas and fearsome hurricanes he never quite understood.

Running away has its downsides. Imagine the ghoulish media coverage, akin to OJ Simpson speeding to nowhere. Such publicity cements Trump as the ultimate pariah fugitive – a virtual conviction before a real one. Destinations? Russia, maybe Turkey, North Korea (!), a rightwing stronghold in South America? Saudi Arabia loves autocratic billionaires oblivious to its medieval assassinations. Trump hotels will open their high style suites, but some places, like Scotland, could well detain him, even extradite.

Had he not berated Gov. DeSantis, maybe Florida would have granted a special dispensation, declaring him the deposed, thus still immune president. Would even this reactionary Supreme Court buy that lunacy? Better still, Trump sells Mar-a-Lago to Putin, who declares it a diplomatic Russian consulate, thus free from federal entanglement. So many options, so few that would wash – all that would define Trump as the iconic criminal-on-deck.

More downsides with flight: that puts U.S. assets and Trump’s life mission in jeopardy: dishonestly bilking rubes. Loans will be called, and his credit would be as non-existent as those made-up 2020 ballots. A billionaire might funnel crypto currencies, but not without liability for aiding and abetting a fugitive. Many overseas leaders already thinkTrump no more than a disruptive, farcical blowhard who should have been jailed years ago.

Fugitives don’t live free

The other problem is cash flowas the worst fearplaguingthose who equate money with virtueisgoing broke. Poverty for an ex-billionaire wouldhumiliate him on par with gettingfrog-marched off his golf course,both onlyslightly less painfulthan a longsentence in a third-rate prison.Fugitives, by definition, must live on less and less, contradicting the first Trump Commandment: demand more and moreuntil you have everything.

Wanting everythingis hisreligious quest, andonly braggadocio about his suspect billions can offset evidenceofmeagre intelligence,even stupidity, with adreadful educationexcept inhustling andfighting offconvictions. Nobookreader(maybe cartoons), he’dshuncableTVwhere endlessshowsdemonstratewhat afailed, dimwitcrookhe’s been all along. After all,Trump’slife missionwas/istesting whetherhe’s still the gold medal conartistwhoescapes“charges ofeverycrimeimaginable,”inWhite House lawyer Pat Cipollone’sapt parlance.

Thus for the nation’s stability, for the integrity of our justice system, and even Trump’s own (short-term) good, seizing his passport resolves all problems. Fortunately, or not, Trump hasn’t gotten smarter or more courageous than his lying, draft-dodging youth. Who knows what new, untested, and unimaginable crimes he can concoct in his remaining free time.

Desperation can be hellish, whether you’re a suspect, or indicted, or swamped by trials in multiple states – even before punishments roll in. Being unmasked and under the gun is the worst nightmare for any interminable con man, even worse when in the eye of the worst scandalous hurricane in our history.More’s the pity.