Conservative New York Times columnist David French penned a blistering takedown of the "dark deeds" behind President Donald Trump's brazen "self-dealing" during his second stint in the White House.
In a new column, French blasted Trump for accepting a $400 million plane from a foreign government, pardoning a cryptocurrency billionaire with links to Trump's businesses, and openly calling for his political foes to be prosecuted. French argued that the efforts of GOP leaders like Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to defend the president's actions show how Trump has created a new political paradigm.
"If there is no cover-up, then there must not have been a crime," French wrote.
"If there is a word that describes the second Trump administration, it’s brazen," French continued. "While I certainly hold open the possibility that dark deeds are being done in secret, one thing that is remarkable is how open and obvious he is with his self-dealing."
French also described some of the statements made in defense of Trump's self-dealing as "remarkable." For instance, he pointed to Johnson's claim that Trump is being "transparent" about his actions as president.
"That’s a remarkable statement, and it’s assuredly not a real defense of Trump’s conduct," French wrote. "It’s as if Johnson is arguing that a bank robbery is only a crime if the assailant wears a mask. But if the robber walks in and smiles for the security cameras? Well, that’s out in the open. He’s not trying to conceal anything."
"Whether it’s by instinct or intention, Trump seems to have stumbled onto two key truths about his partisan supporters: They are desperate to rationalize, excuse and justify anything that he does, and they do not know much of anything about the law," he continued.