Trump to be arrested at New York criminal court
By: Dareh Gregorian and Adam Reiss (NBC News)
It's done
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Link copied April 4, 2023, 8:30 AM UTC / Updated April 4, 2023, 5:30 PM UTC By Dareh Gregorian and Adam Reiss
Donald Trump has arrived at the New York City courthouse where he'll be arrested and arraigned later Tuesday on dozens of charges related to hush money payments — the first time in American history that a former president will face criminal charges.
Trump arrived at the courthouse at 100 Centre St. in Lower Manhattan in a presidential-style motorcade from Trump Tower in Midtown, where he stayed overnight. He's expected to be informed he's under arrest, fingerprinted and processed ahead of his scheduled 2:15 arraignment before acting Justice Juan Merchan. Trump is expected to enter a plea of not guilty.
"Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can't believe this is happening in America," Trump said in a post to his social media platform Truth Social that published as he was arriving at the courthouse.
The legal troubles, media spectacle and porn-star-hush-money salaciousness at the heart of the case are a new chapter for the New York tycoon-turned-TV-star-turned-politician, whose career has careened from scandal to success for four decades. This time, unlike his bankrupted casinos or failed marriages, many of Trump's supporters and detractors argue that the fate of American democracy is hanging in the balance as the former president increasingly conflates any legal woes as an effort to illegitimately deny him a return to power.
With the failures of Jan. 6 still fresh in officials' minds, security was high in the courthouse and nearby areas as the police department, court officers and Secret Service braced for protests amid the unprecedented arraignment of a former president.
While police shut down streets and the sound of a helicopter buzzed overhead, news outlets from around the world set up cameras near long lines of spectators, some of whom had camped out overnight in the hopes of getting a coveted seat inside.
The judge has barred TV cameras from inside the courtroom but decided to allow some photographers, who will capture historic images likely to end up on newspaper front pages, in election-season ads and in future history books.
"I think we're on the eve of destruction. It's just like surreal to me," Trump attorney Joe Tacopina said Monday on Fox News.
'Indict himself'
Trump called for "protests" in the event of his arrest last month, and he later ratcheted up his rhetoric, warning of "potential death and destruction" if he was charged criminally. He continued to post overnight on his social media site Truth Social, leveling criticism at the prosecutor.
"[I]f he wants to really clean up his reputation, he will do the honorable thing and, as District Attorney, INDICT HIMSELF," Trump said on Truth Social of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, whom Trump accused of leaking details of the indictment to the press.
Trump has also used the indictment to raise money for his 2024 campaign, which announced Monday evening that it had raised $7 million since a grand jury voted to indict Trump, 76, last Thursday.
Hundreds of pro- and anti-Trump demonstrators gathered in a small park across from the courthouse ahead of Trump's scheduled appearance, including Reps. George Santos, R-N.Y., and Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., and some of the exchanges between the competing camps grew heated.
Officials from the NYPD estimated there were about 300 pro-Trump demonstrators near the courthouse and 150 anti-Trump protestors.
A scheduled appearance by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a top Trump ally, was cut short after she was drowned out by whistles that had been handed out by another Trump supporter.
Mayor Eric Adams told reporters at a news conference Monday that the city was ready for unrest. "We are prepared," he said.
Shortly before noon, however, protesters were still outnumbered by the mass of international news media that descended in the area around the courthouse, which included reporters from Brazil, Germany, France, Finland and Sweden.
The exact charges will be unsealed at the arraignment; two sources familiar with the matter have said Trump faces about 30 counts relating to allegations of document fraud connected to hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Under a 2019 New York state law that Trump as president criticized as being too soft on crime, the charges he's believed to face don't qualify for bail because they're nonviolent offenses. Legal experts said the judge could restrict Trump's travel but is unlikely to do so because he's running for president and isn't considered a flight risk.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation by Bragg's office a "witch hunt" and accusing the DA of being a "racist."
Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social that he didn't believe he could get a fair trial in Manhattan, where he lived for decades and made his name before moving to Florida during his presidency. The actions at the center of the investigations took place in New York, where Trump's campaign was also headquartered at the time.
"The Corrupt D.A. has no case," he wrote. "What he does have is a venue where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a Fair Trial (it must be changed!)"
He also called for a new judge to preside over the case, saying he believes Merchan is "Trump Hating." He "must be changed!" Trump wrote on his website. He has also said Merchan — who presided over last year's criminal trial against the Trump Organization and its former chief financial officer, which led to multiple convictions — was "hand-picked" by Bragg.
Court officials have said that Merchan was randomly assigned to oversee the grand jury investigation and that judges who supervise such probes generally try any cases that come out of the grand jury.
The last time Trump was in a Manhattan courthouse was for jury duty in 2015, when he praised the American legal system as a "great...system that works."
Hush money payments
The DA's investigation centered on hush money payments made ahead of the 2016 election to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. He has denied the affairs and any wrongdoing.
Michael Cohen, then Trump's lawyer, paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 in the closing days of the campaign. He has said he made the payment at Trump's direction, and Trump had acknowledged repaying Cohen through payments that were labeled as legal expenses.
Prosecutors also questioned witnesses about allegations that $150,000 in hush money had been previously paid to former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal, two sources familiar with the Manhattan grand jury's work have said.
Cohen — who testified before the grand jury — acknowledged he was involved in both payments in a guilty plea in Manhattan federal court in 2018.
The arraignment is just the beginning of a lengthy legal process in the case that could take months or years to resolve.
Dareh Gregorian
Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.
Adam Reiss
Adam Reiss is a reporter and producer for NBC and MSNBC.
Alex Seitz-Wald, Garrett Haake and Jonathan Dienst contributed.
Tags
Who is online
113 visitors
Trolling, taunting, spamming, and off topic comments may be removed at the discretion of group mods. NT members that vote up their own comments, repeat comments, or continue to disrupt the conversation risk having all of their comments deleted. Please remember to quote the person(s) to whom you are replying to preserve continuity of this seed. Any use of the phrase "Trump Derangement Syndrome" or the TDS acronym in a comment will be deleted. Any use of the term "Brandon", or any variation thereof, when referring to President Biden, will be deleted.
He could have done this all by ZOOM from Mar-A-Lardo but chose to make this a three-ring circus despite the strong advice from his SS detail.
I don't think he could. He had to do this in the district where the charges were pending.
Yeah...he has to be formally arraigned.
That is based on an unsubstantiated report from the Rolling Stone from April 3rd. However the article states that it's from unnamed sources and does not present any package of verified evidence. Newsweek also reprinted the story but were careful to state they were also unable to verify any of the statements.
What are you talking about and why make that comment to EG?
This is a seeded article from NBC.
He's already there he's probably in the process of being arraigned right now
EG replied to Tessylo where she stated he could have done this by ZOOM rather than go to NYC and EG's reply stated he didn't think he could. I was only giving background to EG on where the report that he could have used ZOOM came from.
What is? That he has to be processed where he's being charged? I would assume if that's incorrect his lawyers and the Secret Service would have negotiated to be done in Beach County, FL.
The initial comment that you replied to Tessylo that Trump could have avoided all this drama in NYC and done this via ZOOM.
OH. My apologies and thanks for the explanation
Got it. Thanks!
Maybe my source was incorrect but I recall reading somewhere that he could have handled many aspects of the arraignment process by ZOOM, I don't know how that works though with the mug shot and fingerprinting. This by ZOOM to avoid the three ring circus regarding security and his SS detail which (who?) advised him NOT to do the perp walk.
lots of windows on that street...
I reserve the right as the author of this seed to delete all trolling comments and anything I determine to be off-topic
oh man !?!...
go kick some ass...
that picture of sarah was taken just when the pizza guy showed up with 6 XL meat lovers...
Fat shaming is always fun, especially of women. Good call devangelical.
[Deleted]
the joke's on me. I posted that comment on the wrong seed. LOL
[✘]
extra heavy on the sausage
still made me laugh
that was her name on the "plenty of fish" xtian dating site...
cool
lol
diamond in the rough comedy...
>poof<
I expect a gag order and see Trump break it.
he will. He will be lighting up Truth Social for the next 72 hours.
cool. contempt of court, 30 days...
I don't see Trump doing any jail time. More like a fine for contempt charges. In an unrelated case, I was reading about last night (Young Stoner Records RICO) a potential juror was sentenced to 3 days for tying to film the jury selection on her phone against the court's order.
You are probably correct, but we are talking about Trump. How many times will the judge watch Trump violate the gag order before he changes the sentences from $1,000 to 30-days? You know that Trump cannot stop talking about it, his ego won't allow him to stop.
I can see trump being put into a cell if he continues to attack the judge, the judge his lawyers have probably already filed a motion today to have replaced...
ugh, you just crushed my NY jail cell with a broken camera fantasy...
[✘]
If prison was a good enough place for Trump to hire a hit on Jeffrey Epstein it's a good enough place for the GOP to hit Trump.
[✘]
Great minds think alike!
Exactly, Federal LEO is so corrupt.
maybe they could get some of those J6 DC cops to sub for a few weekend or night shifts...
that's reasonable...
Unless the gag order is appealed and determined to be faulty due to the 1st Amendment. Time will tell, but i do believe that Trump will have to talk about this before any action could be taken to appeal any gag order.
An appeal would take a minute. Trump wouldn't let the printer ink dry on the paperwork before he was posting his vexations.
Agreed. I would expect Trump to talk about it in the hallway where he plans on speaking to the press just outside the courtroom. He is his own worst enemy.
Gag order....for what reason??
....probably to keep his McD and KFC induction port shut about the trial.
But why? Doesn't that infringe on his 1st Amendment rights and the publics right to know?
Gag orders have been in use for decades.
When Silence Isn’t Golden: How Gag Orders Can Evade First Amendment Protections
go do some research on that, as well as the statute of limitations laws in NY.
thanks. I refuse to enlighten the opposition, usually, unless it's too late for them to do anything...
I don't refuse to enlighten them, I just usually find it impossible to do so.
yeah, that too...
Research isn't his forte.
nope
[✘]
This day has been inevitable for a long time. Someone as ethically low as Trump will face the music sooner or later.
LOCK HIM UP!!!!!
It's been a long time coming.
I guess when one is raised by the mafia this sort of thing happens.
Exactly, a developer born and raised in NYC.
The shit the former 'president' does such as putting pictures of the Judge's daughter on social media and inciting against the Judge and his family are beneath the mafia. They would never sink so low.
Exactly, both the Mob and NYC construction industry has standards supporting morality.
???????????
traitor perp walk, first of many...
Do you know he actually wanted a perp walk and handcuffs? He thought it would make him look like a martyr. Read that on Alternet*** today
***to my many critics...I know Alternet is the leftist version of the John Birch Society but I don't think anyone would make it up espcially when it was on his social media
Before Trump could even speak about this the Secret Service said they wouldn't allow handcuffs.
Is that in case they have to get him moving as quickly as possible in case of an attempt?
From what I read this morning, Bragg has already decided against handcuffs or the mug shot.
at the same time his lawyers were fighting to keep cameras out of the court room...
I imagine that will displease the tee-shirt vendors, and Trump: "C'mon! Take my picture. I'll make millions."
Not necessary, NY trials are almost never televised. Judge allowed 5 cameras into the court room but ruled that they would have to leave before the the arraignment begins.
There’s always AI.
crap, I forgot to write down that AI suicide hotline number I read about here, for his supporters...
You're so bad
lol
no, he can only jerk off one person at a time with the cuffs on...
... if you're a trump supporter, please press 2 for recorded instructions...
He won't be 'arrested", handcuffed, or do a perp walk. He'll show up, be arraigned, and probably out of there in less than an hour.
He will then will likely return to Florida by the end of today. One of the first things his attorneys will do is ask for a change of venue.
request denied.
"I fought the law and the libs won"
Hell, yeah!
Hell, yeah!
All 34 counts are felonies.
The prosecutors also brought up Trumps inflammatory public statements which the judge said he is concerned about.
Remarkable.
Doesn't surprise me that all the counts were made felonies. Still waiting for the indictment to be released. At this point we don't really have enough to know if they are true felonies or somehow enhanced by a novel theory from Bragg.
The indictment has been done, but I don't think it has been unsealed yet. I could be mistaken though.
Yes it has. You can read both the indictment and the statement of fact from Bragg here.
Just did, thank you. Although I'm sure some people are calling it a statement of fiction from Bragg./s
it'll still be funny watching trump commit perjury...
hopefully melania and barron will be there if stormy and karen testify...
"hey mom, don't you think they both kind of look like my step sister iskanka?"
"er... mom? you kind of look like her too..."
"the kids at school say I look like putin, ... mom?"
"Ye of Little Faith"
ed into a gigantic POS?
When it comes to TRUMP, everything he touches turns into a CRIME.
What more evidence does one need to convince you that "AGENT ORANGE" is not only the WORST POTUS but a CAREER CRIMINAL turn
Trump pled "not guilty".
Another Trump lie.
Has Trump ever not lied about anything?
[✘]
It would be easier to list the truths he's told during his lifetime so far.
[deleted]
I think everyone here could count them on one finger
... and I know which finger.
This NUT JOB lies about his academic achievement.
The color of his Freakin' Hair!
The women that he has Raped and sexually abused.
The size of his illegally gained wealth.
Every breath he takes is a LIE!
A good bet.
money in the bank.
MTG, George Santos and Jamaal Brown have all arrived outside the courthouse for this. I do hope the House Ethics committee is watching what they do and if they overstep that they are sanctioned for their actions. IMO they should not be there at all and if they help stir up the crowd which results in any rioting they should be held accountable by the House.
no worries, the brain dead that still support him are gutless cowards and more importantly, unarmed and outnumbered...
NBC is reporting tax fraud is included as a theory of the case. The charges are more serious than many Trump apologists expected.
Yeah all the continued defense of the indefensible - counts 'made felonies' 'true felonies or somehow enhanced by a novel theory from Bragg'? What does that mean???? Is this what DA's do or something you made up in your defense of the former 'president' and essentially slander against Bragg?
Trump supporters are mostly high school dropouts with sub 80 IQs.
A Trump Rally...
[✘]
The TRUMP MOD SQUAD!
Are these the people you want to manage government at all levels?
They can't even manage their own lives!
Do you HATE it so deeply that you are willing to destroy your country to satisfy a grievance?
Stupidity is not an admirable quality.
The TRUMP MOD SQUAD!
Are these the people you want to manage government at all levels?
They can't even manage their own lives!
Do you HATE it so deeply that you are willing to destroy your country to satisfy a grievance?
Stupidity is not an admirable quality.
We'll know for sure when we see what the charges are, and what constitutes evidence...if any
This will be the closest watched and analyzed trial in history...hopefully Bragg has been very precise down to the last comma.
Can't imagine his embarrassment if some mistakes kick in or if some evidence is not admitted.
Yeah, Bragg NY DA office are doing all of this with no evidence to back it up.
until the next one, and the next one, and the next one, etc, etc, ...
Trump has many court dates waiting for him.
Paying off whores (plural) is the least of his problems.
lol exactly
he's about to experience judicial incoming from places other than NY.
While tax fraud is indeed serious, I'm not seeing tax fraud listed from either Fox, CNN or NBC. Where did you hear that tax fraud is included?
All that is being reported by the above 3 sites is that it's 34 felonies of falsifying business records related to his alleged role in hush money payments toward the end of his 2016 presidential campaign. And to upgrade that to a felony will require Bragg to prove that Trump himself intended to falsify the records and that I believe will be a tough sell.
He is not being charged with tax fraud. NBC News said it is included in the theory of the case. I guess we will find out what that means.
As there's no statute of limitations on tax fraud in New York, perhaps they should have included it? Unless that's the "novel theory" that has been talked about on how to extend the statute of limitations on the falsifying business records charges (which ran out years ago).
He is not charged with tax fraud, but tax fraud will be used in the arguments for the prosecution. That is what the MSNBC legal experts who have read the charges say. Make of it what you will.
You mean that a serial liar would actually falsify records?! Shocking!
I don't think allen weisselberg wants to go back to jail. too bad.
looks like he'll either be rolling over on trump or headed back inside to roll over...
He just got out the other day.
he can spend a few weeks at home before he goes back for some non-kosher sausage.
so you don't think he'll roll over this time either on the former 'president'?
I don't think he's very popular with any NYC prosecutors now, and could end up spending the rest of his life in jail if the trial goes south for trump.
he'll cooperate fully or do more time. his choice will be witness or defendant.
somehow I don't think trump can afford to pay him enough to die in prison.
I hope he has a strong heart, ha ha ha ha ha ...
okay, not really... I hope he folds up like a lawn chair.
So this court session is concluded and Trump is on his way to LaGuardia to fly back to Florida.
So now the next race is underway. Who will be the first site to post the indictments and their "analysis" of the counts?
here's the manhattan DA's published indictments -
analysis - attention IRS...
That's just the indictment from the DA's office, I read the same thing from Fox News. It's short on information as it lists each count and a check number or ledger number. Without having what those checks and entries are, this really doesn't tell us anything more than we already knew.
CNN has better information in that they also have the Statement of Fact that lays out details for each count. I'm unsure how this will all play out as Bragg seems to be tying everything back to the 2016 election, which both the SDNY and the FEC knew about and declined to prosecute. In order to get a guilty verdict on the charges Bragg will need to prove Trump's intent. We'll know more as time goes on but from what I see and know right now I have a hard time seeing this case move forward.
sorry, that's where I stopped reading your comment. the next court appearance for this case is in december, but trump has 2 more trials starting in NY this month.
[deleted]
Go to the CNN link I put in my post where you can also see the Statement of Facts from Bragg.
[deleted]
[deleted]
FOX = bullshit
Trumps scumbag lawyer looks like his head is going to explode.
tacopino won't be listed as the attorney of record for this trial. he's already conflicted.
He's better off dropping out. Otherwise he'll have a stroke.
bummer.
Every single count, all 34 are this.
f FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS IN THE FIRST DEGREE,
in violation of Penal Law §175.10 , committed as follows:
§ 175.10 Falsifying business records in the first degree.
A person is guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree
when he commits the crime of falsifying business records in the second
degree, and when his intent to defraud includes an intent to commit
another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof.
Falsifying business records in the first degree is a class E felony.
Statute of limitations for every felony but a Class A
There isn't a single charge from 2018, so Bragg has exceeded the statute of limitations on every count.
In 50 years, when pretty much every President is arrested after leaving office, no one will think twice about this sort of thing.
Great precedent we are setting. Political prosecutions that even the prosecutors own side admit are based on "novel", to put it kindly, theories.
looks like it's up to a jury to decide. it's called constitutional due process, not republican due process...
Everyone is a class E felony, 5 years statute, and they are trying to Blame Barr now for the actions of a prosecutor who didn't even start until trump had been out of office for a year?
“…Great precedent we are setting…”
Actually and factually.
If you (meaning everyone) have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear.
Have your say in a court of law, answer to the law before a jury of your peers and either pay the consequences or be vindicated.
Yep, and I'm sure you will make the same argument when a prosecutor in Alabama creates a new legal theory to indict Biden. Because you certainly argue from principles and not mindless, knee jerk partisanship.
[✘]
maybe by then republicans can list all the exemptions to the constitution for their elected officials.
... the law and order party. LOL
[✘]
looks like you missed a few semesters of law school, now try googling NY's laws on statutes of limitations, while you attempt to remember what bill barr said about indicting a sitting president...
I did, that is where every bit of information is from, and Bill Barr CANNOT prevent a state from charging a individual, he only controls the Federal DOJ, Do you want to try another deflection?
The previous d.a. Cyrus Vance Jr. said that he was asked to stand down on this investigation. So he did.
Former Manhattan DA says Trump DOJ asked him to 'stand down' in Stormy Daniels hush money probe
you seem to be missing some information. barr told the previous manhattan DA that the DOJ was on this case and to stand down. then barr quashed the DOJ case, the trump DOJ that determined a crime had been committed by trump.
Ok, so the SDNY asked him to stand down because
Not for nefarious reasons, just that the SDNY was investigating the same thing at the time. Even Vance felt it was appropriate for him to pause his investigation at the time. When the SDNY declined to prosecute for this he was free to restart his investigation but he decided not to. And Vance was not ordered to stand down, he was asked. He could have declined but he felt it was the correct decision at the time. I believe this is a nothing burger only to be used as a talking point, but basically meaningless.
And? No names and they don't have the Authority to tell the state NOT to enforce it's laws, do you want to try another deflection? PLUS IT DOESN'T STOP THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS!
Again, Barr doesn't have the authority to tell them to stand down.
“And obviously that was a discretionary call by me whether or not to do that, but I felt it was entirely appropriate.
Did you read your actual article?
“The Southern District of New York at the same time as ourselves at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office were looking at the so-called `hush money payment’ issue. And then we learned from the Southern District of New York that they asked us to `stand down.’ And by `stand down’ I mean they were communicating that they had this ongoing investigation and they wished that we put our efforts on hold while they completed their investigation.
“And obviously that was a discretionary call by me whether or not to do that, but I felt it was entirely appropriate.Obviously the Southern District of New York is an excellent organization with great leaders and prosecutors and i felt it was appropriate for me to press the pause button."
Which part of this is confusing to you?
None of it. For some strange reason you bolded the words "asked" and "discretionary".
Just for fun lets look at what I said.
or this one
Former Manhattan DA Says Trump DOJ Asked Him To 'Stand Down' In Stormy Daniels Hush Money Probe
Do you have a point?
No shit he's saying that now. Funny he didn't indict after Trump left office and the Biden DOJ was in charge. .
Trump has been out of office for more than two years an eternity in the criminal system. Its longer than the statute of limitations on the supposed underlying crime.
Its rather striking that Trumps friends here dont even come close to arguing that he is innocent, as in he didnt do it, but they argue he should get off on technicalities.
More than anything else this shows us much they are devoted to trumpism.
He doesn't and the it was public knowledge (admitted in Court) the DOJ wasn't pursuing charges against Trump in July 2019. The field was wide open.
What crime did he commit? NDA's aren't illegal.
I guess none of you believe Trump is innocent. None of you "conservatives" is arguing he didnt do it.
If it is "too late", let the judge throw it out. Otherwise, give it a rest.
The pos needs to be held accountable, and we all know well MAGA will never do that.
We do not know what crime he committed; that is what the trial will determine.
We do know what crimes he is being charged with:
In short, he is charged with falsifying business records.
What is your point?
Under the law. The way you are carrying on here, one would think you wish this was happening in North Korea rather than the USA with our version of law.
The SDNY investigated this case and declined to press charges. The FEC investigated this case and declined to press charges. Now after the statute of limitations has expired, a local DA wants to press charges?
Well damn, lets just take him out back, drop a bullet into his head and send a bill for the bullet to his widow. /s
is he being charged with illegally approving NDA's ?
The (Trump) SDNY investigated this case and declined to press charges.
But it is interesting that you think that would invalidate todays case. Based on what? If the "SDNY" (non Trump) coms out now and says we decided there was nothing to the case then maybe you might have something to argue about. I havent seen that, but even if they did that doesnt invalidate this case. Only facts can do that.
That's a misdemeanor with a two year Statute of limitations.
What specific federal law did he violate to make this a felony? Who is the victim of that felony?
But you continue to ignore facts when you don't like them. What do you have to say about the 34 charges that all have the same five year statute of limitations, a time limit that has been exceeded? What do you have to say about the fact that witness #1 (Cohen) has stated both that he took out a loan and paid off Daniels with Trump having no knowledge of it AND later that Trump knew all about it. Why do you only like facts that are in your favor and downplay those you don't like?
You have stated (in 14.2.14) that we believe Trump is innocent. Yet in fact (I know, a word you don't seem to like) all I am saying is look at the total of the issue, not just what you want to look at. Did you even read thru the Statement of Facts from Bragg? It sure reads as if Bragg is tying all of this back to the 2016 election and yet election financial crime is supposed to be handled by the feds, not the states. Do you think that Bragg has exceeded his grasp on this? Or is your desire to have Trump behind bars so overwhelming that you will cheer on anybody to attempts it?
Why are you asking me a new question? I gave you a link to the indictment. That is the definitive statement for filed charges.
I am still asking which specific federal statute he violated. Its the same thing as asking what crime he committed. Which federal statute did he violate?
I do not see why some of you are so concerned about this. The process is going to toss out any charge that has no legal grounds. So if there is a 5 year statute that applies here, it will be tossed out.
If you were an attorney (especially one familiar with NY law) I would be interested. But this armchair legal bickering is rather silly. The law is what it is and the trial will adjudicate the indicted charges.
Now, from my layman reading, the indictment looks weak. These might all be legitimate charges, but this is NOT the indictment that matters. What matters, IMO, is holding Trump accountable for his actions as PotUS.
Again, why are you asking me a legal question about federal statutes?
You are, I presume, aware that federal law is distinct from state law. This is a state case, not a federal case.
Read the indictment that I provided to you. It is the definitive document of charges in this case.
Judging by his writing style, 'George' has been previously banned.
Barr, the former 'president's' consigliere.
[✘]
obviously born again.
"...rather striking that Trump's friends here...".
What friends are those John?
party loyalty trumps everything, doesn't it...
hell yeah, but she would probably kick in a lot more...
she's lost her appetite for mushrooms...
I meant one tiny mushroom...
[✘]
I would not know as I am neither a Trump supporter nor belong to the Republican Party.
nah, you're doing fine on your own...
Yes, the statute of limitations has passed on the charges, but in reading the Statement of Facts from Bragg I believe the "novel theory" that he is using is tax fraud. Tax fraud does not have any statute of limitations in New York.
But then you would have to actually charge him with tax fraud, Murder also doesn't have a statute of limitations, we could use MURDER of integrity of the the courts also.
That's what I would have thought but the charges do not include tax fraud. It is mentioned in the Statement of Facts from Bragg, you can read it at the CNN site.
But there was talk early on around the statute of limitations and there was some mention of a "novel theory" that Bragg was using to allow him to bring charges where the statute of limitations had already run out and it could be the tax fraud mentioned. We'll know more as this moves forward. But based on what I've read I still have a hard time seeing how this moves forward.
One thing I did notice however is that the DA's office wants the trial to start Jan 24, which is right at the peak of the Presidential primary season. And there are those among us who refuse to see that this is in any way political..... sigh
this particular trial is the least of trump's worries. it's a parking ticket compared to what's coming.
Here is an actual felony that is within the statute of limitations that could be pursued.
T here were unconfirmed reports from CNN last week that there would be 34 charges against Donald Trump, but Yahoo's Michael Isikoff has been able to confirm the felony counts.
§ 215.70 Unlawful grand jury disclosure
A person is guilty of unlawful grand jury disclosure when, being a grand juror, a public prosecutor, a grand jury stenographer, a grand jury interpreter, a police officer or a peace officer guarding a witness in a grand jury proceeding, or a clerk, attendant, warden or other public servant having official duties in or about a grand jury room or proceeding, or a public officer or public employee, he intentionally discloses to another the nature or substance of any grand jury testimony, or any decision, result or other matter attending a grand jury proceeding which is required by law to be kept secret, except in the proper discharge of his official duties or upon written order of the court.
Unlawful grand jury disclosure is a class E felony.
Yeah, I heard about that. While I'm not surprised that there were leaks around this I wonder if this will be investigated or will the powers to be just give it lip service and drop it.
This particular trial IMO should never have been brought as even after reading the indictment and the statement of fact I have a difficult time seeing how guilty convictions can be made here. This is a distraction.
[✘]
Not yet. That's a whole different court.
Trump will be spending the rest of his life in court
The slow-moving wheels of justice do eventually win out.
Who the hell do you think the leaks are coming from?
All the Repubs in the NYC DA office?
Now that's funny!
Jeffrey Greenfield:
Almost consensus skepticism and disappointment about the strength of this indictment on CNN, including among highly "non-Trumpers."
are they on the jury?
too bad there isn't one of those cost meters rolling, like the national debt, for trump's legal fees...
nice guy
Trumps speech tonight from Mara-Lago defending himself is nauseating.
Among other things he said he has spent "hundreds of millions of dollars" defending himself.
He just called the special counsel Jack Smith "a lunatic".
That's his standard M.O., attempt to smear and degrade anyone who opposes him. That extends to many institutions in our society. Over the years he has, and continues to, besmirch and undermine, among others, the intelligence community, the press, the FBI, and now, the judicial system.
Don't forget the EPA.
Never before ... has a PotUS spent so much on legal fees.
What makes you think that Trump is paying these bills?
where there's smoke ...
I was making a joke. He normally stiffs his attorneys from what I have heard.
Me too.
I’m sure that he is gratified that it isn’t his money that he is spending.
When has Trump ever paid his bills?
What makes you think the former 'president' pays his bills?
I don't think that he does with his own money, do you?
why should he, when there's at least 30 million brainless dipshits that are more than willing...
the new coup club clan...
looks like one of trump's attorneys may have gotten thru to him about his anti judicial remarks.
oops, spoke too soon...