This should not be news, but I am afraid it is the common misplaced belief across the globe.
While I do not intend to justify corruption and malfeasance in Africa, Lord knows we have had our share, I thought I would shed some light on the extent of corruption in these United States, my adopted home for the last 48 years.
Under Donald Trump it has been a free for all. It has never been this bad, and this bad behavior seems to have become the norm, and the man seems to get away with it.
In the last two years since he occupied the Oval Office, five of his presidential aides have either pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, or are in prison serving time.
President Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, 69, is serving an eight year sentence for conspiring to defraud the US and conspiring to obstruct justice, all related to his Ukrainian consulting work. He was also charged with counts of tax fraud and bank fraud.
Michael Cohen, 51, Trump’s lawyer and “fixer” who once swore to “take a bullet for the president” is behind bars serving a four year sentence on a number of charges, most notably making an “excessive campaign contribution at the request of a candidate or campaign”, ie Trump. This is all related to payments made to the Playboy model Karen McDougal and Trump’s pornographic film babe Stormy Daniels. Feel for Melania.
Following his plea, Cohen’s lawyer tweeted: “IF THOSE PAYMENTS WERE A CRIME FOR MICHAEL COHEN, THEN WHY WOULDN’T THEY BE A CRIME FOR DONALD TRUMP?”
Beats me.
Gen Michael Flynn, 59, briefly the National Security Adviser resigned after it emerged that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence over his communications with the Russian ambassador prior to Trump taking office. He is currently free awaiting sentencing.
Rick Gates, Campaign Manager Manafort’s business partner when asked: “Did you commit crimes with Mr. Manafort?” He responded: “Yes”. He too is awaiting sentencing.
George Papadopoulos,31, a foreign policy adviser to Trump during the election campaign has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with Russians during the campaign.
The stench of rot in D.C. is dizzying.
All this against the backdrop of candidate Donald Trump promising the American people during the campaign season that if elected he “would drain the swamp” – a reference to cleaning up corruption in government and the White House. Now the swamp is overflowing with millionaire and billionaire alligators. It has never been worse.
So when we speak of corruption it is not the province dominated by Africans and other developing countries. America is awash in it and there seems to be no end in sight.
Since 2007, here is a non-exhaustive list of public officials who have gone to prison for various felonies;
Congressman Trey Radel convicted of possession of cocaine in 2013.
Congressman Jesse Jackson was convicted of illegally spending $750,000 of his campaign funds on lavish personal items in 2013.
Kwame Kilpatrick, the Mayor of Detroit was sentenced to 28 years for corruption in 2013.
Governor Rob Blagojevich of Illinois was sentenced to 14 years for attempting to sell Sen Barack Obama’s seat when he became President, thus becoming Illinois’ fourth governor to serve a prison sentence. It must be the air in Chicago.
Congressman William Jefferson was given a 13 year sentence for bribery in 2009 after the FBI seized $90,000 they found stashed in his freezer at home.
Last but not least, Sen Larry Craig was convicted of lewd conduct in a public toilet in 2007.
Donal Trump’s bromance with Vladimir Putin is cause for concern, and a real threat to American institutions and democracy. His ignoring Russian interference in our elections is giving many sleepless nights. Whether it will be his downfall remains to be seen.
No greater threat has ever threatened America than Donald Trump’s seemingly tolerance for corruption and his misplaced belief that he is above the law.
The State of our Union is shaky.
