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Hard, but I'll tell you a little secret. It doesn't have to be. Let me point something out. You're listening to a podcast right now and it's great. You love the host. You seek it out and download it. You listen to it while driving, working out, cooking, even going to the bathroom. Podcasts are a pretty close companion. And this is a podcast ad. Did I get your attention? You can reach great listeners like yourself with podcast advertising from Libsyn Ads. Choose from hundreds of top podcasts offering host endorsements or run a pre produced ad like this one across thousands of shows. To reach your target audience in their favorite podcasts with Libsyn Ads, go to Libsyn ads.com that's L I B S Y N ads.com today.
Political Commentator
The fact that Donald Trump as a convicted felon was elected is actually not unique to the Republican Party in this election cycle. There have been other felons who have been found criminally responsible for serious crimes. People who have pled guilty who have been elected in other states as well. For example, in Monroe County, a commissioner who was elected there pled guilty to serious felony drug charges. In Indiana, a Republican who won a county seat has pled guilty to sexually assaulting his own daughter, a guy by the name of John Jessup. And in Missouri, they are introducing a law, the Republicans are it's called the Trump Law to allow felons to run for office in the state of Missouri. So the fact that Trump as a convicted felon was elected, that's now par for the course for MAGA Republicans. And they are normalizing it and encouraging it in their laws as well. The same way they are passing these abortion laws to take away women's right to choose. They're also passing pro felon laws to allow individuals who say sexually assault their own daughters to run for office. And when I'm not making this stuff up, folks. Let's go to what? Let's go to Indiana. First, take a look at this article from the Guardian Republican who won county seat pleads guilty to sexually assaulting his own daughter John Jessup to resign as commissioner in Hancock, Indiana and faces prison after guilty plea over incident in Las Vegas. And while this was all known to the Republican voters, they voted for this guy anyway who pled guilty to sexually assaulting his own daughter in Las Vegas. I'm going to show you what went down in Monroe, Michigan as well in just a moment, but let's take a look at this story first. Days after winning elected office, a Republican politician and Indiana pled guilty to trying to sexually assault his own daughter in Las Vegas and now must resign his position. John Jessup, the commissioner of Hancock, Indiana, was charged in Nevada in June in connection with a sexual assault that occurred in January, reported the local Greenfield Daily Reporters newspaper and klas. But he remained in office as county commissioner. He ran as a Republican for the seat on the Hancock Council after people knew the allegations against him, a distinct elected body, and he emerged as one of the victors after collecting about 15,000 votes. Records show that Jessup, 49, pled guilty in Nevada court on Nov. 13 to attempted sexual assault, which is a kind of felony that can carry multiple years in prison, according to state law. Indiana prohibits convicted felons from serving in state or local elected offices, though a decisive majority of its voters on November 5 helped vault Donald Trump to a second US presidency just months after Trump was convicted of felonies. Therefore, Jessup must resign, unlike Trump, who has also faced multimillion dollar civil penalties for a rape allegation that a judge determined to be substantially true. That's why now in these Republican states, like in Missouri, they are enacting laws to allow people like Jessup to run for office, even if they are felons, say convicted of sexually assaulting their own daughters. It goes on to say Jessup on Monday told the Guardian that he must fill out certain paperwork before he can step down. The County Council chair had mailed him those papers, but they had not immediately arrived, said Jessup, who is awaiting a sentencing hearing tentatively scheduled for April. According to what Jessup told the Daily Reporter, he was prepared for prosecutors to argue that he deserves between 8 and 20 years in prison. Jessup reportedly said his attorneys were going to seek a sentence of probation. Quote, it's been my greatest honor serving the people of Hancock county, and I'm deeply ashamed and profoundly sorry for the shame I brought to the county, jessup told the Daily Reporter. An affidavit obtained and reported on by the outlet said Jessup's criminal charges came after he flew to Las Vegas with the woman in January. The affidavit did not identify the woman, but in an article on Tuesday, the Daily Reporter wrote that Jessup was charged with assaulting his youngest daughter, Rachel, on a trip to Las Vegas intended to celebrate her 21st birthday. I never dreamed it would have ended up the way it did, rachel, jessup reportedly told the outlet. Multiple witnesses allegedly told authorities that John Jessup got Rachel, his daughter, intoxicated, allegedly, as Jessup repeatedly said the slogan, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. She became so intoxicated she needed a wheelchair to get back to her hotel room there, she said she recalled showering while clothed and her next recollection was waking up naked as Jessup. Her dad sexually assaulted her, authorities wrote in the affidavit cited by the Daily Reporter should be noted as well in states like Indiana, based on the abortion bans in their states, you would also not be able to get abortion care in situations like this in many red states. The woman reported the assault to police in just a few days, and authorities arrested him in Indiana in June before extraditing him to Nevada, according to the Daily Reporter. During an interview with investigators, Jessup acknowledged that he, quote, fucked up and spoke of suicide, yet also said he had not done anything criminal. Jessup posted a $100,000 bond to await the outcome of the case against him. Under house arrest arrest in Las Vegas area In a statement to the Indiana news outlet, a Republican Party official in Hancock county denied that her organization had any role in Jessup's case. Until the legal process concludes or he resigns. In other words, the Republican Party was like, I guess it's just going to have to be up to him to resign. We have, we're not involved in that decision. We take no position. Rachel Jessup, now 22 years old, told the Daily Reporter she was disappointed vote voters elected her father despite the charges against him. She reportedly said she spoke out publicly because I want it known it's okay to come forward and while it's hard, it's good to share what happened. She also discussed her plans to pursue graduate level degree work in social work. Hancock county is part of a region that includes Indianapolis, the state capital. It has a population of about $80,000. So I mean, 80,000 people. So the purpose here of sharing that one story with you as well is that when you're saying, how could this be? They elected Donald Trump. This is what they're doing. The Republicans across the country as they've been radicalized to this Taliban style, okay. With sexually assaulting behavior. It's horrific. By the way, we wish the victim well and you know, we're so sorry for what happened to you. It's absolutely horrific. And we wish you well in your graduate studies. All right, let's go to Michigan in the Republican area of Monroe county, who elected a convict? And here the Republican convicted felon is going to be serving his term as an elected official. From behind bars. He pled guilty. He's receiving an 18 month sentence for renting out land to an area that illegally grew marijuana and was selling it against the law there. Pled guilty, but set, but ran while a convicted felon was elected with 90% of the vote after being a convicted felon and will be doing his job from behind bars. Here's the article. Newly elected County Commissioner Mark Brandt says he's eager to serve his constituents in Monroe County, Michigan. But first he has to serve time. Brandt is scheduled to report to federal prison in Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday, making this a Thanksgiving he will always remember, even if he'd rather forget. Brandt was sentenced to 18 months in a federal prison, fined 500,000 and agreed to give up more than $300,000 to the feds found in his Monroe home after he pled guilty to maintaining a drug involved premises. It goes on to say that he was elected in 2012. He basically hid from the other commissioners what was going on. But it says this Republican was still elected with a staggering 90% of the vote. His popularity contributed to his decisive victory, but he also benefited from running in a district that's so overwhelmingly Republican that no Democrat dared challenge him by trying to get on the ballot before the filing deadline in April. Add to the fact that Brandt had been elected three times before and that most folks had no idea he was in the Fed's crosshairs, but apparently didn't care at all. He goes on to say while I'm gone, he goes in jail. He goes prison. My phone will be available. I have somebody who will be taking my messages. And my fellow board members have all volunteered to handle all of my constituent concerns that I won't be able to handle. As for his salary of about $15,000, Brand said he had no choice. By law, I have to take the payment while I'm in prison, while I'm not there. So he's going to be making money while in prison as well.
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Political Commentator
Finally, let's go to the state of Missouri. Proposed Trump law seeks to allow felons to run for office in Missouri. And this is the type of laboratory for autocracy. My friend David Pepper talks about where they are cooking these horrific things to say, look, we're the pro felon party now. Let's call this law the Trump law for Real. This is what they're calling it. The Trump law says if you're a felon, you should be able to run for political officers office. A Missouri representative is proposing a repeal of a state law that currently prevents citizens with a felony history from running for a local and state office. Republican. It's a Republican, of course. Representative Michael Davis of Belton, a suburb of Kansas City, pre filed House Bill 318 on December 3. The bill, named the Donald J. Trump Election Qualification act, would make it possible for those who have been guilty of a felony character charge to run in a Missouri office if otherwise qualified. While Missouri allows convicted felons to vote after completing their sentence and to run for federal office, it prohibits them from becoming candidates for local and state offices. Davis calls this discrepancy within the qualifications of running for different offices. I believe that we should punish those who do wrong, but once they've completed the terms, we should allow individuals to reintegrate into society. They are citizens, they have the ability to work and pay taxes. And one of the aspects of being a citizen is being represented by your government and deciding who should be, who should be, who should represent you. Then it goes on to talk about Donald Trump's felony conviction. So let's be clear, folks. This is who the Republican Party is now. This is going on across the country. They're electing felons while they go and say they're the party of family values. And while the evangelicals support them, they are electing people who have pled guilty to sexually assaulting their own daughter. I mean, just think about that. While then also passing abortion bans to prevent access to reproductive health care. And you see these men who are pushing these laws, what's actually going on behind the scenes as well. And it's despicable and disgusting and something that we need to call out and we will call out here on the Midas Touch Network. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 4 million subscribers together. Love this video. Make sure you stay up to date on the latest breaking news and all things Midas by signing up to the Midas Touch newsletter@midas touch.com newsletter.
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The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump CAUSES even MORE FELONS to Lead Republicans"
Release Date: December 14, 2024
Introduction
In the December 14, 2024 episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into a critical examination of the Republican Party's recent trend of electing individuals with felony convictions. This episode, titled "Trump CAUSES even MORE FELONS to Lead Republicans," offers a comprehensive analysis of how former President Donald Trump's presence and actions have influenced the party's stance on candidate eligibility and the broader implications for American democracy.
Normalization of Felony Convictions in Republican Politics
The podcast opens with a political commentator addressing the alarming trend within the Republican Party: the election of convicted felons to public office. The commentator highlights that Donald Trump's election as a convicted felon is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern endorsed by the party.
Notable Quote:
"The fact that Trump as a convicted felon was elected is actually not unique to the Republican Party in this election cycle." [01:38]
The hosts argue that the Republican leadership is normalizing this trend by advocating for laws that permit felons to run for office, thereby undermining the integrity of democratic institutions.
Case Studies: Indiana and Michigan
To illustrate this disturbing trend, the podcast examines specific cases in Indiana and Michigan where individuals with serious criminal convictions secured elected positions.
Indiana: John Jessup's Conviction and Election
Notable Quote:
"It's absolutely horrific. We wish the victim well and you know, we're so sorry for what happened to you." [10:00]
Michigan: Mark Brandt's Election While Serving a Sentence
Notable Quote:
"I'm going to be making money while in prison as well." [10:45]
Missouri's "Trump Law": A Pathway for Felons
In Missouri, the podcast discusses the introduction of House Bill 318, dubbed the "Donald J. Trump Election Qualification Act." This legislation aims to repeal existing laws that prevent felons from running for local and state offices, aligning Missouri's policies with those that allow felons to vote and run for federal positions.
Notable Quote:
"This is what they're calling it. The Trump law says if you're a felon, you should be able to run for political office in Missouri." [13:17]
Representative Michael Davis of Belton argues that once individuals have served their sentences, they should reintegrate into society fully, including participating in the electoral process. Critics view this move as a strategic effort to pave the way for more convicted individuals, like Trump, to reclaim political power.
Implications for Democracy and Governance
The hosts express deep concern over these developments, emphasizing that allowing convicted felons to hold public office erodes public trust and undermines the rule of law. They draw parallels between the Republican Party's approach to felony eligibility and their actions on other conservative issues, such as abortion bans, suggesting a comprehensive strategy to consolidate power by any means necessary.
Notable Quote:
"This is coming from across the country. They're electing felons while they go and say they're the party of family values." [13:50]
The discussion underscores the potential for these legislative changes to create a "laboratory for autocracy," where democratic norms are subverted to perpetuate the party's dominance.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In wrapping up the episode, the Meiselas brothers reiterate the importance of vigilance in safeguarding democratic institutions. They call on listeners to stay informed, engage in civic duties, and hold elected officials accountable to prevent the normalization of felony convictions in politics.
Notable Quote:
"It's despicable and disgusting and something that we need to call out and we will call out here on the Midas Touch Network." [14:20]
The podcast concludes with an encouragement to subscribe and support their mission to uphold democracy and expose the troubling shifts within political parties.
Final Thoughts
This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast serves as a critical examination of the current political landscape, highlighting the Republican Party's troubling endorsement of convicted felons in public office. Through detailed case studies and incisive commentary, the hosts shed light on the broader implications for American democracy, urging listeners to remain engaged and proactive in defending democratic values.
For those interested in supporting democracy and staying informed on political developments, The MeidasTouch Podcast remains a vital resource, combining insightful analysis with engaging brotherly discourse.