Trump's Crimes & Investigations

[pnwguy]

Aug 2, 2023 16:24:17 GMT LFC said:

Over at National Review and elsewhere they're screeching that this was already dealt with by the impeachment proceedings, which are of course political. During the impeachment proceedings a number of Republicans, including Moscow Mitch, screeched that they wouldn't vote for impeachment because it should be dealt with as a criminal proceeding. I doubt any of you reading this are in the least bit surprised.

Catch 22, anyone?

[pnwguy]

From Tom Nichols in The Atlantic, yesterday.

This Is the Case

Over the past year, state and federal prosecutors have alleged that Donald Trump went on something like a crime spree as a presidential candidate, as the sitting president, and then as a private citizen after his defeat. The charges, from Manhattan to Mar-a-Lago, include business fraud, the illegal retention of classified material, and the destruction of evidence.

All of these accusations, however, pale in importance next to the indictment handed down today.

Trump is accused of multiple conspiracies against the United States, all designed to keep him in power against the will of the voters and in violation of the Constitution. The former president—once our chief executive, the commander in chief, the leader we entrusted with the keys to nuclear hell—is accused of knowing that he lost a free and fair election, and, rather than transferring power to a duly elected successor, engaging in criminal plots against our democracy, all while firing up a mob that would later storm the Capitol. (The Trump campaign issued a rambling statement that called the charges “fake.”)

Long before now, however, Americans should have reached the conclusion, with or without a trial, that Trump is a menace to the United States and poisonous to our society. (Senator J. D. Vance of Ohio once referred to Trump as “cultural heroin,” but that was before he decided to seek power in the Republican Party.) The GOP base, controlled by Trump’s cult of personality, will likely never admit its mistake: As my colleague Peter Wehner writes, Trump’s record of “lawlessness and depravity” means nothing to Republicans. But other Republicans now, more than ever, face a moment of truth. They must decide if they are partisans or patriots. They can no longer claim to be both.

The rest of us, as a nation but also as individuals, can no longer indulge the pretense that Trump is just another Republican candidate, that supporting Donald Trump is just another political choice, and that agreeing with Trump’s attacks on our democracy is just a difference of opinion. (Those of us who share our views in the media have a particular duty to cease discussing Trump as if he were a normal candidate—or even a normal person—especially after today’s indictment.) I have long described Trump’s candidacies as moral choices and tests of civic character, but I have also cautioned that Americans, for the sake of social comity, should resist too many arguments about politics among themselves. I can no longer defend this advice.

The indictment handed down today challenges every American to put a shoulder to the wheel and defend our republic in every peaceful, legal, and civilized way they can. According to the charges, not only did Trump try to overturn the election; he presided over a clutch of co-conspirators who intended to put down any further challenges to Trump’s continued rule by force. According to the indictment:

The Deputy White House Counsel reiterated to Co-Conspirator 4 that there had not been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that if the Defendant [Trump] remained in office nonetheless, there would be “riots in every major city in the United States.” Co-Conspirator 4 responded, “Well, [Deputy White House Counsel], that’s why there’s an Insurrection Act.”

The Insurrection Act allows the president to deploy the U.S. armed forces against American citizens. The alleged plot inside the White House was not merely to invalidate an election; it included the possibility of unleashing the American military against its own people.

This is why we can no longer merely roll our eyes when an annoying uncle rhapsodizes about stolen elections. We should not gently ask our parents if perhaps we might change the channel from Fox during dinner. We are not obligated to gingerly change the subject when an old friend goes on about “Demonrats” or the dire national-security implications around Hunter Biden’s genitalia. Enough of all this; we can love our friends and our family and our neighbors without accepting their terms of debate. To support Trump is to support sedition and violence, and we must be willing to speak this truth not only to power but to our fellow citizens.

Trump and his media enablers, of course, will fume that any criticism of choices made by millions of voters is uncivil and condescending—even as they paint other American citizens as traitors who support pedophiles and perverts. Trump has made such accusations, and the implied threat of violence behind them, part of the everyday American political environment. This brutish bullying is aimed at stopping the rest of us from speaking our mind. But after today, every American citizen who cares about the Constitution should affirm, without hesitation, that any form of association with Trump is reprehensible, that each of us will draw moral conclusions about anyone who continues to support him, and that these conclusions will guide both our political and our personal choices.

This is painful advice to give and to follow. No one, including me, wants to lose friends or chill valued relationships over so small a man as Trump. But our democracy is about to go into legal and electoral battle for its own survival. If we don’t speak up—to one another, as well as to the media and to our elected officials—and Trump defeats us all by regaining power and making a mockery of American democracy, then we’ll all have lost a lot more than a few friendships. We face in Trump a dedicated enemy of our Constitution, and if he returns to office, his next “administration” will be a gang of felons, goons, and resentful mediocrities, all of whom will gladly serve Trump’s sociopathic needs while greedily dividing the spoils of power.

In the 1982 film The Verdict, Paul Newman plays Frank Galvin, an ambulance-chasing attorney with an alcohol addiction who takes on what he thinks will be a routine malpractice suit and soon finds himself fighting for justice against powerful institutions determined to stop him. On the eve of the trial, all seems lost. His mentor and former partner tries to comfort him. “There’ll be other cases,” his friend says. Galvin knows better. “There are no other cases,” he says quietly, with his eyes closed. “This is the case.” He repeats this truth, whispering to himself, over and over: “There are no other cases. This is the case.”

Jack Smith has indicted Donald Trump for trying to overthrow our system of government. There are no other cases. This is the case.

[LFC]

The GOP base, controlled by Trump’s cult of personality, will likely never admit its mistake: As my colleague Peter Wehner writes, Trump’s record of “lawlessness and depravity” means nothing to Republicans. But other Republicans now, more than ever, face a moment of truth. They must decide if they are partisans or patriots. They can no longer claim to be both.

They've always been like this, though. Think of how they screeched about the withdrawal from Afghanistan. When compared to other operations of that size, it was an amazing success but Republicans melted down over one terrorist attack that killed some people, mostly people they didn't give a shit about anyway. Next time a MAGAt brings that up, tell them that at least he didn't preside over 240 Marines being slaughtered in Lebanon like St. Ronny. I did that to a right-winger online once about something that happened under Obama (I don't even remember what the incident was). He quickly went from saying Obama had to take the blame because he was Commander in Chief to ad hominens, verbal spittle, and a complete defense of Reagan. It was f***ing hilarious.

[AnBr]

[goldenvalley]

Trump’s going to find himself in jail without his cell phone if he keeps this up. www.politico.com/news/2023/08/04/feds-alert-judge-to-trumps-if-you-go-after-me-im-coming-after-you-post-00109944


“Prosecutors on Friday night called a judge’s attention to a social media post from Donald Trump — issued hours earlier — in which they say the former president appeared to declare that he’s “coming after” those he sees as responsible for the series of formidable legal challenges he is facing.

Attorneys from special counsel Jack Smith’s team said the post from Trump “specifically or by implication” referenced those involved in his criminal case for seeking to subvert the 2020 election.”

*******
“If you go after me, I’m coming after you!” Trump wrote in all caps Friday afternoon on Truth Social, which is run by a media company he co-owns.

The prosecutors said Trump’s post raised concerns that he might improperly share evidence in the case on his social media account and they urged that he be ordered to keep any evidence prosecutors turn over to his defense team from public view.

“All the proposed order seeks to prevent is the improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public,” Gaston and Windom wrote. “Such a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him. … And in recent days, regarding this case, the defendant has issued multiple posts—either specifically or by implication—including the following, which the defendant posted just hours ago.””

yeah he will be disclosing discovery released to him and his lawyers because ha cannot refrain from expressing himself. But the bigger danger in my mind is him siccing his crazed followers on witnesses, prosecutors, judges, and jurors. All it takes is a lucky shot at someone or pipe bombs planted in likely locations. 

PS. If I were Pence I’d be taking myself off the campaign trail. He’s got a big target painted on his back since the indictment discusses his testimony and what he’s been saying about it in public speeches. 

[LFC]

Judge Aileen "Loose" Cannon continues to illustrate that she has no idea what the f*** she's doing. She's unfit for her position in addition to being an obvious Trumpsucker.

More questions were asked of Judge Aileen Cannon’s fitness to preside over Donald Trump’s high-profile classified documents case on Monday after the South Florida federal judge rejected special counsel Jack Smith’s bid to preserve “grand jury secrecy” through sealed filings.

In her ruling, Cannon questioned the “legal propriety” of Smith using an “out-of-district grand jury to continue to investigate and/or to seek post-indictment hearings.” She demanded that Smith explain why prosecutors are doing this by Aug. 22.

While much of the Mar-a-Lago docs case is being handled out of Cannon’s district, a portion of the grand jury work ahead of Trump’s indictment was done by a D.C. grand jury, which Cannon appeared perplexed by.

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance wrote online that Cannon’s latest order “may tee up the issue of her fitness on this case.” Andrew Weissmann, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, suggested the same—writing that Cannon’s order is “off base.”

“Judge Cannon clearly shows her ignorance (bias? both?); the obstruction crimes that were investigated are charges that could have been brought in [Florida] or in DC and thus could be investigated in either district,” he wrote on Twitter. “And there was conduct that is alleged to have occurred outside [Florida].”

In a separate blow to Smith, Cannon also removed two filings by prosecutors—about defense attorney Stanley Woodward’s potential conflicts of interest—from the record entirely.

Prosecutors had asked for a so-called Garcia hearing to alert Woodward’s clients of the potential conflicts of interest, so they filed a motion in hopes they could do so while keeping information off the public record.

Cannon shot down that request, however, writing that prosecutors didn’t do enough to explain why the meeting needed to be kept under wraps. Smith can file new requests to seal the material, but Cannon has made clear she won’t grant a request without a thorough explanation as to why it’s necessary.

[goldenvalley]

Another week, another indictment watch...this time Georgia with the smoking gun taped phone conversation with the Secretary of State, a fake electors slate, and who knows what else.

The Georgia investigation may prove to be the most expansive legal challenge yet to the efforts that Mr. Trump and his advisers and other associates undertook to keep him in power after he lost the 2020 election. Nearly 20 people are known to have been told that they could face charges. They include Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who, as a Trump lawyer, made numerous false claims about voter fraud at Georgia legislative hearings.

They also include David Shafer, the former chair of the state Republican Party. He oversaw the meeting of the bogus electors in December 2020; more than half of the electors have been cooperating with Ms. Willis’s office.

And a number of crossover witnesses who might be un-named co conspirators in the Washington DC case:

A number of lawyers who worked to keep Mr. Trump in power have been under scrutiny in the investigation, including John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and Kenneth Chesebro. Last year, Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff, was ordered to testify before a special grand jury that aided in the investigation.

I still find this all to be the stuff of a bad political novel that I wouldn't bother to read.  But this is real life and has real life consequences for all of us. 

[indy]

It appears that Georgia indictment regarding Trump was leaked a little prematurely. Click through to the tweet to see the list of charges.

[goldenvalley]

Here is the indictment.  It's more interesting than the federal indictment because there are so many defendants and un-indicted co- conspirators in a wide range of activity in Georgia.  Some of this stuff is new to me...like testimony in front of the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee and stuff related to the false electors.

I still have to pinch myself to convince me that a former president now has 4 indictments with multiple counts.  I remember my poly science professors talking about Watergate.  They're all dead now but I would love to dig them up to find out what they are thinking.

[indy]

I, for one, am hoping Trump and Company do find a few more votes in Georgia: specifically, 12 of them. Nice to see some of these 'attorneys' finally targeted for their behavior. I was previously unaware that Powell personally hired and paid the company that was involved in the Coffee County data breach.

[indy]

Aug 15, 2023 3:35:21 GMT goldenvalley said:

I still have to pinch myself to convince me that a former president now has 4 indictments with multiple counts.

One of the funnier reactions I saw on twitter was someone who said they hadn't had a chance yet to take down their third indictment decorations.

[indy]

One of the nicer details of Georgia's RICO law is that those convicted must serve some mandatory jail time. Also no pardons from Georgia's governor.

[pnwguy]

Aug 15, 2023 15:24:34 GMT indy said:

One of the nicer details of Georgia's RICO law is that those convicted must serve some mandatory jail time. Also no pardons from Georgia's governor.

Yes, but how quickly would the state GOP leaders rush new laws into place to overturn everything, including state constitutional issues.  Laws aren't made for Republicans.  Only criminals (Democrats).  

[indy]

Aug 15, 2023 15:50:14 GMT pnwguy said:

Aug 15, 2023 15:24:34 GMT indy said:

One of the nicer details of Georgia's RICO law is that those convicted must serve some mandatory jail time. Also no pardons from Georgia's governor.

Yes, but how quickly would the state GOP leaders rush new laws into place to overturn everything, including state constitutional issues.  Laws aren't made for Republicans.  Only criminals (Democrats).  

[AnBr]

That "X" in the upper corner makes me want to click on it and make it all go away.

[pnwguy]

Aug 15, 2023 20:27:56 GMT AnBr said:

That "X" in the upper corner makes me want to click on it and make it all go away.

There is a famous scene in Being There with Peter Seller's Chauncey Gardner in a confrontation with a street gang.  He takes out his TV remote control and tries to make the situation go away by hitting the off button.

What we wouldn't do for an Off button on MAGA TV.

[indy]

If you can't win straight up, work the refs. When working the refs doesn't get you where you want to be, change the rules. If changing the rules doesn't work, resort to force. It's the long sad tale of humanity in 3 short sentences, and sometimes the first two are just skipped.

[goldenvalley]

Ah ha!  I've been waiting for something definitive on Roger Stone...looks like there is video.  Wonder how the 1/6 Select Committee didn't find this...and of course the Trump loyalists will yell 1st Amendment.  Yeah ole' Rog has a right to say it, but not a right to avoid the consequences of participating in a conspiracy or in trying to carry out the conspiracy.

[indy]

I am truly wondering how long this plan has been formulating in 'certain' Republican circles? It seems a little too organized and a little too fully developed as articulated by Stone to have just occurred to him. Has this been sitting on a shelf waiting for the right circumstances and someone with the required character deficits that Trump obviously has to execute it?

[indy]

Surprise, surprise. Trump looks to have abandoned Rudy financially.

www.cnn.com/2023/08/16/politics/giuliani-trump-legal-bills/index.html

[pnwguy]

Aug 17, 2023 15:38:18 GMT indy said:

Surprise, surprise. Trump looks to have abandoned Rudy financially.

www.cnn.com/2023/08/16/politics/giuliani-trump-legal-bills/index.html

[LFC]

First we had beggar Rudy. Now we have another traitor begging for lawyer money.

Conservative media personality and former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis is taking to GoFundMe to raise cash for her defense fees after she was indicted earlier this week in Georgia. Ellis shared a link on Tuesday via Twitter to her fundraising page, where she’s already raised more than $46,000. “Our friend Jenna Ellis has been wrongly indicted in Georgia by the radical Democrat DA and doesn’t have the funds needed to vigorously defend herself,” tweeted right-wing radio host Mark Levin on Wednesday, calling her indictment a “sickening abomination” before sharing the GoFundMe link. Ellis was one of several members of Trump’s legal team indicted by the Georgia grand jury for allegedly plotting to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election results. Interestingly, she’s fully behind Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary for 2024, calling him the “right choice” on Donald Trump’s own Truth Social platform on Tuesday.

The more of these asshats who get buried under mounting legal bills, the higher the chance of one or more flipping on Trump and taking a deal that ends up being a lot cheaper.

[indy]

Nothing twisted about this.

[AnBr]

[AnBr]

Here it is:



Boy does he look pissed. Priceless.