Donald Trump in Hot Water

[Benjamin Grimm]

It's almost May. Why isn't he in jail yet???

[Willets Point]

Because "reach-across-the-aisle" Democrats don't want to do anything that might the GOP dislike them.

[whippoorwill]

Shit. I was hoping there was something new

[Double Switch]

GA and NY/NYC will move on him before the DOJ does. It's not likely a "dem" thing. Volume 2 of the Mueller report has the attack plan. Letitia James and Fani Willis will get him first (I'm betting on Willis). I await the big sedition trial, which takes a lot more FBI investigation that continues at this moment. Depending on the states' trials, he can be tried in absentia for inciting insurrection.

[Edgy MD]

I would want and even expect DOJ to be acting independently of reach-across-the-aisle anybody.

But I would expect DOJ to be slow and deliberate and cautious nonetheless.

[Lefty Specialist]

I would want and even expect DOJ to be acting independently of reach-across-the-aisle anybody.

But I would expect DOJ to be slow and deliberate and cautious nonetheless.

Trump probably will never be cited for insurrection. There's enough wiggle room in his words to give him an out. And being on tape attempting to interfere with the election in Georgia, a good lawyer can probably fudge that enough with a jury for him to get off.

Tax fraud, well, that's a lot more cut and dried. That's where they'll get him. The question is does he go to jail (real punishment) or get a fine and a suspended sentence (not punishment at all). I'm guessing it's the latter as there will be a lot of pressure to not jail a former president, no matter how big of a dirtbag he is. And by not going to jail he will declare victory, of course.

[Fman99]

Tax fraud, well, that's a lot more cut and dried. That's where they'll get him. The question is does he go to jail (real punishment) or get a fine and a suspended sentence (not punishment at all). I'm guessing it's the latter as there will be a lot of pressure to not jail a former president, no matter how big of a dirtbag he is. And by not going to jail he will declare victory, of course.

I tend to agree on both of these points. I suspect he'll be convicted of tax fraud and do no time at all. Which, like so much connected to this shitass, is a travesty.

[kcmets]

Nicole Wallace just had a slam dunk interview with Michael Cohen on MSNBC. Google it in
the coming days. Holy crap!

[MFS62]

Nicole Wallace just had a slam dunk interview with Michael Cohen on MSNBC. Google it in
the coming days. Holy crap!

Is that the one in which he called Giuliani an idiot?

Later

[Double Switch]

Nicole Wallace just had a slam dunk interview with Michael Cohen on MSNBC. Google it in
the coming days. Holy crap!

Is that the one in which he called Giuliani an idiot?

Cohen never misses a chance to call Rudy an idiot so you need to be more specific.

[Chad ochoseis]

Indictments are still sealed, but WaPo says the Trump Organization and Alan Weisselberg are going to be charged tomorrow afternoon on what sounds like tax fraud. The dominoes aren't falling yet, but a light breeze will knock them over.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics ... story.html

[Edgy MD]

Nicole Wallace just had a slam dunk interview with Michael Cohen on MSNBC. Google it in
the coming days. Holy crap!

Is that the one in which he called Giuliani an idiot?

Cohen never misses a chance to call Rudy an idiot so you need to be more specific.

But with respect to the massive amounts of foolishness that Rudolph Giuliani conveyed as a seemingly daily guest on news shows, is it really best for the case for Michael Cohen to be spouting off on television?

I'm not sure I know the answer, or how paranoid I'm being, but I'd prefer everyone who is going to be a part of the prosecution of the president to keep their powder dry. Record your testimony in a deposition in case somebody tries to kill you, and shut up until trial time.

It's not that I don't love to see his former toadies viciously flip on him as much as next guy. In fact, I think I'll go watch that video.

[batmagadanleadoff]

I'm not sure I know the answer, or how paranoid I'm being, but I'd prefer everyone who is going to be a part of the prosecution of the president to keep their powder dry. Record your testimony in a deposition in case somebody tries to kill you, and shut up until trial time.

I know what'cha mean. The other day, I saw Weisselberg's ex-daughter-in-law on TV. She's been making the TV rounds for months now. At first, I was excited to hear from her, but more and more, she's coming off like a hot air balloon -- not so articulate, with few insights and hardly anything interesting to say - and nothing to add that other more articulate speakers could say. Yesterday, in response to a question, she said she couldn't answer because to do so requires divulging confidential information (OK - makes sense, I get that) and that --get this! -- that she doesn't want to disclose confidential information because "we really wanna win this case badly!"

Talk about your neutral disinterested and unbiased witness!

[Edgy MD]

One of the guys who may or may not be facing indictment tomorrow is Matthew Calimari. Thirty years ago, he was the hatchet man who fired my dad.

I really want to win this case badly too.

[Lefty Specialist]

Allen Weisselberg surrendered to the Manhattan DA this morning in preparation for his indictment.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Letter from Biden’s Washington
The Persistent Fantasy of a Trump Knockout Punch
Will the New York case against the Trump Organization—finally—be his accountability moment?

Trump and his conspirators are experts by now at the art of the dodge. The playbook is achingly familiar: they will discredit the investigators, discredit the media, disavow the facts, invent alternative realities. There will be enemies and distractions and confusing subplots to make us forget about the damning basic facts.

[Lefty Specialist]

Letter from Biden’s Washington
The Persistent Fantasy of a Trump Knockout Punch
Will the New York case against the Trump Organization—finally—be his accountability moment?

Trump and his conspirators are experts by now at the art of the dodge. The playbook is achingly familiar: they will discredit the investigators, discredit the media, disavow the facts, invent alternative realities. There will be enemies and distractions and confusing subplots to make us forget about the damning basic facts.

This is all true. But they're not manipulating the media and the public here. They are facing prosecution in a court of law. They're going to jam up Weisselberg and then they're going to jam up his son. Allen might be willing to take one for Trump, but when you see family members facing the same fate, it might loosen your tongue a bit.

This isn't going to be a case that turns on eyewitness testimony. There are documents out the wazoo. They've got him cold; it's just a matter of if he flips. If he doesn't, Mr. Weisselberg will be spending a little time upstate as a guest of the New York State prison system.

And considering that many of the checks for the fraudulent tax-evading expenses are signed by one Donald J. Trump, and that if Weisselberg's family benefited from these things, it's not much of a stretch to think that Eric, Ivanka and Donald Jr. did the same thing.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Letter from Biden’s Washington
The Persistent Fantasy of a Trump Knockout Punch
Will the New York case against the Trump Organization—finally—be his accountability moment?

Trump and his conspirators are experts by now at the art of the dodge. The playbook is achingly familiar: they will discredit the investigators, discredit the media, disavow the facts, invent alternative realities. There will be enemies and distractions and confusing subplots to make us forget about the damning basic facts.

This is all true. But they're not manipulating the media and the public here. They are facing prosecution in a court of law. They're going to jam up Weisselberg and then they're going to jam up his son. Allen might be willing to take one for Trump, but when you see family members facing the same fate, it might loosen your tongue a bit.

This isn't going to be a case that turns on eyewitness testimony. There are documents out the wazoo. They've got him cold; it's just a matter of if he flips. If he doesn't, Mr. Weisselberg will be spending a little time upstate as a guest of the New York State prison system.

And considering that many of the checks for the fraudulent tax-evading expenses are signed by one Donald J. Trump, and that if Weisselberg's family benefited from these things, it's not much of a stretch to think that Eric, Ivanka and Donald Jr. did the same thing.

Yeah, but a jury might have the final say, not some neutral, un-biased and perfectly programmed bunch of robots. It'll take just one Trump fanatic MAGA hat wearer to sneak onto that jury to undermine all of the prosecution's work.

[Edgy MD]

A renegade juror can hang a jury, but can't get a guy off.

Beyond that, any prosecutor worth their stripes will see that coming.

President's Trump's best friend, as always, is his wealth, and the time that may buy him. I'm just now realizing that kicking the organization out from under him may be more effective than going after him directly.

[Willets Point]

"OH BOY IS THIS GREAT!!!"

[kcmets]

How in the fuck of all holy fucks does this guy continually dodge hot water?

[Willets Point]

What did he get out of this time?

[Ceetar]

I mean, republicans have been rigging the system for decades so rich white insiders don't have to face justice for roughly anything. That's how.

[kcmets]

republicans have been rigging the system for decades so rich white insiders don't have to face justice for roughly anything

Somewhere, Ted Kennedy just belched and rolled over in his grave.

[metsmarathon]

attempted covidification of a political opponent