Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 10:05 AM

Today is the last day of this year's Supreme Court session, so it is expected they will release the decision about Trump's claim of immunity (scroll to the bottom). Unless they punt it to next session (beginning first Monday in October).

Meanwhile, Heather Cox Richardson has spelled out the facts behind one of Trump's claims about the Ukraine during the debate (after saying he alone could get Putin to release Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter on trial now). Not sure if this is part of the public content (I paid for her Substack "Letters From An American" after the debate, to get sound information about the context of these political times). I've read the free stuff for quite a while. June 28, 2024 in which she discusses how Trump has today been interfering with negotiations to release Gershkovich, and how Putin's debt to Trump goes back to early planning of the annexing eastern Ukraine, ahead of starting the war.

She says:

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s 2019 report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election explained that Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign manager and then conduit to Russian operatives, in summer 2016 “discussed a plan to resolve the ongoing political problems in Ukraine by creating an autonomous republic in its more industrialized eastern region of Donbas, and having [Viktor] Yanukovych, the Ukrainian President ousted in 2014, elected to head that republic.”

Manafort had helped to get the pro-Russian oligarch Yanukovych into office, and when Yanukovych fled to Russia after the Ukrainian people threw him out, Manafort was left unemployed and in debt to other oligarchs. When he went to work for Trump, for free, he promptly wrote to his partner Konstantin Kilimnik, whom the Republican-dominated Senate Intelligence Committee identified in 2020 as a Russian operative, asking how “we” could use the appointment “to get whole,” and made sure that the Russian oligarch to whom he owed the most money knew about his close connection with the Trump campaign (p. 135).

The Mueller Report continued: “That plan, Manafort later acknowledged, constituted a ‘backdoor’ means for Russia to control eastern Ukraine” (p. 140). The region that Putin wanted was the country’s industrial heartland. He was offering a “peace” plan that carved off much of Ukraine and made it subservient to him. This was the dead opposite of U.S. policy for a free and united Ukraine, and there was no chance that former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who was running for the presidency against Trump, would stand for it. But if only Trump were elected….

And, in November 2016, he was.

According to the Republican-dominated Senate Intelligence Committee, Manafort’s partner and Russian operative Kilimnick wrote that "[a]ll that is required to start the process is a very minor 'wink' (or slight push) from D[onald] T[rump] saying 'he wants peace in Ukraine and Donbass back in Ukraine' and a decision to be a 'special representative' and manage this process." Following that, Kilimnik suggested that Manafort ‘could start the process and within 10 days visit Russia ([Yanukovych] guarantees your reception at the very top level, cutting through all the bullsh*t and getting down to business), Ukraine, and key EU capitals.’ The email also suggested that once then–Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko understood this ‘message’ from the United States, the process ‘will go very fast and DT could have peace in Ukraine basically within a few months after inauguration’” (p. 99).

According to the Senate Intelligence Committee, the men continued to work on what they called the “Mariupol Plan” at least until 2018.

There's quite a bit more to this column, if you can open the link.

Once Biden was in office the Trump folks were no longer fiddling in Ukraine affairs, and Putin went ahead and invaded.
Trump was able to dismiss the Mueller Report, with the help of his then Attorney General Barr, who offered a "summary" to the public that had nothing to do with what was actually in the report.

This is something else that Trump should be charged with, but chances are slim it would ever happen. Manafort and a couple of others did go to prison (though Trump pardoned Manafort, who is now working in the background of the Trump campaign.)

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 11:00 AM

Trump is getting a big bang from those Supreme Court appointees - he is given limited immunity, and the writeup is just starting so you'll have to read more detailed articles later to get the fine points.

6-3 decision along party lines, that Sotomayor said "never in the history of our republic . . . The long term results are stark" as she described as immunity from horrible behavior. He'll be able to take bribes legally, let people buy pardons, etc. Making him a king.

The one plus - should Trump get into office, he wouldn't be able to charge Biden (for simply being Biden.)

We have to get through this election and immediately pass some laws that render that decision null.

With this decision, things outside of official activity are not immune, but that looks like a huge gray area while someone is in office.

"Just slap the label 'official act' on it and do what you want," says Neal Katyal.

CNN has coverage and should be readable without a paywall.

There will be a lower court hearing to discuss official acts (and it gives Judge Chutkan a lot more "official" material to look through) and decide how much of the cases Jack Smith brought can go forward. She will still have some material to work with, but they've put hurdles in the way.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 02:49 PM

Interference in Ukraine by Russia with Trump's blessing and Manafort's assistance! OMG. Unbelievable in any normal times but just another Trump era escapade to add to the list of his misdemeanors.

I'm starting to realise why Putin was smirking at Trump when they met. I thought it meant that Putin thought Trump was an idiot. Now I think Putin just thought Trump was a performing monkey in a circus, trained to do any trick Putin wanted, easily used for his own ends.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 03:17 PM

> [Trump] has said very little about what he hopes to do
> if he is re-elected

In a word: Revenge.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 03:32 PM

Trump ally Steve Bannon arrives at federal prison to begin 4-month sentence - and every time another one of his cronies goes to prison, it makes it more imaginable that Trump could end up there also.

Trump is convicted, and if he is given a prison sentence, it's not like he reports directly to the hoosegow (only in Perry Mason). He then has to go through another bond process to stay out of jail during his appeal (is my rough understanding of how that can work). All of those steps, and of having a parole officer, are things that would work against any other candidate. Donald still has a lot of Teflon stuck to that orange exterior, though it has been pierced, so we're on pins and needles to see the outcome. Until the next outcome rolls along . . .

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 04:12 PM

When this is all over - will it ever be over? - just think of the TV series and Hollywood movies which will be made, each with their own take on who Trump really is, and then there will be the comedy takes on it all, but for now, it's all drama.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 05:04 PM

Have you not seen Bad President ?

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 24 - 10:45 PM

I've heard about it. Perhaps it is time to look it up.

Trump's lawyers announced today they are going to ask the judge in his payments to Stormy Daniels trial to set aside the verdict, based upon the Supreme Court ruling today. But what he did was totally a private act, a non-official act, and the State of New York found him guilty. The lawyers didn't turn in their recommendations for his punishment that were due today (the prosecutors, the parole department, and the defense all get to give an opinion to the judge). So who knows what will happen next week.

Stay tuned.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Jul 24 - 07:29 AM

Have I got this right - The supreme court have ruled that the president of the USA is immune from proscecution for "official acts"?

Heaven help us all and protect ups from the American "justice" system...

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 02 Jul 24 - 08:04 AM

Points of order:

* Is the ruling in question retroactive?

* There's been much discussion on the wireless this morning. It's been suggested that said ruling seems to be so tightly fitted to Don the Con's circumstances that it couldn't be used in other cases.

Adjudication, please.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 02 Jul 24 - 08:08 AM

Well I’m glad it’s not just me who’s jaw-dropped, Dave. I just don’t ‘get it’ how the judges can make this stuff up on the hoof - isn’t Congress the legislature of the US? Shouldn’t a change in the law require an Act of Congress?

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jul 24 - 09:25 AM

The way it was written, the Supreme Court would have to decide in the end, in any given case, what is "official" versus "unofficial." They could give no examples of these things during the reading of the decision. So something they let Donald get away with they wouldn't let Biden get away with.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 02 Jul 24 - 10:43 AM

The Supreme Court should be apolitical, not a tool of the political parties. And this latest piece of BS is proof absolute. Judges should not be appointed by Presidents, nor on the basis of their political leanings.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 02 Jul 24 - 03:51 PM

News just in:

Donald Trump's sentencing delayed after US Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity

"A New York judge has delayed Donald Trump's sentencing for criminal conduct until September at the earliest, after the former US president asked for a chance to argue he should have been immune from prosecution.

"The former president's sentencing, for falsifying business records to disguise hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, had been set for July 11.

"But it faces potential complications after the US Supreme Court ruled on Monday, local time, that ex-presidents have some immunity from criminal prosecution in some circumstances.

"The postponement delays the sentencing until at least September 18, well after this month's Republican National Convention, where Mr Trump is set formally to accept the party’s nomination for president in this year's race."

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 02 Jul 24 - 10:50 PM

Rudy Giuliani disbarred in New York as court finds he repeatedly lied about Trump's 2020 election loss

"In short:

"Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, federal prosecutor and legal adviser to Donald Trump, was disbarred in New York after a court found he repeatedly made false statements about Trump's 2020 election loss.

"Mr Giuliani actively contributed to the fallout following the 2020 presidential election, the court said.
What's next?

"He is facing criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona over his role in the effort to overturn the 2020 election."

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 24 - 11:32 AM

Rachel Maddow did a long-form interview with Stormy Daniels last night. There was quite an "ick" factor, because they read through the transcripts of things that didn't go out over the air during the trial. She was not happy about the events in that hotel room.

During the program, Rachel noted that Daniels has financial problems because a decision that worked against her meant she had to pay Trump's legal fees (back in ~ 2018). It was the same kind of thing as in the E. Jean trial, but worked against Daniels. At any rate, a friend of hers set up a GoFundMe account to cover her legal bills and last night when I looked in it was at $30,000. Now it is up to $624,000. I made an anonymous donation (who wants their name on a list Trump Trolls can mine?) Part of Daniels problem is from refusing to fill out information on a form that would have included her 13-year-old daughter's name and address. Daniels herself was doxxed (a form was put up during the trial, and she pointed out to the judge that it had her address. She had to say it twice.) A sidebar resulted in the form being taken off of the screen and not entered into the record, but all of the attorneys and court officers could see that address before the form was taken down. Her home address was put online during that hearing. She wasn't paid or compensated for her time and travel during the trail (to which she was subpoenaed.)

Andrew Weissman yesterday pointed out that the sentencing date pushed to September is not a bad thing - it puts it right in front of the election "when people are starting to pay attention." (Hard to imagine that anyone isn't riveted to this news now, but whatever). And if Trump wants to appeal the conviction and sentence, the deciding body for any complaints is the New York Supreme Court, not the US one. That could come later, but way after the election.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 24 - 04:44 PM

As of this afternoon, $708,000 to help Ms. Daniels. This is in 18 hours since Maddow's interview; I hope pundits are reading something into this. It's a damned shame the bulk of the money raised has to go to Trump for those legal fees. As she said last night, it isn't fair, when he set all of this in motion.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 11:22 AM

This morning she is up to $912,000 toward the $1M goal. Getting her out from under Trump's thumb will be a welcome move.

It seems there is always new material to mine when Trump's folks get their comeuppance. Lincoln Project apparently posted a jab at Bannon in prison, one of those "don't drop the soap" references, that has prison rights activists complaining. I don't get the impression that Danbury minimum security prison (this is the "high profile" prison for rich folks) has gangs. It's the punchline when talking about prison for rich folks (does it have a golf course?)

Trump can go there. I don't care. Just put him in prison. Except that's federal, and he would more likely end up at Rikers, next to his former COO.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jul 24 - 11:34 AM

The recent supreme court decision that gave Trump carte blanche gift to commit crimes as official acts, should he find his way back to the White House, had some extra stocking stuffers. Clarence Thomas answered a question that no one asked - he set up a "road map" for the Florida federal judge to dismiss the stolen documents at Mara Lago case, and she did just that this morning. The premise is that the special counsel wasn't appointed in a legal way (regardless of the fact that special counsels were set up the same way going back many presidential administrations, including Trump and the Mueller case.

So, that can be appealed and it can be refiled by a different justice department prosecutor. But that trial won't happen before the election.

The case in Washington, D.C., is likely to be returned to Judge Chutkan on Friday this week, and she'll have to look at the decision and decide which of his acts have immunity and which can go forward with criminal charges.

Judge Chutkan's Trump Delay Offers Possibility of 'Other Movement'—Attorney
The article quotes Joyce Vance, a former federal prosecutor:

"This coming Friday, by my count, Judge Chutkan's jurisdiction over the Special Counsel's election interference case will resume when the judgment is returned to her from the Supreme Court," she wrote.

"No one knows exactly how she will proceed after the Supreme Court gutted the case with its finding of broad presidential immunity and prohibition on the use of any evidence that involves 'official acts.' Now we will finally begin to learn what Judge Chutkan's plan for moving forward is, including whether she intends to hold an evidentiary hearing to separate official acts from private ones.

"She must determine what charges in the indictment may proceed despite the immunity grant and what evidence the government is still entitled to use."

"The [Supreme] Court seemed to suggest that much of what Judge Chutkan must make decisions about are fact-based inquiries, which many commentators suggested would be an opportunity for the Judge to hold an evidentiary hearing," Vance added.

She said this would be "a mini-trial of sorts" that would expose "much of the evidence a jury would have heard if the case went to trial."

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 10:50 AM

For a summing up of what happened: Judge dismisses Trump documents case over special counsel appointment from NPR.

Some followup: Jack Smith's Three Options After Aileen Cannon Dismisses Case from Newsweek

A number of legal experts have laid out how Smith or the Department of Justice (DOJ) could still seek to prosecute Trump over allegations that he illegally retained classified materials after he left office in January 2021, then obstructed the federal attempt to retrieve them.

These include appealing the decision and having it overturned via the courts, or having the case refiled without Smith acting as special counsel.

Smith is likely first to appeal Cannon's ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which has previously overturned some of the judge's decisions in the classified documents case.

Smith could also seek to have Cannon removed from the case altogether in the wake of her latest ruling via the 11th court.

Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance suggested this outcome would be the "icing on the cake" for Smith, as Cannon has long faced criticism for her rulings in the federal case which some say appear to have benefited Trump.

Even if Smith loses an 11th circuit appeal, the prosecutor will likely take the case to the Supreme Court as an option to keep the federal case against Trump alive.

Speaking to ABC News, former federal prosecutor Josh Naftalis suggested that Smith could even bypass the 11th circuit altogether with an expedited appeal, meaning the Supreme Court could rule on the arguments immediately.

"This is probably another Supreme Court case, for better or for worse," Naftalis said.

The rest is at the link.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 11:05 PM

The Stormy Daniels GoFundMe account pushed up the goal and hasn't met it yet - I think pushing it up was a mistake, but perhaps the change in the landscape as far as Harris now at the top of the ticket may cause people to want to put the Stormy Daniels issues to bed. They reached the $1M goal, but then changed it to $1.25M. It's at $1,077,508 right now.

Trump is now the oldest candidate ever, and after making a huge case against Biden's age, not only is Trump old, he's an indicted and convicted criminal. He chose a VP candidate with few qualifications based upon conditions that no longer exist. Trump's a rambling idiot, terribly flawed, and the discussion has come up about the GOP trying to push him out of the race. Not likely - Trump is in it for himself, not for the country or his party.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jul 24 - 04:50 PM

Trump demanded that the NY hush money case (in which he was found guilty) be set aside. This after the supreme court gave him a lot of cover for future crimes he might commit should he become dictator.

From Raw Story:

DA Alvin Bragg responds to Trump's demand to kill verdict in hush money case

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg issued a response Thursday to Donald Trump's attempt to dismiss the ruling in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for official acts carried out when president. Justices left it to lower courts to decide what is and is not an "official act."

Trump's lawyers took the ruling and used it to demand that the guilty verdict by the jury in the so-called "hush money case" be vacated. The lawyers asked Judge Juan Merchan if they could file a motion to set aside the verdict and have a hearing.

Bragg's filing claims the New York case had nothing to do with official acts as the crimes took place before he was elected.

The brief says that Trump's arguments are "largely unpreserved." To make such an argument, Trump must have raised them during or before Trial and he didn't, it says.

Responding to the document, former ethics czar and impeachment lawyer Norm Eisen called it "devastating" for Trump's case.

"The Supreme Court official acts immunity decision in Trump v. US is bad enough," he said on X. "But as the DA points out, Trump's efforts to stretch it to cover this UNOFFICIAL acts case is even worse.

The rest of the story is at the link.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Aug 24 - 11:31 PM

One of Trump's former attorneys, Jenna Ellis, who was changed in Georgia and pled guilty, is now agreeing to cooperate in the Arizona case against fake electors.

Ex-Trump attorney Jenna Ellis agrees to cooperate in Arizona 'fake elector' case
The state is dropping the charges against Ellis in exchange for her cooperation.

Trump wasn't charged in this case, but it is more of the body of evidence against his co-conspirators that will also work against him (as life gets worse for those folks more of them are liable to testify against Trump).

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Aug 24 - 08:16 PM

Trump is struggling - but has agreed to a debate on Sept. 10. Shortly after that his sentence will be pronounced. I'm really really really hoping the judge gives him real time to serve. It would serve him right.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Aug 24 - 08:17 PM

IF I can make the following link work, it is a Forbes article
with a timeline on the Trump legal cases.

Trump's Legal Cases

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Aug 24 - 09:39 PM

Here's the Just Security Clearinghouse to keep track, if you've exceeded your freed Forbes articles this month. That Forbes article gives some interesting information; the Clearinghouse has a lot more court appointments that Trump has to keep track of.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Aug 24 - 12:05 PM

The Georgia case has several well-deserved convictions already but hit a wall with the Supreme Court decision that presidential "official acts" couldn't be used as evidence in cases. Willis didn't help herself in being involved with a coworker, though that was settled and set aside.

Clearinghouse: Georgia Election Interference Case

The E. Jean Carroll case appeal should be happening soon. E. Jean Carroll seeks to expedite Trump’s appeal of verdict from first defamation civil trial

Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll have asked a federal appeals court to expedite Donald Trump’s appeal of the verdict in their first trial in which a jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages after finding Trump liable for defamation and battery in May 2023.

Carroll wants to see the oral arguments for the appeal scheduled to take place by July, arguing that the former president will try to further delay the proceedings, using his ongoing criminal trial or busy campaign schedule as an excuse.

The motion with the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals filed Tuesday cites Trump’s numerous attempts to delay both trials with Carroll as a signal that he’s likely to drag out the appeal.

“Donald J. Trump has demonstrated a clear pattern of dilatory, obstructionist, and bad faith conduct throughout these proceedings. With the pendency of the general presidential election campaign (which will intensify in the fall), not to mention several active state and federal criminal proceedings, Mr. Trump may well contend that any oral argument scheduled for later in 2024 must be deferred until early 2025 – at which point he could be preparing for an inauguration or awaiting another criminal trial,” the motion says.

Carroll's attorneys asked for July but it looks like the hearing is on Sept. 6. In a meeting that gives just 10 minutes per side to speak I don't know if this is to arrange a bigger hearing or if this is the whole thing, in a nutshell.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 24 - 12:59 PM

The Manhattan DA is deferring to Judge Merchan if he wants to go ahead with September sentencing or postpone till after the election. At Trump's request, of course. It's time Trump faced the music, let's hope Merchan goes forward and sentences him to prison time. No one deserves it more than the Donald.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 24 - 12:04 PM

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith isn't backing down after the Supreme Court gave Trump vast power to evade prosecution. The original Jan. 6 indictment that was stalled while a question went to the Supreme Court was 45 pages; the new one, that was run past a new grand jury, is 36 pages. It pares down the accusations and removes the bit from Trump tangling with the Justice Department over a lot of the Jeffrey Clark stuff. Instead of calling him President Trump it refers to him in his role as Candidate Trump to distinguish that what he was doing on Jan. 6 wasn't presidential. This document is called a superseding indictment.

Trump indicted again in election subversion case brought by Jack Smith
The 36-page indictment, secured Tuesday by the special counsel, is an attempt to recalibrate the case after the Supreme Court’s immunity decision.

Both sides face a Friday deadline to propose next steps to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, the Biden appointee who is overseeing the proceedings in the trial court. Chutkan has scheduled a Sept. 5 hearing to set a course for the case.

Trump pleaded not guilty to the initial indictment and has repeatedly decried the prosecution as a political vendetta. After the new indictment was unveiled on Tuesday, Trump called it “ridiculous” in a post on his social media site, Truth Social.

“For them to do this immediately after our Supreme Court Victory on Immunity and more, is shocking,” Trump wrote.

Trump thinks he got a "get out of jail free" card from the Supreme Court - and it's close to that, but he has committed so many crimes that this current indictment was still possible.

The new indictment seeks to rely on a distinction the Supreme Court drew between a president’s private actions (which can be the subject of criminal charges) and actions that stem from a president’s official powers (which now carry a large degree of immunity).

In an apparent bid to downplay any connection between Trump’s official duties and his bid to overturn Joe Biden’s victory, the new indictment repeatedly emphasizes the political and personal nature of many of the actions Trump took during the post-election period and on Jan. 6, 2021.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 28 Aug 24 - 04:33 PM

Thanks for that explanation, Stilly. I have read a few reports and seen a couple on TV and it was a bit confusing. Trump's reliance on his literal "get out of jail free" card from the Supreme Court is hopefully on shaky ground.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: keberoxu
Date: 31 Aug 24 - 11:00 AM

The Trump team request for a delay to the September 18th sentencing has been rejected, mostly on technicalities (Newsweek).
Of course there is going to be an appeal and all, but I hope they get the sentencing overwith already. it's been long enough.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 24 - 04:05 PM

More about that development from The Hill

The court, in its notice, claimed the filing was “deficient,” according to the docket. It has been sent back to the attorneys because they failed to attach written permission from the court or prosecutors, per the note to his attorney Emil Bove.

“The filing is deficient for the following reason(s): the PDF attached to the docket entry for the pleading is not correct; the wrong event type was used to file the pleading; Court’s leave has not been granted; the order granting permission to file the pleading was not attached,” the notice reads.

So it looks like they may refile after the holiday with the correct attachments and the right size PDFs.

Trump is still trying to get the hush money case set aside claiming there are official "presidential acts" that were shown to the jury.

The "Court's leave has not been granted" is an interesting phrase.

Meanwhile, I wonder what life is like for Trump's parole officer?

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 31 Aug 24 - 06:17 PM

And I wonder what life is like for his security guards. Are they contemplating how their possible time in jail will be, accompanying a felonious Trump.

I'm also wondering whether Trump is very busy in the background, attempting to squirrel away as many of his assets as he can to try to prevent too much in financial penalties. He must be thanking his (very strange) god for those campaign donations.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 24 - 11:37 AM

We are into uncharted territory, since no other US presidents have been put on trial, let alone come this close to being imprisoned. Many argue that Dubya should have been sent to The Hague for war crimes for Iraq; he is at least guilty of following really bad advice from the hawks in his administration. But even there, he was in the realm of "normal human being." Trump in prison - they may need to restore and reopen some abandoned facility that is run jointly by the State (he was tried and convicted in New York) and the Secret Service. There's an interesting thought exercise! (Let's continue to keep this focussed on Trump. The Bush mention was for illustration purposes only.)

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 02 Sep 24 - 05:50 AM

Are they about to finally find a use for Gitmo Bay :-) ?

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 02 Sep 24 - 06:46 AM

That thought crossed my mind too, MaJoC, but even better would be a glass-fronted cell like his hero, Hannibal Lecter.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 02 Sep 24 - 09:33 AM

> a glass-fronted cell

Be careful what you wish for, Helen. In Sam Coates's podcast (The Rest Is Politics) this morning, there was a horrible screaming match between two cats: the one that Sam's the staff for, and next door's ("his nemesis," said Sam). They were apparently nose-to-nose and giving it everything, in the sure and certain knowledge that the pane of glass between them meant that neither would have to actually follow through with claws.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Helen
Date: 02 Sep 24 - 10:43 AM

Yes, but then the ultimate torture would be watching the Secret Service guys eating burger and fries while he only gets to eat prison slop.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 06:09 PM

The news is reporting again about Judge Chutkan and that she has granted Trump one request - that he doesn't need to attend the new arraignment on election interference (fraud) charges (to be filed again by Jack Smith). Judge Chutkan Grants Donald Trump's First Request Since New Indictment

To paraphrase the old saying, the US courts grind slowly (with so many obstacles thrown in the way by Trump) but they grind exceedingly fine. It's going to do more than just pinch when all is said and done.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 24 - 12:55 PM

In Deciding When to Sentence Trump, Judge Faces ‘Impossible’ Task
Justice Juan M. Merchan has tried to treat Donald J. Trump like the hundreds of other defendants whose fates he has decided. But his decision could alter American history.

This is a gift article from my NY Times account so you should all be able to read the whole thing.

“The judge is in an impossible situation, and one that doesn’t lend itself to easy comparisons,” said Charles Geyh, a law professor at Indiana University Bloomington who specializes in judicial conduct and ethics, adding that Justice Merchan’s decision would carry “historical implications.”

While Mr. Trump has already been deemed a felon, if Justice Merchan postpones his sentencing until after the Nov. 5 election, the American people will vote without knowing whether Mr. Trump will spend time behind bars.

A delay would also reward the stalling tactics Mr. Trump has deployed throughout the case, and feed the very impression the judge has labored to dispel — that the former president is above the law.

Tuning out the political noise will be a tough job when it is a full cacophony.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: keberoxu
Date: 07 Sep 24 - 11:49 AM

I have no links, but there have been interesting comparisons in the news
of the two judges in two different cases --
the hush-money case and the election-interference case --
and how very differently they are handling their schedules.
One judge is erring on the side of caution by delaying the sentencing;
the other judge is dismissive of the whole election situation.

Not to mention the civil case about the sexual abuse/defamation
which brought Trump into court in person this week.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Sep 24 - 04:22 PM

The Georgia case, regarding election interference, originally had
13 charges against Donald Trump. Several have been thrown out,
but there are still 8 counts remaining (ABC News).

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 24 - 08:07 PM

The judge removed three counts that involved perjury or false statements that fall under federal jurisdiction.

NBC News:

The original 41-count indictment accused Trump and several of his allies of a broad scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia, but the case has been stalled for months as an effort to disqualify the top prosecutor remains on appeal.

Judge Scott McAfee upheld a challenge to the sweeping racketeering charge Thursday but wrote in his decision that certain counts involving allegations of filing false documents should no longer go forward because they belong in federal, not state, court.

“Because Counts 14, 15, and 27 lie beyond this State’s jurisdiction and must be quashed, the Defendants’ motions to dismiss the indictment under the Supremacy Clause are granted in part,” McAfee wrote.

There's still plenty to try his fat ass on.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Sep 24 - 10:47 AM

'scuse my ignorance but if the judge ruled that they were not in the states remit, can he be tried elsewhere for those charges?

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 24 - 11:56 AM

The federal government. They have their hands full with enough other trials right now that probably nothing new will emerge, at least for the time being.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Sep 24 - 12:00 PM

Trump may be engaging on this next criminal enterprise: Crypto currency.

This article comes from Wall Street On Parade, a newsletter run by Wall Street watchdogs Russ and Pam Martens.
As Trump Launches a Crypto Firm, FBI Reports Crypto Fraud Has Exploded to $5.6 Billion; Representing Almost 50 Percent of All Financial Fraud

Last Thursday, the Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on combating financial frauds against consumers. During the hearing, Senator Jon Tester of Montana held up his mobile phone and said: “Everyday, everyday, I either get an email or a phone call from somebody who’s trying to screw me out of my money.”

According to the FBI, it is highly likely that a large number of the people trying to screw both you and Senator Tester out of your money are crypto fraudsters. On September 9, the FBI released its 2023 report on crypto fraud, which made the following findings:

“In 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received more than 69,000 complaints from the public regarding financial fraud involving the use of cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin, ether, or tether. Estimated losses with a nexus to cryptocurrency totaled more than $5.6 billion.”

“While the number of cryptocurrency-related complaints represents only about 10 percent of the total number of financial fraud complaints, the losses associated with these complaints account for almost 50 percent of the total losses.”

“The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency, the speed of irreversible transactions, and the ability to transfer value around the world make cryptocurrency an attractive vehicle for criminals, while creating challenges to recover stolen funds.” (Bold emphasis on the word “irreversible” was added by Wall Street On Parade.)

“Once an individual sends a payment, the recipient owns the cryptocurrency and often quickly transfers it into an account overseas for cash out purposes.”

These transactions are instant and irrevocable. Just the kind of fraud that Trump loves.

The FBI report breaks down the amount of financial fraud by age group, with the finding that people over 60 years of age are the number one target for crypto fraudsters. These seniors account for $1.6 billion of the $5.6 billion lost to crypto fraud in 2023, or 29 percent of the total.

Given the increasing role that crypto is playing in fraud against the most vulnerable citizens in the U.S., one has to seriously question Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s decision last evening to announce that he and his family are launching a crypto firm called World Liberty Financial.

That said, here's a clue to their involvement:

“A copy of an early internal report, known as a white paper and obtained by CoinDesk, listed Barron [Trump] as ‘Chief DeFi Visionary,’ Eric and Donald Jr. as ‘Web3 Ambassadors,’ and Trump Sr. as ‘Chief Crypto Advocate.’

“But while the Trumps will receive compensation from the project, the platform itself is ‘not owned, managed, operated or sold’ by members of the Trump family.

“[Steve] Witkoff, a real estate investor, and Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, are the two people calling the shots at World Liberty Financial, according to a person familiar with the project. Both are new to the crypto industry.”

Training his youngest to start the family grift businesses early.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Sep 24 - 06:39 PM

Today is September 18 and before the postponements, this was to be a big day for one of the criminal cases.
But because of the postponement, the big day is December something.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Sep 24 - 06:56 PM

My mistake, it looks more like late November.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 23 Sep 24 - 08:45 AM

> " .... Both are new to the crypto[currency] industry."

The trade term for them is "marks". Every poker table has at least one sucker sitting at it: if you can't see them, go look in a mirror.

Subject: RE: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part II
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 24 - 12:00 PM

Trump is still trying to find that golden ticket, the piece of merchandise that will make him rich. Donald Trump drops more campaign merch: A silver 'Trump Coin' priced at $100
Former president Donald Trump announced the sale of a $100 limited edition silver coin that has his 'beautiful face' on it.

While the "God Bless the USA Bible" is fairly accessible, Trump's "Never Surrender" high-top sneakers have become difficult to find for the shoe's retail price of $399. To purchase the shoe, buyers would have to look on eBay and other online marketplaces. One eBay user listed a pair of Trump's sneakers for a buy-now price of $9,900.

Trump's MAGA hats have been popular among his supporters since his initial campaign in 2016. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner wrote in his memoir that the MAGA hats earned the Republican candidate's 2016 campaign up to $80,000 per day, the New York Post reported.

The good thing about that $9,900 pair of shoes on eBay? Chances are that is sold by a collector, to a desperate Trump fan. Trump won't see another penny from that pair of shoes. The bling is presumably marketed as a separate revenue stream for the Trump family while he uses political donations to pay his legal bills.