Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[s_bushido]

I have no idea who said what, or why Trump was saying that he was getting arrested yesterday. .

He probably heard that something was coming down the pipeline, and simply couldn't help himself... It got him attention, put his name back in the headlines, and gave him a fundraising opportunity. Win-win for the narcissist conman.

[Breccia]

I cannot know what motivated Trump, but I will observe that his "THEY ARE COMING TO GET ME" narrative successfully drew a lot of mass media coverage away from last Friday's finding (mentioned upthread) by retiring Judge Howard that another Trump lawyer is losing attorney-client protections because he conspired to commit crimes with Trump.

Indeed, I posted on the topic but it didn't get the media draw. I don't know if Trump smokescreened that on purpose, they were a few days apart, but it could have been intentional and it could have worked.

Well as long as Trump doesn't bring it up, it m--

Prosecutors only attack lawyers when they have no case whatsoever.

These leaks are happening because there is no factual or legal basis or substance to any case against Trump
-- Trump via spokesperson yesterday

Nevermind.

Now @Shadowferal already noted that Corcoran is in the vice and it's twisting closed. Corcoran has hours to turn things over. Surfing various sources, it seems like the DOJ was given until 6AM to explain why, and the DOJ wrote a 6,000 word novella on the topic. So let that be a lesson next time you forget your assignment is due on time, Adrian.

(Your name's probably not Adrian but imagine how surprised you'd be if it was)

The DOJ response could easily be "Judge Howell saw there was proof and showed us" hundreds and hundreds of times, honestly. Judges don't break confidentiality on whim, even retiring ones who could be sued, disbarred and/or jailed for that shit.

The rush is still the “completely unheard of" part. A 3-judge panel is deciding if it gets slowed at all. It can't be about deleting the messages because the DOJ already has them. Or the rest of the evidence, which again, the FBI has taken from Mar-a-Lago. But it can be about, for example, Corcoran deciding he's committed a felony in front of 7 billion people on live TV and running. Or, potentially, the need to search other Trump properties before more stolen documents Trump's not allowed to have and has claimed he doesn't have are moved elsewhere or destroyed. I would bet good money that the FBI has people watching choice Trump properties for suspicious activity. Trump has not been forthcoming, even with his own lawyer, when dealing with law enforcement. And the term for that is "obstruction of justice".

Or!

It could be the rush is because of an upcoming indictment. Two things we've mentioned before are at play. One, the DOJ could be intentionally going after known criminal Trump when he's distracted and can't fight back. Two, it could be an order of operations thing, where whoever slaps the cuffs on Trump first gets to drag him to jail. Maybe the FBI knows their charges are far stronger than NY's and want Trump locked up for years, not a few months or fined.

What we also know, is that the 3-judge panel has asked Team Trump to name the items they think are privileged and they think shouldn't be turned over. This has got to have them flustered and panicking. "In which text exchange did we admit a felony?" they're asking themselves, because telling the judges "all of it" is going to be met with "no, you don't get blanket privilege, DOJ fire at will". The fact alone that the 3-judge panel is asking Trump to put up or shut up cannot be good news for Trump.

Corcoran is not the only lawyer involved, just the one currently in the crosshairs. Look for Bobb and Little to show up later, but for now, Corcoran knows for a fact he told the feds they gave back everything, and the feds know for a fact that's flat out false. Corcoran should already know he's in serious trouble, but if he and Trump discussed the topic at all, then that leaves only two options:
1) Trump lied to Corcoran, which matches recent stories thanks @Zaydin and others, and the DOJ/judges now have to decide what it means when Trump gets someone to lie to the feds by proxy when they have proof that's what happened. If that's the case, Corcoran would reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally want the DOJ to see that he was tricked so he doesn't go to jail, and might consider tanking his job/breaking privilege just to save himself.
2) Trump and Corcoran conspired to lie to the feds, privilege is scrapped, and there is objective evidence of conspiracy to obstruct justice. Trump dies in prison.

- - - Updated - - -

1. He's paranoid and delusional and thought it was true.

I mean, Trump could have been told by someone in a place to know. It would not surprise me at all if he had some hand-me-down snitches from Giuliani. It might not be about paranoia...this time.

- - - Updated - - -

Seems to have indeed sizzled out tho

The thing that sizzled out was Trump saying something specific that was false. There has been no changes in the NY case, it is still ongoing, and the grand jury's recommendations are still in play.

[fwc577]

I’m vaguely following this story. I have no idea who said what, or why Trump was saying that he was getting arrested yesterday.

Seems to have indeed sizzled out tho… for the time being, I guess.

My guess? He was told to expect and indictment and it could be as early as Tuesday. So he ran with "Tuesday I'm getting arrested MAGA" or some bullshti.

It isn't happening today either. The grand jury deciding on the indictment isn't meeting today.

If it does happen, I suspect it's Friday and an arraignment early next week (Monday or Tuesday).

GET READY YA'LL F5 FRIDAY IS BACK ON THE MENU!

[Benggaul]

I’m vaguely following this story. I have no idea who said what, or why Trump was saying that he was getting arrested yesterday.

And you didn't think informing yourself by doing some basic reading before making a stupid comment in a discussion about it would be the way to go?

[Breccia]

It isn't happening today either. The grand jury deciding on the indictment isn't meeting today.

As multiple sources have said, they were supposed to meet today, but it was canceled, and they're on standby for tomorrow. While I don't know why, if the answer is "because there were threats on their lives" that's not going to be something that helps Trump's case. If you're on the fence between guilty and not guilty, "he's trying to have me killed" will probably push you into the guilty verdict part of the room.

- - - Updated - - -

I placed loyalty to the cause over loyalty to me. I had no desire to be flattered

-- DeSantis, in his new book

He also told Piers Morgan

You really want to look to people like our founding fathers...it's not saying that you don't ever make a mistake in your personal life. But I think: What type of character are you bringing?

The target is clearly Trump, and damn, shots you're fired!

[Edge-]

Wait, I thought Trump said he was gonna get nicked on Tuesday? It's Wednesday, what gives?

Did he lie about something?!

[draynay]

Wait, I thought Trump said he was gonna get nicked on Tuesday? It's Wednesday, what gives?

Did he lie about something?!

Giving him money worked, but don't stop, keep paying for his freedom!

[Edge-]

Giving him money worked, but don't stop, keep paying for his freedom!

"For a monthly donation of a minimum of $24 a month, but hopefully $3,300 a month, you can keep an oppressed 'billionaire' out of prison. Please, think of the oppressed 'billionaire' when reviewing your monthly finances and budgeting. Times are tight bug your help is desperately needed."

The ability of the Republican party to transfer money from the working class to a small group of elites continues to be beyond impressive.

[Edge-]

Seems most everyone is in agreement that Trump lies and is not to be trusted — I’m aware of his dealings and how shitty of a person he is.

We know he’d lie, but I’m curious as to why he did it. It’s not lack of information. Obviously, it was to benefit himself in some way. I’m starting to believe what others mentioned, and thinking it’s to make himself a victim, to boost his popularity again within his fan base (“Everyone is after me! Help me save America again!”).

That type shit…

Regardless, being snarky with me on here only alienates more people who are on your side, just not as invested. We ultimately want the same thing.

Largely, yes.

But also it makes for a great, "WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW PLEASE DONATE BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ARRESTED BY THE DEEP STATE!" emails all the easier. It's always about the grift.

The snark is more that after 7+ years of this exact behavior like...it's hard to imagine someone who's paid any attention over the 7 years not really noticing. This isn't supposed to be an insult or criticism of you, it's just kinda unexpected at this point.

[Shadowferal]

Appeals court backs DOJ, forcing Trump attorney to aid documents probe

An appeals court on Wednesday rejected attempts by former President Trump’s legal team to challenge a Friday ruling ordering his attorney Evan Corcoran to produce documents related to the probe into the potential mishandling of records at Mar-a-Lago.

A three-judge panel for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with special counsel Jack Smith and backed a lower court judge who on Friday issued a sealed ruling directing Corcoran to cooperate on several lines of inquiry he had rebuffed, citing attorney-client privilege.

The appeal by Trump’s team follows reporting from ABC News indicating that Trump may have intentionally concealed from Corcoran the existence of additional classified records held at his Florida home.

According to ABC, Howell’s ruling compelled Corcoran to testify along six lines of inquiry where Cocoran declined to answer questions in a prior appearance before a grand jury. She also compelled him to produce documents, notes, invoices and even transcripts or audio recordings related to the case, which she at one point referred to as a criminal scheme.

Trump’s team did not immediately respond to request for comment, but previously pushed back on ABC’s story, dismissing it as “illegally leaked.”

Wednesday’s decision comes from three Obama appointees. Though publicly docketed, the arguments from both Trump’s team and the Justice Department are under seal.

Any further challenge from Trump would fall before the Supreme Court.

---------------

That last bit should prove interesting.

- - - Updated - - -

And well...The source said Trump's side is unlikely to appeal to the Supreme Court.

We'll see...

[Breccia]

We'll see...

Trump is desperate to stall, and hope "I'm running for office!" to work. He's going to appeal.

[Edge-]

I loathe politics. I try to just keep up with what's important -- need to know basis. It became too stressful, to the point that I had so much anxiety from what has happened in the US over the last couple of years, that I started to have panic/anxiety attacks and had to put on daily anxiety meds last year, to include medical marijuana.

I dip back into the topic on small doses every now and then. I even stopped watching the news completely, and only really see what's posted on Twitter and on here... though, my time on the internet has been significantly reduced lately. Just too much shit going on in the world.

Fair enough, glad you're taking care of yourself. But basically yes, Trump is consistently dishonest, engages in consistently bad-faith, and almost everything is ultimately related to him grifting and redistributing money from regular Joe and Jane Republican voters to himself and his cronies around him. Same as he's basically done throughout his whole career.

In other news - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b2306168.html

Failed MAGA gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is urging her supporters to pray for not only her lost election, but also seemingly for Donald Trump as the former president faces possible indictment.

Ms Lake shared a video to Twitter in which she asks supporters to pray that her Arizona election loss is overturned, and for a "bigger prayer – an end to corruption, a restoration of God's glory and a restoration of our God-given rights."

I hope thoughts and prayers are as effective in "protecting" her and Trump as they are in stopping the ongoing gun violence and murder of children in schools.

[Breccia]

An appeals court on Wednesday rejected attempts by former President Trump’s legal team to challenge a Friday ruling ordering his attorney Evan Corcoran to produce documents related to the probe into the potential mishandling of records at Mar-a-Lago.

The NYTimes have a little extra.

About three weeks after Mr. Corcoran’s meeting with investigators in June, federal prosecutors issued another subpoena — this one for surveillance footage from a camera near a storage room at Mar-a-Lago. Among the subjects that Mr. Smith’s office wants Mr. Corcoran to testify about is a phone call he had with Mr. Trump around the time that the subpoena for the video footage was issued, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Prosecutors are also interested in two men who were caught in the surveillance footage moving boxes from the storage room at Mar-a-Lago, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of the men was Waltine Nauta, a former White House aide who went to work for Mr. Trump in Florida. The other was a worker at Mar-a-Lago.

It is possible that the rush is based on these people, that the DOJ has proof Trump/Corcoran told them to move boxes. I mean, the judge had strong evidence that there was communication of a crime, and it just stood up to appeal.

- - - Updated - - -

So...yeah, this Trump lawsuit is as lengthy as it is nonsense. Quoting most of it, because it's convoluted bullshit.

One of former President Donald Trump's official representatives to the National Archives -- the agency that sparked the Justice Department's probe of Trump's handling of classified documents -- has now sued the Justice Department and the National Archives, demanding access to documents that the government has said may themselves contain classified information.

At the heart of the lawsuit, filed Tuesday by pro-Trump journalist John Solomon, is what Solomon describes in court records as "a binder of documents" -- "about 10 inches thick" -- that come from the FBI's past probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Solomon once asserted that the documents would offer "big revelations" about the probe, which he's called "one of the dirtiest political tricks in American history."

As ABC News previously reported, Trump tried to make the binder's worth of documents public the night before he left office, issuing a "declassification" memo for much of the material and secretly meeting with Solomon, who was allowed to review the documents and later keep a batch of them.

Read the declassification memo here. Unlike Trump's claim of telepathy, this one he actually did seem to file on purpose. He did so, of course, because RUSSIA HOAX!

To see how serious he was, how correct he was, read on.

In closed-door testimony to Congress last year, former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson said 10 to 15 staffers working for the National Security Council had been tasked with "making copies" of the documents for Solomon and others. At the same time, Trump's then-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, also had copies of a different "previous version" of the documents, which weren't redacted the same way, she testified.

After the Justice Department expressed privacy-related concerns about them being released, Meadows returned his documents to the department -- expecting them to be reviewed and then made public. But for more than two years, none of those documents were released.

Solomon and another of Trump's representatives to the National Archives, former Trump administration official Kash Patel, have suggested that politics were at play. But in private emails with Solomon and Patel, which Solomon filed in court to support his lawsuit, National Archives general counsel Gary Stern insisted otherwise.

Stern said his agency never received the "binder" that Meadows returned to the Justice Department. The National Archives did, however, receive a box filled with 2,700 pages of documents, which, according to Solomon, were the copies made "in preparation to be released to the news media on the morning of Jan. 20."

Yeah like I hinted at before, Trump was all bullshit. We've never seen anything, and quite frankly, probably never will. Trump and his campaign had Russian connections and were helped by Russia, the investigation was proper and called for.

As Stern told Solomon in the emails, the thousands of pages of documents had "varying types of classification and declassification markings," with "no clear organization or delineation." Different copies of the same documents were "redacted differently," while "some documents did not have the required declassification markings," Stern said.

That left "uncertainty with respect to the status of classified information," which under federal law prohibited the National Archives from releasing any of the documents until what was actually declassified could be confirmed, Stern said.

In his lawsuit, however, Solomon argues that the documents are being "wrongfully withheld" from him because, he claims, they are presidential records and he is Trump's official representative -- even if it is "in his capacity as a journalist."

"This is a case about two government agencies apparently colluding to evade the Presidential Records Act," says Solomon's lawsuit, which was filed in Washington, D.C. federal court.

In their emails to the National Archives, Solomon and Patel insisted that -- at the least -- Patel should be able to access the documents because, they both said, Patel had an "active" security clearance. But Stern told Patel that his agency's "personnel security office could not find an active clearance" for Patel in its own systems or through other efforts. It's unclear from the emails whether Patel's clearance was ever confirmed.

When the FBI sought approval from a judge to raid Mar-a-Lago last summer, it noted -- among many other things -- that Patel publicly claimed Trump had already "declassified the materials at issue." Patel blasted the Justice Department for including his name in since-released court documents referencing those public comments, claiming the department was putting his safety in jeopardy.

So there's a lot of questions.

First, can you be a records-keeping historian and also a journalist at the same time?

Second, if they're Trump's property, what's a FOIA request going to do? If they're government property, the FOIA request makes more sense, but then, um, Trump doesn't get them back, and neither does Solomon and/or Patel.

Third, if they weren't declassified, as the lack of markings suggest, doesn't the FOIA request end with "they weren't declassified"?

Fourth, aren't they all evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation, no matter who owns them?

And of course, finalyth and most importantlyth, if they were such a big deal, why didn't you do something about them when you had them? Why not make a copy?

"You can't copy classified records like that."

Well if that's the excuse, he knows he's not getting them back.

This reeks of "throw everything at the wall and hope something sticks". Even if one of these defenses has merit, it's pretty much contradicted by the rest. Also, there's a decent chance that he's filing this lawsuit now, because he's trying to delay the sooncoming Mar-a-Lago prosecution.

[beanman12345]

I'm not sure they can. Lawyers have a ton of restrictions about what they can't do involving a client or potential client.

Not only can they, apparently they can lightning fast considering how slow our system is.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...nsel-rcna76186

WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith's office presented sufficient evidence to establish that former President Donald Trump committed a crime through his attorneys, a U.S. district judge ruled Friday night, a source briefed on the proceedings confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, based in Washington, D.C., wasn't ruling on whether Trump was guilty of a crime but was making a decision about whether his attorney could be compelled to testify.

As a result of the decision, Howell ruled in favor of applying the “crime fraud” exception, which would let prosecutors sidestep protections afforded to Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran through attorney-client privilege. Howell also ruled in favor of ordering Corcoran to testify before the federal grand jury. The development was first reported by ABC News.

edit - and Judge didn't rule he was guilty, because he hasn't been charged yet. How quick this was done, will be easy to get a guilty.

[Breccia]

Not only can they, apparently they can lightning fast considering how slow our system is.

To be fair, that wasn't voluntary.

[beanman12345]

To be fair, that wasn't voluntary.

Something tells me Corcoran ain't gonna be pleading the fifth, and will spill everything to not go to prison, when he testifies tho....

[Breccia]

Something tells me Corcoran ain't gonna be pleading the fifth, and will spill everything to not go to prison, when he testifies tho....

He's in a bad position, no doubt. He's the one that told the feds there was nothing left. That's objective evidence against him, and taking the 5th won't help. Being ordered to break privilege might help him not go to jail, but admitting he did a crime for his client even accidentally isn't going to be good for his career or license.

Yeah, he's been caught with a dead body and a shovel in the woods. He has two choices, "I didn't kill him but I can prove someone else did" or "alright, you got me".

[beanman12345]

but admitting he did a crime for his client even accidentally isn't going to be good for his career or license.

I think that bed was pretty good and shat on the moment he became trump's lawyer lol.

[Edge-]

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/u...e=articleShare

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida this week clarified his description of the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a “territorial dispute” and said that Vladimir V. Putin, the Russian president, was a “war criminal” who should be “held accountable.”

Mr. DeSantis, a Republican who is expected to announce a presidential campaign in the coming months, made his latest comments in an interview with the British broadcaster Piers Morgan, who shared them with The New York Post and Fox News, both owned by Rupert Murdoch.

Last week, Mr. DeSantis made one of the most significant statements of the 2024 presidential campaign to date, to the influential Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has criticized the Biden administration’s approach to Ukraine. “While the U.S. has many vital national interests,” Mr. DeSantis said in his statement, “becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them.”

Mr. DeSantis did not mention Mr. Putin then and criticized President Biden’s policy as a “blank check” to Ukraine with no clear objectives, one that distracts from U.S. problems.

The line about a “territorial dispute” was heavily criticized by foreign policy hawks, as well as Republicans in Congress and, privately, some Republican donors. It also put Mr. DeSantis’s views more in line with those of former President Donald J. Trump.

It's funny because this is like, exactly the kind of thing that kept happening to Trump like when he failed to say, "Nazi's bad" and said "Both sides bad" and got shit for two days until he cleaned up his language.

Guess Ron is going to learn the hard way that leaving your little safe space of Florida is going to require he occasionally pretend he's an adult human being with a brain that works.

[Breccia]

What I Meant Was...

You know, the whole Trump about to be arrested thing is handing him a giant W and he's breaking it off into three L's.