Legal analyst Lisa Rubin believes that former Trump aide Hope Hicks will be forthcoming in her testimony in the hush money trial, citing her history of cooperation with government investigators. The trial will determine whether Trump falsified business records over hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Meanwhile, former White House special counsel Norm Eisen suggests that Trump's legal team is displaying "extraordinary desperation" as the ex-president faces multiple criminal indictments, including those related to the 2020 election and classified documents.
A judge in Georgia rejected former President Donald Trump's attempt to dismiss a criminal indictment related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election on free speech grounds, ruling that the alleged speech and conduct were not protected political speech. The judge's decision allows the state racketeering case against Trump to move forward, although a trial date has not been set. Trump's lawyer expressed disagreement with the ruling and indicated that they will explore their options, while the Fulton County district attorney's office declined to comment.
Donald Trump's defense team argued in court that his criminal indictment in Georgia should be dismissed because his comments about the 2020 election are protected by the First Amendment. Prosecutors claim Trump's statements were part of a broader conspiracy to overturn the election, outlined in a racketeering indictment. The defense's argument was previously rejected in a separate federal prosecution in Washington, D.C. The case took a detour due to a conflict of interest involving the district attorney, and the judge ruled that the appearance of impropriety remained. Defense lawyers are seeking to appeal the disqualification ruling, and the appeals court must now decide whether to take the matter.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg supports a 30-day delay in Donald Trump's hush money trial, citing an abundance of caution and the need for sufficient time to review new materials. Trump had requested a 90-day delay due to the U.S. Attorney’s Office providing 73,000 pages of discovery, which Bragg stated were largely irrelevant to the case. The trial, initially set for March 25, may be delayed, marking another win for Trump, who faces 34 felony counts related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential bid and has pleaded not guilty.
Special counsel Jack Smith is seeking permission to present evidence to a Washington, D.C. jury about Donald Trump's previous attempts to sow doubt about the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections, which laid the foundation for his criminal effort to overturn the 2020 election. The evidence, known as 404(b) evidence, includes Trump's false claims of election fraud, his refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, his exhortation to the Proud Boys, his retaliation against Republican allies, and his alignment with Jan. 6 rioters. Prosecutors argue that this evidence will help jurors assess Trump's intent leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
The special counsel's office has filed a response to Donald Trump's motion to strike references to the violence of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot from his criminal indictment, stating that Trump is responsible for the events as they were the "culmination" of his conspiracies to overturn the 2020 election. The special counsel also argued against Trump's attempts to dismiss the case, stating that he stands alone in American history for his alleged crimes and that there is no indication of selective or vindictive prosecution. Trump has made four attempts to dismiss the federal indictment, including on the basis of presidential immunity, and the trial is scheduled to begin on March 4.
Former President Donald Trump's lawyers have urged a New York judge to dismiss criminal charges related to hush money payments, arguing that the indictment was filed years after the conduct at issue and interfered with Trump's ongoing presidential campaign. They also seek a hearing to inquire about grand jury leaks and obtain more specific information about the prosecution's evidence. Trump was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, relating to how he reimbursed his former attorney Michael Cohen for a payment to Stormy Daniels. His lawyers claim the records were personal, not business, and the payments came from his own pocket.
The criminal indictment against Hunter Biden for illegal gun possession could potentially be challenged and dismissed on constitutional grounds due to the new and broader interpretation of the 2nd Amendment that has gained traction in conservative courts. Recent court rulings have expanded the scope of the 2nd Amendment, arguing that gun restrictions should only be upheld if they are consistent with early American history. Lawyers for the Biden administration are urging the Supreme Court to uphold laws that restrict gun rights for individuals who are not considered law-abiding and responsible citizens. However, legal experts suggest that Hunter Biden's indictment could be challenged based on the argument that gun possession laws should not apply to individuals with past nonviolent conduct.
Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to a Georgia criminal indictment accusing him of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results and requested a separate trial from his co-defendants. The indictment includes 13 felony counts, such as racketeering, for pressuring state officials and allegedly setting up a fake slate of electors. Trump's lawyers argued for a different trial schedule due to insufficient time to prepare. This is Trump's fourth indictment, with trials scheduled in New York, Florida, and Washington. Despite the legal battles, Trump remains the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination.
Former President Donald Trump has responded to criticism from Nancy Pelosi, calling her a "Wicked Witch" and denying being a "scared puppy" during his arraignment on federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump's comments come after Pelosi described him as a "scared puppy" who "knows the truth that he lost the election." Trump's third criminal indictment stems from his claims of election fraud, which led to the January 6 Capitol riot. He has also attacked other individuals involved in his case, including Mike Pence and prosecutors in the Department of Justice.
Newly released court filings reveal that federal agents investigating former President Donald Trump's connection to classified materials expressed concerns about the whereabouts of certain documents during their search of his Mar-a-Lago estate last year. Security camera footage obtained from Trump's company showed an employee, later identified as Walt Nauta, moving boxes out of a storage area where classified documents were known to be kept. Nauta removed 64 boxes from the storage room and took them to Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago, returning only 30 before federal authorities arrived. The search yielded over 100 classified documents, and Trump has been charged with multiple offenses, including willful retention of national defense information. He has pleaded not guilty.
Donald Trump vowed to use the power of the federal government to personally target Joe Biden's family, should he be elected to the presidency in 2024, as he boarded a private jet to Miami where he is set to face his second criminal indictment this year. Trump has been indicted on 37 criminal counts related to his handling of presidential records and separately faces 34 counts brought by prosecutors in New York related to a hush money scheme set up during his 2016 campaign for president. The Justice Department is thought to be investigating Mr Biden’s son Hunter for a handful of tax law violations, as well as for potentially having made a false statement while in the process of purchasing a firearm.
Former President Donald Trump faces a potential second criminal indictment in Georgia, where a local prosecutor is nearing completion of a more kaleidoscopic indictment charging not only Mr. Trump, but perhaps a dozen or more of his allies. The investigation has targeted a wide range of conduct centered around efforts to subvert the democratic process and overturn Mr. Trump’s 2020 election loss. The choice to pursue a narrowly focused indictment or a more sprawling one carries potential risks and benefits on both sides.
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal arraignment, along with his family and the court, received unsubstantiated threats after the hearing. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and other officials in his office also continue to receive threats. The NYPD detail assigned to Bragg's office is providing extra security to all impacted district attorney staff, including line prosecutors and top executives with the office. Court security officers are providing additional protective measures to the presiding judge and court as a precaution. Investigations into the threats are active and ongoing.
Former President Donald Trump returned to New York City for his criminal indictment on charges related to his hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Small crowds of supporters and critics gathered outside Trump Tower, while local authorities are on high alert for protests expected on Tuesday. Trump's legal team has filed a motion opposing news cameras in the courtroom to document the former president's arraignment and subsequent trial. Trump has added a new high-powered lawyer, Todd Blanche, to his legal team to handle the criminal indictment.
