Sure, anyone is free to join either the Democratic or Republican parties. If by "free" you mean an unrelenting stream of text messages, calls and emails asking for money ;)

Smith's case rests on what was an unwritten rule (though some of it legalized). The rule is that all officials separate their work from campaigning, or things directly benefiting their political parties.

I was arguing there no longer any separation. Again, no fan of Trump, but his asking people to do seedy things is not specifically Republican.

Again, I think it SHOULD BE illegal, but the battle ended long, long ago. You mentioned one of my favorite movies. The news has always been biased of course, but at least is was demonstrably separate from opinion (private to the individual).

Yes, Trump is a felon. But the case about Jan 6th won't fly because to really get him the Democrats would have to do thing that limit their own party. The Democrats should be my party. But their foreign policy, to me, is getting us into WWIII. Has been for some time.

I wouldn't say justice is public anymore. Justice Alito should be a judge for traffic court, if even that. His arguments are pure drivel.