Rudolf Giuliani: From ‘America’s Mayor’ to Disgraced Lawyer

Holding the Trump 2.0 criminal group accountable is a matter of pressing concern. Rudolf W. Giuliani, known as ‘America’s mayor’, is a figure often associated with numerous remarkable images. He is recognizable in moments of valor at Ground Zero, in distasteful scenes from the sequel of Borat, and in episodes where he finds amusement in unsolicited advances on his assistant. His most notable portrayal, however, is as a wine enthusiast, where he is pictured in inebriated moments of dialing reporters or enjoying his Super Tuscan in a state of absolute contentment.

The year 2024, however, marked a tide of change in Giuliani’s reputation. On the 2nd of July, an act that could in layman’s terms be defined as fabrication of dishonest tales about the 2020 presidential election led to his disbarment in New York. He was quickly confronted with another legal impediment ten days later, when his endeavors to file for bankruptcy were rejected by a court due to a $148 million defamation lawsuit.

The court cited that he had concealed his assets derived from various fronts, ranging from his radio show to the launch of a coffee brand and a book deal. Despite these financial ventures, he spent a hefty sum of $28,000 per month on lavish condos.

In two months’ time, Giuliani found himself disbarred in the capital, Washington, DC. His attempts to feign ignorance about the whereabouts of his valuables and refusal to comply with his obligations to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss were deemed ‘farcical’ by a judge. These were the very election workers he had falsely gridlocked in the controversies of the 2020 election.

By November, he found himself facing contempt charges for redefaming Freeman and Moss. It was refreshing to see that finally, a semblance of punishment had befallen those who threatened the pillars of our democracy.

Yet, even in the face of such repercussions, Giuliani continued to seemingly enjoy a life of luxury. A scroll through his social media accounts would reveal splendid images of the Sistine Chapel, a stark contrast to the image of a financially burdened individual with a $148 million monetary obligation.

The unsavory details surrounding the members of the Trump administration have made a compelling case for the need for rigorous legal action. Any politician, particularly Democratic candidates, promising to prosecute and penalize members of this administration would instantly win my support and, undoubtedly, that of countless others who value justice.

Coming from a generation who lived through the aftereffects of Watergate, the idea of holding members of an administration accountable holds a personal significance to me. The anguished voices echoing disappointment in Jerry Ford for pardoning Nixon during my childhood still resonate today.

It’s indeed a moment of reflection when acts of public protest are regarded as a critical threat to our social order, instantly demanding severe punishments. Yet, when it comes to those who are at the helm of the country’s operations, criminal behavior is often overlooked, and the legal codes are outright ignored.

The prison, or even the sheer concept of it, seems to be an awkward topic when it pertains to those in power. It almost elicits the same discomfort as questioning the viability of bombing campaigns directed towards innocent civilians.

Two punchlines that seem to circulate on social media platforms revolve around the discovery that there are minimal deterrents to prevent you from indulging in illegal activities continuously. The other jests about the only way to uphold the rule of law being through primary elections, and collective participation.

Democratic candidates determined to combat corruption in high offices and sworn to cleanse immoral elements from public life will certainly get my attention. Pledging to prosecute these wrongdoers and imprison them for as long as the law permits will be the rallying call for many voters, prompting them to support these candidates.

Anything less than that, and one could envision Giuliani toasting his wine glass in an exotic foreign locale, celebrating another era of unchallenged misconduct.