Trump’s incendiary Texas speech may have deepened his legal troubles, experts say

[Stevicus]

Trump’s incendiary Texas speech may have deepened his legal troubles, experts say | Donald Trump | The Guardian

Donald Trump’s incendiary call at a Texas rally for his backers to ready massive protests against “radical, vicious, racist prosecutors” could constitute obstruction of justice or other crimes and backfire legally on Trump, say former federal prosecutors.

Trump’s barbed attack was seen as carping against separate federal and state investigations into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his real estate empire.

I'm not sure what will come of this, but it seems that if they give him enough rope, he'll hang himself.

Trump’s rant that his followers should launch the “biggest protests” ever in three cities should prosecutors “do anything wrong or illegal” by criminally charging him over his efforts to overturn Joe Biden’s victory, or for business tax fraud, came at a 30 January rally in Texas where he repeated falsehoods that the election was rigged.

Legal experts were astonished at Trump’s strong hints that if he runs and wins a second term in 2024, he would pardon many of those charged for attacking the Capitol on 6 January last year in hopes of thwarting Biden’s certification by Congress.
Former Nixon White House counsel John Dean attacked Trump’s talk of pardons for the rioters as the “stuff of dictators”, and stressed that “failure to confront a tyrant only encourages bad behavior”.

Taken together, veteran prosecutors say Trump’s comments seemed to reveal that the former president now feels more legal jeopardy from the three inquiries in Atlanta, Washington and New York, all of which have accelerated since the start of 2022.

Trump’s anxiety was palpable when he urged supporters at the Texas rally to stage “the biggest protests we have ever had in Washington DC, in New York, in Atlanta and elsewhere,” should any charges be brought, a plea for help that could boomerang and create more legal problems for the former president.

Dennis Aftergut, a former federal prosecutor who is of counsel to Lawyers Defending American Democracy, told the Guardian that Trump “may have shot himself in the foot” with the comments. “Criminal intent can be hard to prove, but when a potential defendant says something easily seen as intimidating or threatening to those investigating the case it becomes easier,” Aftergut said.

Aftergut added that having proclaimed “his support for the insurrectionists, Trump added evidence of his corrupt intent on January 6 should the DoJ prosecute him for aiding the seditious conspiracy, or for impeding an official proceeding of Congress”.

Likewise, a former US attorney in Georgia, Michael Moore, said Trump’s comments could “potentially intimidate witnesses and members of a grand jury”, noting that it is a felony in Georgia to deter a witness from testifying before a grand jury.

Trump “is essentially calling for vigilante justice against the justice system. He’s not interested in the pursuit of justice but blocking any investigations”, Moore added.

Trump’s angry outburst came as three investigations by prosecutors that could lead to charges against Trump or top associates all seemed to gain steam last month.

A special grand jury, for example, was approved in Atlanta focused on Trump’s call to Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger on 2 January last year, asking him to just “find” enough votes to block Joe Biden’s Georgia victory, a state Trump lost by more than 11,700 votes.

Trump’s call for huge protests prompted the Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis, who is leading the criminal inquiry, to ask the FBI to compile a threat assessment to protect her office and the grand jury that is slated to meet in May.

Last month too, a top justice official revealed that the DoJ is investigating fake elector certifications declaring Trump the winner in several states he lost, a scheme reportedly pushed by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani by which vice-president Mike Pence could block Congress from certifying Biden’s win. To Trump’s chagrin, Pence rejected the plan.

Further, the New York state attorney general last month stated in a court document that investigators had found evidence that Trump’s real-estate business used “fraudulent or misleading” asset valuations to obtain loans and tax benefits, allegations Trump and his lawyers called politically motivated.

Ex-prosecutors say that Trump’s Texas comments are dangerous and could legally boomerang, as the prosecutors appear to have new momentum.

“Our criminal laws seek to hold people accountable for their purposeful actions,” Paul Pelletier, a former acting chief of the fraud section at the DoJ, said. “Trump’s history of inciting people to violence demonstrates that his recent remarks are likely to cause a disruption of the pending investigations against him and family members.”

Pelletier added: “Should his conduct actually impede any of these investigations, federal and state obstruction statutes could easily compound Mr Trump’s criminal exposure.”

Trump’s remarks resonated especially in Georgia, where former prosecutors say he may now face new legal problems.

Aftergut noted that Willis understood the threat when she quickly asked the FBI to provide protection at the courthouse, and he predicted that the immediate effect on the deputy DAs working on the case would be “to energize them in pursuing the case”.

In a similar vein, Norm Eisen, a former diplomat and the States United Democracy Center co-chair said Trump’s call for protests in Atlanta, New York and Washington if prosecutors there charge him, “certainly sounds like a barely veiled call for violence. That’s particularly true when you combine it with his other statements at the Texas rally about how the last crowd of insurrectionists are being mistreated and did no wrong.”

In addition, congresswoman Liz Cheney, the co-chair of the House panel investigating the 6 January Capitol assault by Trump followers, has stated that Trump’s talk of pardons and encouraging new protests suggests he would “do it all again, if given the chance”.

On another legal front, Aftergut pointed out that some Trump comments at the rally might help prosecutors at the DoJ expand their inquiry. He said: “Trump handed federal prosecutors another gift when he said that Mike Pence should have ‘overturned the election’.”

Some veteran consultants say Trump’s latest attacks on prosecutors shows he is growing more nervous as investigations appear to be getting hotter.

“Trump’s prosecutor attacks are wearing thin with the broad Republican electorate,” said Arizona Republican consultant Chuck Coughlin. “He’s trying to whip up the base for his personal gain. This is another iteration of Trump’s attacks on the government.”

From a broader perspective, Moore stressed that Trump’s multiple attacks on the legal system at the Texas rally represent “just another erosion of the norms of a civilized society by Trump. The truth has taken a back seat to Trumpism.”

Some see Trump's attacks as an indication that he might be getting desperate. In any case, it appears unlikely that any possible threat of massive protests in any of the cities named would deter or intimidate prosecutors.

Does anyone have any thoughts on where this whole legal situation might lead? Part of me is wondering why they haven't put Trump on trial already. How much more investigating do they need to do, realistically? People have been investigating Trump since before he was president. He was impeached twice, but they couldn't remove him.

And now, they're building up a case against him in multiple states, but will we actually see Trump actually standing trial at any time in the foreseeable future?

Could Trump end up fleeing the country and go into exile?

Or, another possibility, is that Trump could find refuge from a friendly state government which would vow to protect Trump at all costs. The US government would be forced to use the military to actually arrest Trump, if it went that far.

On the other hand, he could just stand trial and face the music, although I could imagine such a trial turning into a fiasco. Whichever judge is picked to preside over what is certain to be a circus would be under a great deal of pressure. Maybe they'd be willing to give him a softer sentence, perhaps six months in a country-club style prison, if he pleads guilty.

Thoughts?

 

[Sand Dancer]

Maybe he could flee the planet.

 

[Revoltingest]

Thoughts?

I don't see him ever in prison.
If the unlikely happened, & he were convicted
& sentenced, Biden would pardon him.

 

[Audie]

Trump’s incendiary Texas speech may have deepened his legal troubles, experts say | Donald Trump | The Guardian



I'm not sure what will come of this, but it seems that if they give him enough rope, he'll hang himself.







Some see Trump's attacks as an indication that he might be getting desperate. In any case, it appears unlikely that any possible threat of massive protests in any of the cities named would deter or intimidate prosecutors.

Does anyone have any thoughts on where this whole legal situation might lead? Part of me is wondering why they haven't put Trump on trial already. How much more investigating do they need to do, realistically? People have been investigating Trump since before he was president. He was impeached twice, but they couldn't remove him.

And now, they're building up a case against him in multiple states, but will we actually see Trump actually standing trial at any time in the foreseeable future?

Could Trump end up fleeing the country and go into exile?

Or, another possibility, is that Trump could find refuge from a friendly state government which would vow to protect Trump at all costs. The US government would be forced to use the military to actually arrest Trump, if it went that far.

On the other hand, he could just stand trial and face the music, although I could imagine such a trial turning into a fiasco. Whichever judge is picked to preside over what is certain to be a circus would be under a great deal of pressure. Maybe they'd be willing to give him a softer sentence, perhaps six months in a country-club style prison, if he pleads guilty.

Thoughts?

Send him here.

 

[Stevicus]

I don't see him ever in prison.
If the unlikely happened, & he were convicted
& sentenced, Biden would pardon him.

Why would Biden pardon him? They might just give him a light sentence.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Trump is immune. He's a past president.

Plus he's not going to flee the country. Lol

 

[Secret Chief]

Maybe he could flee the planet.

No other planet would take him.

 

[Ponder This]

Trump’s incendiary Texas speech may have deepened his legal troubles, experts say | Donald Trump | The Guardian



I'm not sure what will come of this, but it seems that if they give him enough rope, he'll hang himself.







Some see Trump's attacks as an indication that he might be getting desperate. In any case, it appears unlikely that any possible threat of massive protests in any of the cities named would deter or intimidate prosecutors.

Does anyone have any thoughts on where this whole legal situation might lead? Part of me is wondering why they haven't put Trump on trial already. How much more investigating do they need to do, realistically? People have been investigating Trump since before he was president. He was impeached twice, but they couldn't remove him.

And now, they're building up a case against him in multiple states, but will we actually see Trump actually standing trial at any time in the foreseeable future?

Could Trump end up fleeing the country and go into exile?

Or, another possibility, is that Trump could find refuge from a friendly state government which would vow to protect Trump at all costs. The US government would be forced to use the military to actually arrest Trump, if it went that far.

On the other hand, he could just stand trial and face the music, although I could imagine such a trial turning into a fiasco. Whichever judge is picked to preside over what is certain to be a circus would be under a great deal of pressure. Maybe they'd be willing to give him a softer sentence, perhaps six months in a country-club style prison, if he pleads guilty.

Thoughts?

I think some people are desperate to keep Trump from running again in 2024, so they invent in their minds that Trump is somehow up to no good.

 

[AlexanderG]

I don't see him ever in prison.
If the unlikely happened, & he were convicted
& sentenced, Biden would pardon him.

I can't see Biden pardoning Trump. Only if he expressed remorse or acknowledged wrongdoing, which he can't do because of his personality disorders. As is, it would be less corrosive to the country to allow him to serve prison time than to pardon him. There have to be consequences.

 

[Revoltingest]

Why would Biden pardon him? They might just give him a light sentence.

I can't see Biden pardoning Trump. Only if he expressed remorse or acknowledged wrongdoing, which he can't do because of his personality disorders. As it, it would be less corrosive to the country to allow him to serve prison time than to pardon him. There have to be consequences.

I just predict that top leaders would protect each other.
They'd say it's for "healing" & "stability".
Accountability is for the little people....not the elite.

 

[F1fan]

Part of the problem with giving trump more rope is how it is buying him time. If republicans take back congress in 2022 how can they protect him? If he hasn't hung himself by 2024 and gets re-elected (at least with help from republicans in states that are trying to get election jobs) and he will have a great deal of power and influence. There is no more GOP like in the 70's that will have ethics and be intolerant of corruption. The GOP is as much part of trump as he is. We can't assume the GOP will represent the people and defend the constitution.

 

[F1fan]

Trump is immune. He's a past president.

He has no authority now. He's just an ordinary citizen as are all other former presidents. Presidents are not above the law. There just haven't been many corrupt presidents to this level that the legal system has had to deal with just yet. Nixon was allowed to resign and he got away with his crimes. trump keeps poking the bear so is not being as smart as Nixon was.

Plus he's not going to flee the country. Lol

I agree it's unlikely. Still, the guy is not mentally stable so he is unpredictable. It would depend on options. Russia would seem the most likely, but he would not have the high life like he's used to in the USA. I would think suicide more likely than escape.

 

[Father Heathen]

I think some people are desperate to keep Trump from running again in 2024, so they invent in their minds that Trump is somehow up to no good.

Adorable script-flip attempt.

 

[Nakosis]

I just predict that top leaders would protect each other.
They'd say it's for "healing" & "stability".
Accountability is for the little people....not the elite.

I suspect like @Ponder This said, they just don't want Trump running again.
So they'll go to whatever point that can prevent it.

The requirements to be POTUS ain't much, so they might need to create some new laws.

 

[icehorse]

Does anyone have any thoughts on where this whole legal situation might lead? Part of me is wondering why they haven't put Trump on trial already. How much more investigating do they need to do, realistically? People have been investigating Trump since before he was president. He was impeached twice, but they couldn't remove him.

It makes sense that prosecutors want to build an airtight case given how close we seem to be to a civil war. That said, I agree, we need to expedite this prosecution!

On a personal note, I think if I ever see this villain get perp-walked it'll add years to my life

 

[F1fan]

I suspect like @Ponder This said, they just don't want Trump running again.
So they'll go to whatever point that can prevent it.

The requirements to be POTUS ain't much, so they might need to create some new laws.

This is being considered by some in government as an option. It is part of the 14th Amendment:

Disqualifying Insurrectionists and Rebels: A How-To Guide

In recent days, several scholars and lawmakers have suggested that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment might be used to bar Donald Trump and some of his allies from ever holding federal or state office again. The Section 3 route is a plausible alternative, or potentially a supplement, to the more traditional route for sanctioning state criminals: impeachment. But a number of unresolved questions remain regarding Section 3’s scope as well as the process by which the lifetime ban can be invoked. Here, I flag the most important questions, answer some of them, and offer tentative guidance to lawyers and lawmakers seeking to apply Section 3 to individuals who participated in or abetted the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol.​

 

[Kooky]

I suspect like @Ponder This said, they just don't want Trump running again.
So they'll go to whatever point that can prevent it.

Who are "they"? The "deep state"? Hillary Clinton? George Soros?

 

[Nakosis]

Who are "they"? The "deep state"? Hillary Clinton? George Soros?

Congress.

 

[Kooky]

Congress.

How would Congress be able to prevent any particular person from running for President?

 

[Nakosis]

How would Congress be able to prevent any particular person from running for President?

Opinion | Why a Law, Not Jail, Might Be the Best Way to Keep Trump Out of the Oval Office