No monetary fine would ever have been a real consequence for him,

But they would carry the optics of a consequence. Sure, it's not really much for Trump, but 60 grand is a fortune to half or more of the country. Foregoing that potential fine just makes the justice system look even more two-tiered.

"Well, a 5 figure fine is meaningless to this rich guy so we won't even bother, but a $500 fine is impossible for this single mom to pay so we'll put her in jail for a few days instead, or force her to spend what little time off she has to do some community service."

The lack of any consequence at all completely sticks in my craw. It's wrong. It doesn't matter if the consequence is meaningless to any particular criminal. It's meaningful to society as a whole. It's meaningful to the concept of equality under the law.

--Peter

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