Monday, April 22, 2024

What’s To Understand?

NOT Trump’s lawyer in New York. Or influence a fair jury trial. IOW, the way every defendant in a classified case wants the case to be tried. Before CIPA, that’s why so few classified cases were tried to juries. Nothing new here, IOW, just trying to threaten the prosecution with what they don’t want. And recognizing Cannon is so far over her head, she’s looking up to see bottom. I guess he’s seen the pictures. What if they held a trial protest and nobody came? I’m just guessing the crowd who travel to a field in North Carolina aren’t coming to downtown Manhattan anytime soon.
He has been hoping for something of a circus around his trial, but the reality is that only two to three dozen supporters over the last week have shown up," said Haberman, who has been covering the trial in person. "He looked very unhappy."
So his desperation is expanding? Makes sense. Also makes sense. Newt was rooting for the police. In fact... I’m really not worried about how the right-wing press covers this trial. C’mon, you gotta give me that one!
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Masterclassing

If my knife was that dull, I’d replace it (and take the old blade to a knife sharpening service). Way too much effort going into cutting celery. (And considering how much dirt hides in a celery bunch, I’d never cut up celery that way. You have to separate the stalks and rinse them.) Gott mit... who, exactly? A little louder for the folks in the back!

I wasn’t going to, but this is too good to pass up:
Hillary said the following: "His bromance with Putin - it was actually called that by the former PM of Australia who said he saw Trump with Putin and Trump was just gaga over Putin. Because Putin does what he would like to do - kill his opposition, imprison his opposition, drive journalists and others into exile, rule without any check or balance. That's what Trump really wants."
Lake responded:
Lake responded to the clip, "That's really rich coming from a woman like Hillary Clinton. How many of her friends have mysteriously died or committed suicide?" 
"Then know they can't win on their policies ... They know they can't win on that so they have to try every other measure to try to control the government. It's comical that Hillary is talking about Trump wanting to kill his opponents? I just want to say, as I'm speaking about this topic I want everyone out there to know that the brakes on my car have recently been checked and they work. I'm not suicidal. Hillary, I don't mean any harm to you, please don't send your henchmen out to me. We understand what you're about."
See how quickly that turned from a comment on Trump into a threat on the life of Lake? Truly Trumpian. Or by DEI trying to teach them to recognize people not exactly like them, are people, too.
Another masterclass. Besides, I thought he needed to be campaigning. Actually, the silly part is suggesting golf is exercise. It’s not really even a good walk. And the way Trumps does it (he drives his cart onto the greens), it’s not even a walk. Trump had better disavow her immediately, or he’s lost Texas. Sear? Brisket? What fresh hell is this? So many people knew. Because all the businesses have already left the city, donchaknow?
Bill Maher predicted last year that this trial would only rally pro-Trump voters and help him secure the presidency. “I think this is a colossal mistake if they bring these charges,” the pundit argued. “I mean, yes, [Trump’s] done a lot of bad things, and I'm sure he did this—everything they accused him of [doing], he did. But first of all, it’s not gonna work. It’s gonna be rocket fuel for his 2024 campaign.”
It’s certainly drawing people to the courthouse.
Yet last week felt like the opposite of “rocket fuel.” If anything, what we saw was a grumpy 77-year-old man who was exhausted from hours of sitting on a hard chair in a cold room, falling asleep to potential jurors talking about their (oft-negative) feelings about him. Before the trial started, Trump’s campaign sent out a fundraising email promising that it was “72 hours until all hell breaks loose.” But there was no hell to speak of. Trump supporters didn’t storm the courthouse like they did the Capitol back in January 2021. In fact, the only turnout Trump got was a smattering of his usual toadies, including Andrew Giuliani. We don’t know what the next four days of Trump’s trial will hold. But if he and his supporters are already feeling depleted, imagine how they’ll feel in June.
Well, with all those businesses leaving the city… Of course.
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Free Bird

A man set himself on fire outside that building last week. I think NYPD can make its own deployment decisions. Trump is free to campaign this afternoon. Hope springs eternal. As opposed to an indirect violation. (Sorry, but that one’s been hanging out there all day. A “direct” violation would actually be one in the presence of the court. Those are much more likely to draw the “remedy” if imprisonment.)
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The Day In Court (And Out)

Tell me again Trump will not testify. Isn’t the state’s case that Trump misrepresented what that $130,000 was for?

There is apparently a break in proceedings (or early adjournment? I came in late.).  NBC is talking about the trial so far, and silently showing Trump talk to the camera, apparently live. Silenced. “Is our children learning?”
Tell me again why she isn’t on the defense team?

Trump still ranting, NBC still not covering it, but talking about what Trump is talking about. Not exactly a FoxNews moment.
SO SAY WE ALL! "Anything you say can and will…” In cross-examination? In a week or two? And the jury will decide who’s credible, and who isn’t. Does he understand what trials are for? No, apparently he doesn’t know. And the walls come tumbling down. As NBC pointed out, Trump campaign on weekends and Wednesdays.  This trial date wasn’t a surprise. I think he did that.
He argued that Trump paid Cohen a total of $420,000, not just $130,000 that was paid to Stormy Daniels. He then said this shows that Trump was paying Cohen for legal services and not reimbursing his hush money payment.
That depends entirely on how it was recorded. Doesn’t the prosecution have the books? I know the judge told the jury that nothing the lawyers say is evidence. So, who’s putting on this evidence?
Blanche then told the jury, "There's nothing wrong with trying to influence the election. It's called democracy." He said that what Stormy Daniels did was "extortion," and that there was "nothing illegal about a non-disclosure agreement." He said that there were all kinds of "salacious allegations" being made about Trump at the time and he was just trying to protect "his brand" and his family.
And his chances for election?
He then noted that Cohen talks constantly about Trump and how he wants to see him go to prison, and told the jury that just last night Cohen said that Trump is a "despicable human being" and he was hoping to see him "in an orange jumpsuit" someday. He then tried to argue that Cohen perjured himself twice in Trump's civil fraud trial, which drew an objection from the prosecutor. The objection was sustained and the judge instructed the jury to disregard the statement.
Oddly enough, Trump lied in that trial, too. Which I’m sure came out in the Sandoval hearing.

Blanche also said Trump relied on advice of his attorneys, so he can’t be at fault. There are serious problems there. One: Trump hasn’t waived attorney-client privilege, which means he can’t raise that defense. . Two: Trump alone can present evidence on that defense.

Tell me one more time Trump won’t testify. The minute he says something about it, he’s waived the privilege. If he doesn’t testify, he can’t raise the defense. (Who else will? His lawyer? Not unless Trump waives the privilege.)

There are other problems with Blanche’s statement, not just who will testify to support his claims:
"Just based on what I'm hearing here, I am fearful that Todd Blanche may be sort of overselling his hand, going back to the psychology, and I think we've all made this point here that you want to create a rapport with the juror, and you want them to like you," Polisi said. 
"The worst thing you can do is over-promise and under-deliver. It sounds like Blanche is over-promising here. There's a lot of reasons why him stating that Trump knew nothing about these payments or the purpose thereof is just flatly proven wrong by the documents." 
There's also a recording of a phone call where Trump and Cohen are discussing the payments to Daniels to ensure her silence about an extramarital affair, prosecutors have said. 
"There's a phone call of Trump saying, 'Let's pay her in cash,' Cohen saying, 'No, we're going to do it my way," Polisi said. 
"Also, the way retainer agreements work with an attorney is that, yes, there is sort of an evergreen standard payment, in this case it was $35,000 a month or whatever to get up to that amount, but then the lawyer bills you or invoices you for services rendered, and here there is nothing. 
"Michael Cohen did not — we all sort of live and die by the billable hours. We have to say what we do, how we do it, when we do it. The invoices here simply show Michael Cohen saying, 'I'd like that check now for my retainer agreement.' He's not done any legal services. 
"I think it's not doing him any service, the defense, by trying to really state too much. They don't have to really necessarily deny knowledge, and I think they're making a mistake by doing that."
Pecker testified briefly, without getting to the details of the payments to McDougal and Daniels (probably why Trump didn’t shout about him today). The court adjourned early for Passover.
And speaking of transparency:
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Maybe We Do Need Cameras In The Courtroom

Do you think there is any truth to the claims that Trump is either: a) sedated so that he doesn't act nuts; b) being deprived of his Adderall so that he doesn't act nuts?
I think he stays up late (he usually starts tweeting after midnight) and sleeps late (White House staff says he never came down to work before 11:30). Court hours are “late” for my once working hours, but early for Trump. 

Which doesn’t mean he’s not missing his drugs…
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Trump On The Campaign Trail

And his rallies sound pretty much like this: If he’d just put the cash in escrow with the court, there wouldn’t be a hearing on the bond today. Is that a reference to inflation? Apparently lunch at McDonald’s costs $700. Because Trump can’t afford the lawyers anymore? Cat got your tongue? Or there’s a show cause hearing tomorrow. Meanwhile... The fish rots from the head.
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“THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!”

The jury is certainly watching. 

The reality TeeVee star is not ready for…reality.
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And Wondering What The News Is In This

Before walking into opening statements of the first ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president, Donald Trump stopped to hit the press with his usual talking points 
.... 
His rant in front of the courtroom was quickly shut down by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. 
“Obviously, none of that is true,” she told host Anderson Cooper, focusing on the allegations of Biden’s involvement. 
.... 
Collins said it had left viewers, “Drinking their morning coffee and wondering what he’s talking about.”
And wondering why they’re seeing this.  When they aren’t wondering what the hell is wrong with that guy.
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Preparing To Face The Day

Only one of those things was predictable. Does he train by eating $700 worth of McDonald’s for lunch? I see the jokes are already old.
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“Anything You Say Can And Will Be Used Against You In A Court Of Law”

Or in a political campaign:
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Sunday, April 21, 2024

First Rule Of Holes

Tell me you don’t know anything about Chicago in ‘68, without…well, you know the rest.

I’m also not sure the residents of NYC around Columbia actually a major electoral group.
I know, I know:”outside agitators.” But it’s a little early to declare Columbia the new Berkeley. It may have more to do with Columbia than students nationwide.

It’s not like the Yippies in ‘68 defeated Nixon, either. Or that young people elected McGovern four years later.

So like I said…
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😵

Abbie Hoffman’s gonna be there? And Mayor Daley? And anti-war protestors opposing the draft? And all of them part of organized groups? Well, “organized” in contrast to people agreeing with each other on Twitter. Or just going to Columbia.

Are they even that organized?

I’m pretty sure the Proud Boys had more of a system.
 I think they’re going to be too busy this summer looking for new schools. Oh, wait, they’re busy terrorizing Jewish students. That’s why classes will be virtual, now. Ironic. But I don’t think they’ll get it.

But I’m sure they’re very proud.
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Nothing About The Trial, However

Message received?

(It occurs to me, belatedly: maybe Trump is worried about Pekar’s testimony. He’s spent so much time claiming Cohen is the “key” witness (again, this is not a TeeVee trial. The case isn’t about one witness. Parlatore should know that, too.), this may well have blindsided him.

He’s certainly not tweeting about it.)
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💸 😵‍💫

Trump has a bigger trial team than I imagined. You know that metaphorical meter I said was spinning? It’s clouded in smoke and throwing off sparks. ⚡️ Not because Trump spent so much at McDonalds, but because he had to! Hand to God, every time I see pictures of that place, I think I’m gonna be wrong and find out that’s exactly what hell looks like. 

Well, it will be for me.
Imagine how many people he has to buy lunch for on Monday. No, I’m not kidding. Makes the mental exercise a bit more concrete. Especially when you realize lunch will be the cheapest part of the day.
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😷

She really needs to hold a press conference. It’s been 8 years since the last one. Biden should immediately fire Garland and appoint Barr Acting AG. It’s the Republican Way! ETTD. It’s because whatever he’s got, it’s contagious!😷 
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Trump Is A Manifestation, Not An Aberration

(Schools don’t get paid when student loans are forgiven, or even paid off. They got their money from the loan.)
Strong “LOCK ‘EM UP!” energy there.

The power the White House has here is the bully pulpit. And this is the correct way to use that power (not straight from Biden’s mouth, IOW). But where are the FOJ and FBI? Investigating and prosecuting federal crimes, which these are not. The responsibility here lies with Columbia and NYC and possibly the state of New York.

Biden is right to stand with the Jewish students. Much of the energy I’m seeing is misdirected and mistaken. Dr. King wasn’t a good speaker with a “dream.” He was part of an organization aimed at securing civil rights for all, by getting them for blacks; and the poor (the purpose of the Washington March which everyone forgets). This is all people running around screaming “MY FEE-FEES ARE HURT!” And being anti-Semitic about it. Or being upset that other people are being anti-Semitic. If it upsets you that much, what are YOU going to do about it?

Biden did the right thing. It should be an example to the rest of us.

That’s what TR’s bully pulpit is for. 🐂 
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Whingers

We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and the national community. Mindful of the difficulties involved, we decided to undertake a process of self purification. We began a series of workshops on nonviolence, and we repeatedly asked ourselves: "Are you able to accept blows without retaliating?" "Are you able to endure the ordeal of jail?" We decided to schedule our direct action program for the Easter season, realizing that except for Christmas, this is the main shopping period of the year. Knowing that a strong economic-withdrawal program would be the by product of direct action, we felt that this would be the best time to bring pressure to bear on the merchants for the needed change.
Letter From Birmingham Jail 

Get back to me when you’re ready to be an adult, and accept responsibility.

Nothing personal here. You can find this sentiment all over Twitter, but mostly, it seems, centered in Columbia.
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🙃

It would seem… ...he’s not posting about his trial today.

🤔
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💸💸💸💸💸

All reports on spending are for March. The first criminal trial started a week ago. The lawyers are working all weekend to prepare for next week. They will work all week every week for six weeks or so. The weeks before trial they were filing and arguing motions in two courts (Merchan and appeals).  All in April, and then into May.

The meter is spinning. And this one won’t end soon. Supreme Court arguments this week, and a hearing on his bond. If Engoron rejects it, that’s more money on lawyers without even starting an appeal brief. And Georgia, and Florida…. 

I still say Trump can’t afford the delay strategy. He can’t raise enough money fast enough to fund a Presidential campaign and fight four government cases to a standstill before November. The more he tries, the faster he uses up his resources.

💸
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Cause And Effect?

Alex, I think it is a good chance that it was strategic," he replied. "And this will be an ongoing theme we talk about this [hush money] trial. Trials cannot accommodate uncontrollable witnesses. and so a number of things we saw happen during the first few days of this trial will come up because president Trump — the former president —can open the door by making statements publicly that are not true that can go back to bite him in the courtroom." 
"So his lawyers would prefer for him to say as little as possible from now until the trial is done," he added.
I can’t agree there’s a causal connection here, although there’s a plausible explanation that Trump waited until the last minute to cancel (was he actually in the air? He wasn’t so far from NC he couldn’t have known about the forecast and canceled earlier, only to announce it “from his plane” which never left New York. If the man came in soaking wet and said it was raining, I’d step outside myself.) because his lawyers got through to him. It’s just as likely thunder scares him. Does Trump connect what he says with how he loses in court? There’s no public evidence of it. 

But is he opening doors every time he steps in front of a crowd/camera? Absolutely. Is he going to learn that lesson? Has he?

We’ll see.
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Batter Up!

Tim Parlatore told Ari Melber the SDNY dropped this case because Michael Cohen was a convicted liar, and that meant there wasn’t a case to prosecute. You get the idea.  The DA has already told Trump there won’t be time for cross-examination tomorrow. Then there’s the show cause hearing on Tuesday, and more testimony after, if there’s time. Wednesday off, and maybe real cross on Thursday.

Gonna be a long week for Donnie.
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Feature, Not Bug

The report also notes that insiders worry just as much that the trial itself, regardless of the verdict, will hurt him with voters. 
As the NYT's Haberman explained, "... the shared sense among many of his advisers is that the process may damage him as much as a guilty verdict. The process, they believe, is its own punishment."
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Ignorance Thrives In The Dark…And In The Light

What is a “Motion to Show Cause”? A “Motion in Limine”? A Sandoval hearing?

Unless you are a litigator in New York, specifically a criminal defense lawyer or prosecutor, you can’t answer all three of those questions. Specifically a litigator. Michael Cohen was never a trial lawyer, but he recently complained about the judge possibly imposing a $1000 fine per count of contempt on Trump. Far too low a figure, Cohen complained, and he criticized the judge for not understanding that. Turns out it’s the statutory licit for contempt. Litigates know that; non-litigators don’t. And the general public, which includes reporters?

Aspects of any trial are already opaque, and even journalists who are lawyers don’t enlighten every corner. I’ve seen former prosecutors on cable and Twitter spout absolute nonsense (don’t get me started on the law professors). The smart ones are calm and circumspect, knowing the complexities of any situation, and the lack of knowledge they have about the particularities. The rest are braying asses anxious to be called back, or just blinkered by their own biases. 

I caught Tim Parlatore on Ari Melber’s show trying to explain why Bragg doesn’t have a case because Michael Cohen is a witness and the defense will flay him for his lies, so game over. It was such a weak argument I couldn’t believe someone would be that stupid. And then I found out it was Parlatore speaking, and all became clear.

The Politico argument does report that much if the obscure nature off proceedings is due to Trump’s lawyers filing so many motions, Merchan had to staunch the flow of them. The opaqueness, IOW, on that point is because a judge is trying to control his docket and swat away the storm of flies the Lord of the Flies is stirring up.

Politico also complains that the New York court dockets are not on-line. emptywheel frequently tweets about the Florida docket. She usually reproduces the days docket entries as they appear. And I can’t make heads or tails of them. Knowing she’s not a lawyer, I don’t often try to. During jury selection, one former DOJ prosecutor talked about his experience picking juries in Federal court in the Eastern district of Virginia, where he said it usually took 40 minutes because the judge asked all the questions. All last week “experts” railed against Merchan’s procedure. When the jury was selected by Friday, he won universal acclaim. Was the press transparent about how many idiots they platformed in a week?

Similarly, for two years now we’ve heard, nonstop, about Trump’s assault on the foundations of the law and the legal system. Now that he’s actually in a criminal trial, and done nothing more than sit through jury selection, all the talk is about how he’s “met his match” and is “defeated” and even, will he survive this trial?

Transparency? I’m more interested in reporters being transparent about how much of courtroom procedures they don’t understand; and apparently never will.
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Saturday, April 20, 2024

#DonSnorleone

“There is the legal part. This is a textbook case of falsifying business records. There was no legal fees. They make fake retainer agreement and fake invoices. Donald trump pays the checks to Michael Cohen so they do not find out Donald Trump had an affair, allegedly, right before the election when the Access Hollywood tape had blown up." 
He continued: 
"There is something I think is worse for Trump and that is falling asleep in the courtroom. You don't have to understand law or any kind of nuance. The guy is 77 and he is falling asleep three times in one week. What happens? Jon Stewart has made fun of it. Jimmy Kimmel has made fun of it. Stephen Colbert is making fun of it, He has been the punchline of that." 
He also noted that "the average person might not get the legal issues." 
"They might not get the politics but they know a 77-year-old man does not have the stamina to stay awake when he is charged with 34 felonies," he added. "How can he be president? That is the most damaging thing."
When Marlon Brando starts nodding off in the garden, the audience knows he’s a spent force, and that the end is near.

Of course, Don Corleone was never convicted of a felony; or put on probation.  Just because Trump isn’t remanded to the tender mercies of Riker Island doesn’t mean he’s a free man.

But falling asleep is as good as a death sentence. Especially for an elderly Presidential candidate running on the fact his opponent is too old.
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“The death scream of four hundred Vulcan minds crying out over the distance between us”

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😅 Event planning! 😂😂😂 SAD! 😇
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Freak Flags Flying

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) also addressed the flags, saying there's only one flag that should be waved on the House floor. The implication, of course, is it is the American flag.
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Sad Trombone

After stating she is not ready to proceed with ousting the GOP House speaker, she added, " I do not support Mike Johnson, he's already a lame duck."
She didn’t have the votes to block Ukraine funding (or any other funding of the government which Congress is basically obligated to do), and she doesn’t have the votes to oust Johnson.

Despite the support of Massie and Gosar and the screaming of Gaetz. Or maybe she’s heard two more Republicans will resign immediately if she tries… 🤔 

Now is the time for pointing and laughing. 😂
Always give Rep. Crockett the last word.
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Which Comes First? The Arrest, Or The Testimony? 🥚 🐓

"I was actually just thinking this morning about how cold [Trump] kept complaining to be yesterday. In his normal world, someone would have jumped up and run, not walked, to get the temperature perfect for him,” says Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s former White House press secretary who fell out with him years ago. “This entire experience must be beyond uncomfortable for him, not just the fact that it dives into such personal details, but he has absolutely no control for probably the first time since he was a young child.” 
Grisham adds that Trump being on trial this week “reminded me that not only in the White House, but every facet of his life — be it at Mar-a-Lago or Trump Tower or Bedminster — he has a group of people that cater to his every whim. At Mar-a-Lago, people literally stand and applaud him just for walking into the room, and in court, he has to sit there quietly while some people talk about how much they don’t like him. I can’t imagine how hard it has been for him not to get up and storm out of the place like a five-year-old.” 
He’ll have plenty more chances to do just that, as opening arguments don’t even begin until Monday. Judge Merchan warned Trump this week, however, that if he misbehaves or skips out on the proceedings, he’ll be subject to arrest. Trump said he understands.
The chicken 🐓? Or the egg 🥚?
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He’s Going To Do It For These People

Take it to the bank. 🏦 Granted, these people are just fucking nuts. 
IF THEY TAKE AWAY MY PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY, THEY TAKE AWAY CROOKED JOE BIDEN’S PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY," Trump wrote in the first post on the subject Saturday. 
He then claimed that, "WITHOUT PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR A PRESIDENT TO PROPERLY FUNCTION, PUTTING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN GREAT AND EVERLASTING DANGER!" 
"REMEMBER, if I don’t have Presidential Immunity, then Crooked Joe Biden doesn’t have it either, and he would certainly be Prosecuted for his many ACTUAL CRIMES, including illegally receiving massive amounts of money from Foreign Countries, including China, Ukraine, and Russia, paying off Ukraine to fire an unfriendly prosecutor, allowing millions of people to illegally Enter and Destroy our Country, SURRENDERING in Afghanistan, with Hundreds Dead, many Americans Left Behind, and handing over Billions of Dollars Worth of the Best Military Equipment anywhere on Earth, the Decimation of American Wealth through the Green New Scam, and so much more," he wrote. "REMEMBER, Crooked Joe Biden and his CORRUPT JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, D.A.’s and A.G.’s, has attacked his Political Opponent at a level never seen before in this Country, and wants desperately to PUT 'TRUMP' IN PRISON. He is playing a very dangerous game, and the great people of America WILL NOT STAND FOR IT. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!" 
Trump goes on to say that "a President has to be free to determine what is right for our Country without undue pressure."
Laws are for little people.
"If there is no Immunity, the Presidency, as we know it, will 'no longer exist,'" he claimed. "Many actions for the benefit of our Country will not be taken. This is in no way what the Founders had in mind. Legal Experts and Scholars have stated that the President must have Full Presidential Immunity. A President must be free to make proper decisions. His mind must be clear, and he must not be guided by the fear of retribution!" 
Finally, he said legal scholars "are extremely thankful for the Supreme Court’s Decision to take up Presidential Immunity." 
"Without Presidential Immunity, a President will not be able to properly function, or make decisions, in the best interest of the United States of America. Presidents will always be concerned, and even paralyzed, by the prospect of wrongful prosecution and retaliation after they leave office. This could actually lead to the extortion and blackmail of a President," he added. "The other side would say, 'If you don’t do something, just the way we want it, we are going to go after you when you leave office, or perhaps even sooner.'" 
He then hammered the point further. 
"Of course I was entitled, as President of the United States and Commander in Chief, to Immunity. I wasn’t campaigning, the Election was long over. I was looking for voter fraud, and finding it, which is my obligation to do, and otherwise running our Country," he said. "If I don’t get Immunity, then Crooked Joe Biden doesn’t get Immunity, and with the Border Invasion and Afghanistan Surrender, alone, not to mention the Millions of dollars that went into his 'pockets' with money from foreign countries, Joe would be ripe for Indictment. By weaponizing the DOJ against his Political Opponent, ME, Joe has opened a giant Pandora’s Box. As President, I was protecting our Country, and doing a great job of doing so - Just look around at the complete mess that Crooked Joe Biden has caused. The least I am entitled to is Presidential Immunity on Fake Biden Indictments!"
Notes for his new speech at the rally tonight.

Note that legally this is not only useless (the Supremes aren’t taking notes), it is damaging to Trump’s case. Sentencing can be affected by contrition, acceptance of responsibility, etc. Trump is a child throwing a tantrum, and it’s only making things worse for him (spare me “He’s undermining the legal system” fits of vapors. Have you seen the people at these rallies? Hillary was right.). I hope he gets to spew this crap in court, or outside it, where the press will ACTUALLY REPORT ON IT!

He’s on track to lose this election by June.


I'll bet Trump doesn't testify. Trump is a control freak and there is no way to control the prosecutor if he testify. He would rather just rant to the supine press.
I’d argue (respectfully) that it’s because Trump is a control freak, that he’ll testify. He’ll insist on controlling the narrative; or thinking he has. His testimony in the trial court went so badly Engoron commented on it in his final judgment. Trump tells the tale that his testimony proved his innocence. Trump’s testimony by deposition in the first Carroll case cost him nearly $90 million between the two cases, and he still insists he did nothing wrong.

He’s convinced his testimony will always win the day, and when it doesn’t, it can only be because the trial is rigged, everyone is working for Biden, and the Deep State pulls the secret levers of the world. And Trump is just the victim of an injustice which will one day stand revealed, and vindicate him.

I really think he’s disappeared that far up his own asshole.

OCICBW. It’s possible his lawyers convince him to shut up. Or the weight of the trial bears down on him the risk and gravity of his situation.

We’ll see. 😎
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“Here I Sit/Broken-Hearted/Paid For Court/And Only Farted

💨  💨  💨 

💨  💨 

I do most sincerely apologize, but when I came up with the title, I couldn’t help myself and I had to finish the post. Then the ten-year old boy in my head took over…

 💨 
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Donald Trump Will Be Outed As “Anonymous”

It’s the only explanation that makes any sense.
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“Made You Look!” 👀

I finally realized why Nunes came up with this conspiracy theory. Well you might think, but that’s not the whole story. Nunes got an epic public spanking from Citadel Securities just before he decided his company problems were all Biden’s fault.
Devin Nunes is the proverbial loser who tries to blame ‘naked short selling’ for his falling stock price,” said a spokesperson for Citadel Securities, underscoring the sharp fall of Trump Media stock since it began public trading with the DJT ticker in late March. 
“Nunes is exactly the type of person Donald Trump would have fired on [The] Apprentice,” said Citadel Securities spokesperson, referring to the former Republican president’s business competition reality TV show. 
“If he [Nunes] worked for Citadel Securities, we would fire him, as ability and integrity are at the center of everything we do,” the spokesperson added.
Well, he got that one out of the headlines, didn’t he?
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“Context Is All”

Juror 2 is an investment banker who follows Trump’s posts via Twitter. So do I. Five minutes ago I went looking for Trump’s latest court-related rant on Twitter so I could conveniently post it here.

emptywheel would call me a “data mule,” no doubt.

He says he also follows lots of critics if Trump. A) he wants to be informed. B) he thinks this information is relevant to his business.

The bare facts are, he follows Trump. “Too,” is context. Reading more than the NYT provides important context. If you don’t read all information as lacking some important context, I don’t know how to help you.
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😎

The argument here is from Weinstein’s lawyer who has an appeal pending on the application of Sandoval to Weinstein’s testimony in his criminal case. He expects that decision to be reported this week, and it could control Merchan’s application of Sandoval to Trump.

The wisdom of letting Trump testify, and what doors he’ll open for the prosecution, is a wholly separate matter.

There are things being said about him and he feels as if his hands are tied: he cannot stand the feeling," he elaborated. "And I joked about it at the beginning of the last segment. The truth is that trial is a very long, arduous and exhausting process. For someone of his age, it is a lot of stress to deal with. That is why I fully expect, regardless of what happens with Judge Juan Merchan's recent ruling this week, he is going to pop." 
"He is going to violate the gag order in grand fashion in front of the media and I think it will come sooner rather than later because it is not a position he is used to being in," he added before suggesting, "If I'm the prosecutor in this case, I'm going to sit back and let it happen."
Is it really likely Trump will confine himself to short answers to his lawyer’s questions?
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