Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer
Benjamin Franklin updated a Medieval saying: “the rotten apple spoils his companion.” This proverb has been handed down to us as “One bad apple spoils the bunch.” If you eat fruits and vegetables regularly, you know this to be true.
We also know it’s true for people. We want our kids to hang out with other good kids. We worry when we see one or two bad apples in the bunch. Learning to tell the difference between a good apple and a bad apple is essential to adult life.
Why is Donald Trump surrounded by so many bad apples? Does Donald hire criminals? Or does he turn them into criminals?
Just look at the number of Trump’s associates convicted of crimes or submitted guilty pleas:
Steve Bannon, Contempt of Congress
Michael Cohen, Criminal Tax Evasion, Campaign Finance Violations
Michael Flynn, Lying to FBI
Rick Gates, Conspiracy against the United States, Lying to investigators
Paul Manfort, Tax Fraud, Bank Fraud, Money Laundering, Witness Tampering, Lying to Congress
George Nader, Possessing Child Pornography, Pedophilia
George Papadopoulos, Lying to FBI
Roger Stone, Lying under Oath, Obstruction of Justice, Tampering with a Witness
This shouldn’t come as surprise to anyone. Donald bragged about raping married women. He paid hush money to a porn star in order to keep his affair secret. Donald bankrupted several casinos. He tried to extort Ukraine by withholding military assistance.
On his last day to occupy the Oval Office he sat joyfully, watching his mob storm the United States Capital on January 6. We know his supporters carried out this assault on American democracy. Prosecutors have secured 329 Guilty Pleas. Courts have sentenced 185 of these criminals.
These criminals were his supporters. No court has found otherwise. These criminals were in Washington at his request. Donald sat and watched as they hunted for Vice President Pence. These criminals wanted to obstruct the Constitution of the United States of America.
Donald’s aides pleaded with him to call off the assault. They wrote a script for him to read: “I want to be very clear: you do not represent me. You do not represent our movement.”
Donald refused. Donald struck through those words. Why? Because these bad apples DID represent him. He called them there. Donald liked the assault. Will the conservative movement keep these bad apples in there bunch?