PLUNDER. . .

(PLUNDER. . .)

Operation PLUNDER was the last Allied drive of the Second World War and was the attack that finally had the entire Expeditionary Force line abreast on the east side of the Rhine. As for the execution of PLUNDER itself, that fell to the 21st Army Group under the command of General Bernard Law Montgomery, with the British Second Army and the U.S. Nineth Armies as subordinate formations. PLUNDER had been supplemented by Operation VARSITY, the largest airborne operation with 17,000 troopers, the largest drop of the War. The PLUNDER/VARSITY operation might have been the penultimate phase but General Eisenhower's command at SHAEF, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces, was not the oiled machine it had been.

After the shock of the Battle of the Bulge, General Montgomery thought he should be promoted to a command still subservient to Eisenhower but superior to the component commanders. like Bradley or Devers, not to mention army commands like Hodges at First Army or Patton at Third. Montgomery was rebuffed in the end but the episode poisoned SHAEF but since the war was about to end, the bad feeling did not matter in the long run.

The term "plunder," however, is appropriate. Whether one is speaking of the Trump treasury being plundered, or how House Republicans are plundering their chances of remaining the Majority Party. On the other side, the other end needs to be examined. If Trump cannot secure a bond payment by tomorrow, his real estate assets will begin to be sequestered. If that will also apply to the Mar-A-Lago, estate, that value would more accurately its true price. If the government starts proceedings to begin the acquisitions, and Ms. James goes down to Trump Tower or some other piece real estate, and the erstwhile D.A. can declare victory. It could prove Pyrrhic, however.

In the attempt get Trump, the New York market, not just in real estate, but in other concerns, has been damaged. Leticia James and Judge What's his name seem to willing to accept that cost. And that in turn could cost President Biden re-election. As one analysist put it, this pursuit of the former President could all but ensure his return to Office. Therefore, in another sense, James and the Judge are plundering their best chance to keep Trump off the trail.

What about all those House Republicans, perhaps on the verge of imploding ?' If the reaction to Trump's predicament is carried, Republicans, even in the House, could benefit. The edge would be tight, however. The GOP is down to one Seat and that is all that would be required for Democrats to re-take control.

Each side has been plundering its opportunities. The rush for a short-term gain, like a Trump bankruptcy or looking to replace Speaker Johnosn is perhaps ignoring a broader consequence. By night-time tomorrow, Trump could be wearing only a barrel and could need to have new keys made. What then happens with House Republicans or the Attorney General's Office, who will be remembered for plundering the most ?