They who rule unjustly and incompetently have been raised up by God to punish the wickedness of the people.
— John Calvin
I'm not a lawyer, but it seems clear to me that his best defense is the one known as vis major (a tort law defense, not a criminal law defense; but what the hell).
God did it.
Arguing vis major, Trump can escape all liability for the damages to democracy that occurred on his watch, simply by blaming God.
Good leaders reflect God's grace; wicked leaders, His wrath; but "all equally have been endowed with that holy majesty with which He has invested lawful power."
Trump may have been a wicked leader, but God was responsible; so Trump should not be punished for his treasonous deeds.
Instead, he should be revered.
"In a very wicked man, utterly unworthy of all honor," Calvin writes, "provided he has the public power in his hands, that noble and divine power resides which the Lord has by His word given to the ministers of his justice and judgment.
"Accordingly, he should be held in the same reverence and esteem by his subjects, in so far as public obedience is concerned, in which they would hold the best of leaders if he were given to them."
Stay tuned.
