Resurrection of the "Teflon Don"

“In the United States, President Trump would

like to establish a mafia state, ...." George Soros

In 2002 John Gotti, reputed "Boss" of the Gambino Crime family, a.k.a the Teflon Don, died at a United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. The late boss was given the name Teflon Don because he avoided conviction for so long. It seemed that like Teflon (the non-stick coating for pans and other cookware) charges against him would never stick. It is said that he accomplished this feat by tampering with witnesses and generally obstructing justice at every turn.

John Gotti was a New York gangster who thought that he could not be touched by the law. In effect, he thought he was above the law - a delusion characteristic of gangsters and would-be dictators. Like most gangsters John Gotti made his way to fortune and infamy by being a bully. Like all bullies his tactics were threats and intimidations. Of course he was also alleged to have been responsible for more than a hundred murders. Be that as it may, what Gotti represented was the modern evolution of gangerism.

Gangerism Playbook

Perhaps taking a page from the Al Capone gangster playbook he came out of the shadows to bask in the destructive sunlight of publicity. Yes he was proud of it. Apparently, Gotti was a publicity hound as well. He loved the spotlight. Kept his hair neatly coiffed as if he began every day at the salon. He wore $1000 dollar suits (he was also called the Dapper Don). He loved praise. He was a braggard. And he was was beloved by his faithful followers. Who by the way supported him until the end - no matter what was said about him or what charges were brought against him. And of course, he was a native New Yorker. Sound like somebody else we know? Yes and the resemblance is so uncanny that I am pressed to ask has John Gotti been resurrected? Is President Donald Trump the New Teflon Don?

The Mueller Connecion

Those uncanny similarities aside there is another that we and President should not overlook. John Gotti died in prison because bullies and gangsters (a difference without a distinction) always end up the same way. But what is really noteworthy and telling about the comparison between the first and second Teflon Don is that the second may be brought down by the same person who brought down the first.

John Gotti avoided conviction through multiple trials. His downfall- the conviction for which he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole was in U.S. v, Gotti, et al, the man who brought down John Gotti was then Assistant United States Attorney General Robert Mueller. Mueller authorized the deal with Sammy Gravano that put the last nail in Gotti's coffin.

John Gotti believed he was above the law because he kept winning. President Trump says the investigation by Special Counsel Mueller is a "witch hunt" and that he will be exonerated. Perhaps after he fires Mueller? I doubt it.

Another Similarity

Another important similarly. Mueller and his team of prosecutors will be following the money trail which must inevitably lead to the massive infusions of hundreds of millions of dollars from sources linked not only to Russia but also the Russian Mafia. Not to mention that an alleged Russian money launderer owned five condos in Trump Tower that the FBI seized as having been purchased to “launder money, to shelter and hide assets.”

The Last Point

One last point. On the day that John Gotti was sentenced "... hundreds of chanting, flag-waving Gotti supporters protested in front of the Federal courthouse in Brooklyn, .... [o]utside the courthouse, demonstrators displayed placards and chanted support for Mr. Gotti for more than two hours. Police officials said that at its peak, the demonstration included about 800 to 1,000 people. They said several cars parked in front of the courthouse were damaged, seven demonstrators were arrested and eight police officers were injured." Die hard supporters are the same no matter who the Don.

Is President Trump the new Teflon Don? Only time will tell.

____________________________________________________________________

Johnnie Cordero holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Doctorate in Jurisprudence. He is the author of Total Black Empowerment: A Guide to Critical Thinking in the Age of Trump. His new book Theodicy and The Power of the African Will is now available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and other on line book sellers.