Lean to the Left is a progressive media platform offering political commentary, fact-based news analysis, and expert interviews that expose threats to democracy and hold leaders accountable. Lean to the Left is an independent, evolving media platform. Member benefits will grow and adapt over time. Founded in 2017 as Not Fake News and rebranded in 2021, Lean to the Left brings together the work of journalist and author Bob Gatty and a talented team of contributing writers who deliver sharp, insightful content on the issues affecting Americans today. 

Our podcast—launched as NFN Radio News before becoming The Lean to the Left Podcast—featured weekly interviews with authors, activists, experts, and political insiders, with hard-hitting commentary on the challenges facing our nation. What began as a podcast grew into a community of listeners and readers who care deeply about democracy, accountability, and civic engagement. At its close, the Lean to the Left podcast had reached nearly 850 episodes with a worldwide audience.

Lean to the Left: Stay Informed. Speak Up. Join the Conversation.

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

The Dixie Dems: The Trump Indictments

Dixie Dems August Promo

Today on the Lean to the Left podcast, we present the Dixie Dems, commentary by three Democrats who live in the south, are actively in Democratic politics, and who have a lot to say about the fact that a former U.S. president has been indicted four times and could end up serving time.

The Dixie Dems include Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. I’m a Maryander transplanted into South Carolina. Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. Me, I do communications work for the Horry County, SC Democratic Party in addition to hosting this podcast and producing the Lean to the Left blog site.

Today, it’s all – or at least mostly – about Georgia and the latest indictment of Donald Trump. However, we also take a look at the No Labels Party movement and what that could mean for the 2024 presidential election. None of us think it's a good idea.

Meanwhile, many experts say the Georgia indictments could be the most serious of the four separate cases in which Trump has been indicted.

Some questions we discuss on the show:

Let's Go Rico image

Robert…you’re living the dream in Georgia. Fill us in on what’s happening there. Why is this case, with 13 charges against Trump, perhaps the most serious threat to his freedom compared to the others in which he has been charged. What’s your take on the Fulton County prosecutor, Fani T. Willis?

Because these are state charges, Trump couldn’t pardon himself if elected president. But could he be pardoned by the Georgia governor, the Republican, Brian Kemp?

Former Trump lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said the Georgia charges had “the purpose of framing President Donald Trump and anyone willing to take on the ruling regime.” Another Trump lawyer, Jenna Ellis said “The Democrats and the Fulton County DA are criminalizing the practice of law.

”Then, she added, “I am resolved to trust the Lord and I will simply continue to honor, praise, and serve Him.” That was on X (or Twitter). “The lord will protect you as well as he protects us from gun violence,” responded another Xer. What do you guys think about that?

How are Georgia Republicans responding to all of this? Incredible that polls still have Trump dominating in the race for the GOP presidential nomination.

Also incredible that some of Trump’s rivals are echoing his attacks on Prosecutor Willis. DeSantis called the indictment against Trump “an example of this criminalization of politics.”

These characters who supposedly are seeking the GOP presidential nomination, but really are angling to win Trump’s nod for the vice-presidential nomination…don’t they see what happens to people who line up with Trump? For some, it’s been the death knell for their careers; for others, it’s federal prison. You’d think they’d run as far away from this guy as possible.

Seems to me that former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan showed some integrity, though, saying that GOP voters should “hit the reset button,” adding, “To think that we are going to stand behind somebody that’s in that level of trouble—times four—is ridiculous,” he said. He was one of the state officials Trump contacted urging them to reverse his Georgia loss.

Did you guys hear about Trump’s new campaign ad attacking the three prosecutors who have charged him with felonies, as well as NY AG Letitia James who sued the Trump family and organization on charges that they engaged in widespread fraud?

More than half the 60-second ad focuses on Willis, and according to Washington Post fact checkers three of the four claims made in the ad are false. Trump has until August 25 to surrender at the Fulton County Jail for booking, and apparently will have his mug shot taken and be fingerprinted.

Think about this…over the past few years Trump has been trying to get his image on Mount Rushmore with Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson. Now, probably the most famous of all Trump photos will be his mug shot, taken as a common criminal.

Listen to the podcast:

Watch The Dixie Dems: https://youtu.be/Wq-cYTYTr4M

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign Up for Email Updates

Subscribe to get email updates and access to exclusive subscriber content.

Name(Required)
Email(Required)