If #Trump’s “radical claim were accepted, it would upend understandings about presidential #accountability that have prevailed throughout history while undermining #democracy & the rule of #law — particularly where, as here, a fmr president is alleged to have committed #crimes to remain in office despite losing an #election, thereby seeking to subvert constitutional procedures for transferring power & to disenfranchise millions of voters.”
US District Judge #AileenCannon’s ultimatum Mon night came as a surprise twist in what could have been a simple order; one merely asking federal prosecutors & Trump’s lawyers for proposed #JuryInstructions at the upcoming #trial.
But as she has done repeatedly, #Cannon used this otherwise innocuous #legal step as yet another way to swing the case wildly in favor of the man who appointed her while he was president.
“#Trump attends critical hearing: Trump is in court as the federal judge presiding over the classified #documents case against him and his two co-defendants is hearing arguments this morning on motions focused on dismissing the charges brought by special counsel #JackSmith.” #legal
Trump argues that as a fmr president he has #immunity, & that the case is politically motivated, while #SpecialCounsel#JackSmith …has some choice language for those claims: “woefully short of the requirements … no evidence whatsoever … frivolous … so lacking in merit … no support in constitutional text, separation of powers principles, history, or logic.”
#JackSmith’s team is due to face off w/ #Trump’s lawyers on Thurs in Judge #AileenCannon’s #Florida courtroom over 2 of Trump’s dismissal motions. Expect, at a minimum, several days of hearings before the #trial, giving more opportunity to see how Cannon, a relatively new & inexperienced judge, is handling this high-profile matter.
Says Trump's claim to possess DOE security clearance after leaving office is incorrect.
Prosecutors got lots of warrants on Walt Nauta..say Nauta brought Trump boxes to review, but Trump cut off review after lking at 15 boxes & ordered only those shipped to NARA, even though there were another 70-80 left in storage #legal
Aside from hour improper this is and the likelihood that it'll work, if the appointment thing works, then Hunter Biden's far better appointment claim gets fast-tracked.
Hugo Lowell:
New: Judge #Cannon in #Trump classified #documents case accepts two amicus briefs filed by Trump-adjacent lawyers that “may be of considerable help” re Trump motions to dismiss — ominous for Special Counsel. 1st says NARA referral flawed and 2nd says #JackSmith improperly appointed. #legal
Update from Ft. Pierce: Judge #Cannon did not set a trial date for the classified documents case during the morning session of the scheduling conference.
But she told prosecutors for the special counsel that their proposed July trial date is “unrealistic.”
SCOTUS accelerated President Nixon's resignation with its decision in US. v. Nixon - which it took on direct appeal from the district court.
SCOTUS is delaying President Trump's trial after rejecting Jack Smith's certiorari petition directly from the district court, requiring an appellate decision, sitting on the stay for 2 weeks and then deciding to hear the case in 2 months.
Supreme Court to weigh #Trump immunity, keeps D.C. trial on hold— Bloomberg #SCOTUS
“Supreme Court to decide Trump’s immunity claim in election interference case
“Even if the justices ultimately rule against Trump, the court’s intervention adds a further delay, meaning his trial will not start for weeks, if not months.
Trump’s brief will be due by March 19. Special counsel #JackSmith’s brief is due by April 8. Any reply brief from Trump will be due by April 15. #legal
Judge #Cannon's ruling is correct & obvious & avoids her getting reversed for 3rd time by the 11th Cir. Predict she will also reverse herself on full disclosure of witness names/statements (for same reason). Many more motions for her to decide...
JUST IN: #JackSmith cites the Hur Report to argue that #Trump's handling of classified #documents was significantly more aggravated/willful than Joe Biden's.
It’s now been a full 8 days since #Trump responded to #SpecialCounsel#JackSmith’s response to Chief Justice Roberts’ request for a response (jeezuz talk about going in circles) to Trump’s application for a stay.
Trump application for a stay 2/12
Court requests Smith’s response 2/13
Smith delivers response 2/14
Trump replies to Smith’s response 2/15
🤦🏻♀️ #Trump’s lawyers have filed several motions to dismiss the classified #documents case in #Florida, citing, among other things, presidential immunity and arguing special counsel #JackSmith was unlawfully appointed. #legal
#Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who resisted intense pressure from #Trump to overturn the 2020 election results in his state, revealed Tuesday that he has been interviewed by special counsel #JackSmith’s office.
Totally disqualifying for her. Think of all the time #Jan6Committee, #Muller, #JackSmith, etc, has invested. The $$$ spent on lawyers and investigations. And FINALLY, the accountability that’s finally being brought for all the people who demand it. And she’s promising to just wipe this all away!!!! Regardless of what she says she’ll do as President, she’s still whimpering for #DonTheCon’s approval. #DISQUALIFICATION#USAwithoutGOP
BREAKING: #JackSmith has filed his opposition to trump's application for a stay with #SCOTUS over the immunity issue. As predicted, DoJ says trump FAILS to meet the standards for issuing a stay, nor can he overcome the public's interest in a speedy resolution. #legal#TrumpIndictment 1/...
During the Super Bowl, DOJ filed a motion in Mar-a-Lago case requesting permission to reply to defs' reply to support their motion to compel discovery. DOJ alleges procedural error: defs improperly raised a new claim that discovery is warranted based on selective prosecution #TrumpIndictment#legal#documents#Trump
This story totally misconstrues what’s going on in Trump’s classified documents case. Judge Cannon did not order the release of classified witness IDs to Trump. She ruled that witness IDs Trump already had could be made public. then she paused that ruling pending more briefing.
The New Republic:
#JackSmith does not want to give Trump certain classified information. Now, Judge Cannon says he must. This would give Trump an opportunity to seek even more information.
Trump says people didn’t see the classified documents he had his in possession because they were locked up and he had secret service because he was ‘president all the time’
Special counsel’s office is pleading with Judge #Cannon to reverse to recent unsealing decisions they say would identify two dozen witnesses an expose them to threats.
They say Cannon’s rulings were “clear error” — defying 11th circuit precedent — and would cause ‘manifest injustice’
After #Trump moved to extend pre-trial deadlines in the classified #documents case, #JackSmith files a scathing response.
The defendants “will stop at nothing to stall the adjudication of the charges against them by a fair and impartial jury of citizens,” the special counsel writes. #legal#TrumpIndictment