dhork , 1 month ago

I think the best way to go is probation, enforced with some sort of suspended sentence. If he violates the terms of his probation, the suspended sentence kicks in and he goes straight to Rikers for a few months. It reinforces the point that the crimes may not warrant jail time, but his attitude definitely does. And leaves the whole thing up to his own actions.

And the probation terms will probably not be that onerous. Most probation officers simply make sure their charges are still gainfully employed, and are obeying laws. But Trump is a political candidate and NFT salesman, so we all know he has money coming in. Maybe they ask about his travel plans, which his team can easily give. Maybe they ask him about his medications and make him pee in a cup. Maybe they make him do some community service, which he will spin into campaign stops.

The probation process for Trump will be purely performative, but it is an important performance. It will be all about whether he recognizes that the NYC criminal justice system now has some oversight over him. If he does not, and does not cooperate with his probation officer (who, odds are, has heritage from one of those countries he doesn’t like), he will end up in Rikers, purely due to his ability to not listen to people he doesn’t like.