Donald Trump news and discussions

[caltrek]

caltrek: It has been reported that former President Donald Trump said that former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan “shouldn’t” testify before the Fulton County grand jury investigating alleged 2020 election subversion efforts. Have any legal experts publicly offered opinions as to whether or not this constitutes witness tampering?
...
AskBing: Yes, some legal experts have publicly offered their opinions on whether former President Donald Trump’s statement that former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan “shouldn’t” testify before the Fulton County grand jury investigating alleged 2020 election subversion efforts constitutes witness tampering. For example, George Conway, a noted attorney who has successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, responded to Trump’s post by writing: "This morning’s first attempt at witness intimidation"1. Professor of law and political scientist Anthony Michael Kreis called Trump’s targeting of Duncan “exceptionally bad even for Donald Trump” and said: “Add witness tampering to the potential predicate acts for a Georgia RICO charge. O.C.G.A. § 16-10-93. This is blatantly unlawful stuff”1. Former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade, a professor of law and well-known MSNBC legal analyst, also posted a screenshot of Trump’s attack on Duncan, calling it: “Witness tampering in real time”1. It is important to note that these are the opinions of legal experts and not official determinations by a court of law. Is there anything else you would like to know?

Ask Bing's citation: 1. https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement. ... eal-time/

caltrek's comment: I am not sure it makes a difference, but it may also be important to note that Trump's comments come regarding the Fulton County case. This is a different case than the one brought by the federal special prosecutor and that is being tried in Washington D.C. In that second case, Trump has been formally warned in court not to tamper with witnesses relating to that upcoming trial. As far as I know, no such in courtroom warnings have been issued in the Fulton County case. Of course, it may be that no such warnings need be issued for him to still be charged with that offense, or at least have those comments referred to as part of a broader charge or set of charges.

It would not at all be surprising to me if he finally does cross the line and openly defies a judge on that issue in one or more of these cases. Something to watch out for as these courtroom dramas proceed.

[wjfox]

[raklian]

With the posts he made over the weekend, it is almost a guarantee.

[caltrek]

This headline is somewhat misleading. Trump has not yet been indicted. There are indications that "Georgia state prosecutors are set to bring charges." That is different than actually having brought charges. In some ways a trivial distinction, but IMHO one that is important enough that it should still be made.

Update: MSNBC is reporting that the Fulton County Grand Jury is now in the process of voting on whether to prosecute Trump et. al. So, we may be getting media reports very soon on the results of that voting. We may also thus get a better description of the nature of the actual charges.

[caltrek]

I will believe it when I see it.

Still, it is almost as if Trump wants to serve some time. He certainly seems to push the envelope well beyond what most people, even criminal types, would deem to be prudent.

[raklian]

I will believe it when I see it.

Still, it is almost as if Trump wants to serve some time. He certainly seems to push the envelope well beyond what most people, even criminal types, would deem to be prudent.

There's a chance he might get what he wants but it won't have the effect he expected. The top Republicans are already making overtures to abandon him as he's becoming a political liability. They know there is no way to win the 2024 election with at least 4 indictments.

[weatheriscool]

[weatheriscool]

[weatheriscool]

Willis has given every indictee until noon Friday
To voluntarily surrender for arraignment.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?529926-1/ ... indictment

[raklian]

Willis has given every indictee until noon Friday
To voluntarily surrender for arraignment.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?529926-1/ ... indictment

Or else local law enforcement, in coordination with Georgia, will be knocking on their doors or arresting them on the spot when found.

No question Trump will voluntarily surrender and he will get a mugshot taken.

[wjfox]

[wjfox]

Trump's 4 criminal cases, ranked in order of how screwed he is

Aug 15, 2023, 8:41 AM BST

[...]

The new indictment from Fulton County DA Fani Willis' office is Trump's greatest legal threat yet.

The most significant charge against the former president — under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Because the case is so complicated and includes 19 defendants, it's very likely that it will be the last case among the four to go to trial.

And if Trump is convicted, a judge can take his entire judicial history into account during sentencing, Ronald Carlson, a professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, said.

Moreover, Georgia is one of the few states where the governor doesn't have any pardon power. Trump would have to apply for a pardon to an independent board. And he wouldn't be allowed to do that until he's already served five years in prison, Carlson said.

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-c ... ?r=US&IR=T

[weatheriscool]

If Trump avoids Prison after all this I'll be amazed and complexed. The guy may indeed be be god at that point.

[firestar464]

He'll get past hush money but no way he gets past the other three

He's probably gonna get indicted simply because of the law of large numbers

[weatheriscool]

[wjfox]

[weatheriscool]

[raklian]

For an extremely complex case, it is surprisingly early.

[weatheriscool]

[wjfox]

Texas woman arrested after threats to Trump judge Tanya Chutkan

1 hour ago

A Texas woman has been charged with threatening to kill a judge who is overseeing a criminal case against former US President Donald Trump.

Abigail Jo Shry, 43, allegedly phoned the court in Washington DC on 5 August and used a racial slur in her message for US District Judge Tanya Chutkan.

Ms Shry also allegedly threatened to kill a Democratic member of Congress.

She admitted making the call after investigators traced her phone number, according to a court document.

In the call, Ms Shry allegedly told the judge, who is overseeing an election conspiracy case against Mr Trump: "You are in our sights, we want to kill you."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66529579