#SistersInLaw Episode 201: Stop Sane Washing Trump – September 14, 2024

Hosted by Politicon, #SistersInLaw brings together a team of political and legal experts to dissect the inner workings of government, tackle corruption, and provide insights on current events. In Episode 201, titled "Stop Sane Washing Trump," hosts Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Barb McQuaid, and Kimberly Atkins Stohr delve deep into the ramifications of recent political events, focusing on the presidential debate, disinformation tactics, significant legal indictments, and transformative policy proposals.

1. Analyzing the Presidential Debate: Trump vs. Harris

The episode opens with a comprehensive analysis of the recent presidential debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The hosts unanimously commend Harris for her stellar performance, highlighting her ability to uphold professionalism while effectively challenging Trump.

• Host Kimberly Atkins Stohr shares her admiration:
  “She completely soared. She had to introduce herself, talk policy, connect with Americans who don’t know much about her, and prod Trump to show his true self. I think she really did an outstanding job of all of those things.”
  [09:06]

• Barb McQuaid echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Harris's composure and strategic maneuvering:
  “Kamala Harris fearlessly approached him and owned that moment. She’s small but mighty.”
  [14:23]

The discussion also sheds light on Trump's tactics during the debate, particularly his spread of disinformation. The hosts critique his baseless claims and deliberate attempts to dehumanize minorities, which they argue are classic authoritarian scare tactics.

• Barb McQuaid addresses the disinformation:
  “He uses these tactics because he wants to portray immigrants as other, scary, barbaric. It’s a scare tactic, and that’s why he leaned into it.”
  [15:15]

The impact of the debate on voters is another focal point. The hosts speculate on whether Harris’s performance swayed undecided voters and discuss the strategic moves made by her campaign post-debate to target swing states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida.

• Kimberly Atkins Stohr posits:
  “I hope for people in the margins, young disaffected voters, or conservatives who care about the U.S. standing in the world, to see Harris as someone who can lead and keep the country from chaos.”
  [30:37]

2. Tackling Disinformation and Its Consequences

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting the disinformation spread during the debate, especially Trump’s unfounded accusations against Harris.

• Jill Wine-Banks emphasizes the need to stop "sane washing," a term she introduces to describe the media's and public's tendency to reinterpret Trump's blatantly false statements as having hidden meanings:
  “The whole point is Trump gets away with lying. He gets away with disinformation because we let him. We need to call him out every time.”
  [19:14]

Listeners contribute to the conversation by highlighting specific falsehoods, such as the baseless claim that Harris’s earrings were listening devices. The hosts collectively condemn these attacks, stressing their harmful impact on marginalized communities.

• Barb McQuaid states:
  “Donald Trump has never had nuance. He says exactly what he means using the fewest words possible. No sane washing.”
  [18:45]

3. Indictment of the Terror Gram Collective: Understanding Accelerationism

The hosts shift focus to a pressing legal matter: the federal indictment of two American men charged with promoting the white supremacist terrorist network, Terror Gram Collective. This case underscores the Threat of accelerationism—a radical ideology aiming to expedite societal collapse through violence.

• Jill Wine-Banks explains:
  “Accelerationism is centered on the belief that the white race is superior and that violence and terrorism are necessary to ignite a race war and accelerate the collapse of government.”
  [36:50]

The indictment is highlighted as a critical move by the Department of Justice (DOJ), combining efforts from the National Security Division and the Civil Rights Division to address both terrorism and hate crimes simultaneously.

• Barb McQuaid adds:
  “Hate crimes are the original terrorism. They are designed to provoke terror and fear in particular communities.”
  [60:26]

4. Merrick Garland’s DOJ Speech: Defending Integrity Amid Criticism

Merrick Garland, the Attorney General, delivered a pivotal speech aiming to reinforce the DOJ’s integrity and independence, especially amidst criticisms of inaction regarding former President Trump.

• Jill Wine-Banks perceives Garland’s address as a prelude to his potential departure:
  “This is a prelude to his departure. Maybe he'll only be a one-term Attorney General.”
  [47:06]

• Kimberly Atkins Stohr praises Garland’s defense of DOJ’s mission:
  “He was defending his department and giving Americans a civics lesson in what the DOJ is supposed to do.”
  [48:14]

The conversation touches upon Garland’s challenges in prosecuting high-profile cases and the delicate balance between upholding justice and navigating political pressures.

5. Project 2025: Eroding Labor Protections and DEI Initiatives

Project 2025 emerges as a contentious topic, with the hosts exploring its implications on the Department of Labor and workplace equity initiatives. The proposal threatens to dismantle long-standing protections and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

• Kimberly Atkins Stohr voices concerns over traditional family focus and the potential rollback of benefits like childcare and family leave:
  “We won’t protect childcare. We won’t prioritize family leave, which is crucial for our families and economy.”
  [56:38]

• Jill Wine-Banks discusses the dismantling of DEI programs:
  “Project 2025 would gut all DEI programs, prohibiting the collection of demographic data and hindering workplace equality.”
  [58:55]

• Barb McQuaid highlights the undermining of Supreme Court decisions that protect sexual orientation and transgender rights:
  “Project 2025 would change the law to allow firing based on sexual orientation or transgender status.”
  [60:26]

The hosts express deep concern over the erosion of workplace protections and the exacerbation of systemic inequities, emphasizing the broader societal impact.

6. Audience Engagement: Legal Principles and Defamation

The episode features an interactive segment where the hosts address audience-submitted questions, providing legal insights and clarifications.

• Question on Proportionality in Sentencing
  A listener asks about the principle of proportional justice and its application in law.
  Barb McQuaid responds:
  “Supreme Court has held that sentences must not be grossly disproportionate to the crime, deferring to legislatures unless punishment is excessively harsh.”
  [64:04]

• Question on Defamation of Communities
  Another listener inquires whether one can defame an entire community.
  Jill Wine-Banks explains:
  “Yes, at least in certain states like Illinois, you can defame a community by proving harm to that community.”
  [67:46]

These interactions underscore the podcast’s commitment to demystifying complex legal concepts for its audience.

7. Conclusion and Upcoming Live Show

As the episode wraps up, the hosts remind listeners of their upcoming live show scheduled for September 20th at the 2nd Street Y in New York City. They encourage audience participation and engagement through social media, emphasizing the importance of community in their discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• “The whole point is Trump gets away with lying. He gets away with disinformation because we let him. We need to call him out every time.” – Jill Wine-Banks [19:14]

• “Accelerationism is centered on the belief that the white race is superior and that violence and terrorism are necessary to ignite a race war and accelerate the collapse of government.” – Jill Wine-Banks [36:50]

• “Project 2025 would gut all DEI programs, prohibiting the collection of demographic data and hindering workplace equality.” – Jill Wine-Banks [58:55]

• “We won't protect childcare. We won't prioritize family leave, which is crucial for our families and economy.” – Kimberly Atkins Stohr [56:38]

Conclusion:

Episode 201 of #SistersInLaw offers a profound exploration of the current political landscape, dissecting the nuances of presidential debates, the dangers of disinformation, significant legal challenges to white supremacist groups, and the ominous implications of Project 2025 on labor protections and workplace equity. Through expert analysis and engaging discussions, Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Barb McQuaid, and Kimberly Atkins Stohr provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these critical issues, empowering them to navigate the complexities of governance, law, and societal change.

For those interested in further discussions and live interactions, don't miss the upcoming live show on September 20th at the 2nd Street Y in New York City. Secure your tickets at Politicon.com/tour.

Follow #SistersInLaw on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform, and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SistersInLaw.