 |
| credit: Rivers BC Idonwanna sez: Election 2024 is night of living dead! |
Trump cannot keep his slanderous mouth shut, so E. Jean Caroll sued him again this time for $10 million. The Orchre Menance called Ms. Caroll a "wack job" and denied knowing her during the CNN town hall broadcast and on his web platform.
Other important events TWIT: Steward Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers militia group, was sentenced to 18 years for seditious conspiracy. The prosecution asked for twenty-five, but they got the judge to agree to a sentence enhancement for "terrorism". Judge Mehta told Rhodes at the sentencing hearing,“I dare say, Mr. Rhodes – and I never have said this to anyone I have sentenced – you pose an ongoing threat and peril to our democracy and the fabric of this country,” A second leader from Florida, Kelly Meggs, was given a twelve year sentence. The convicted felons hope for a pardon from the leader, who is still at large.
Jack Smith may be coming to an end of his investigation of the Mar-a-Lago Papers case according to reports. It seems his prosecutors have interviewed everybody at the resort including housekeepers and maintenance staff about what they know of the classified documents stashed by Individual One. It is undeniably clear he did not fully cooperate with the grand jury when it subpoenaed him in May 2022 to return government records. His staff practiced moving boxes of documents before the subpoena was even received. Boxes were moved by valet Walt Nauta and another staff person one day before the DOJ visited the resort to collect the government records. Smith is inquiring into what his motives were for hoarding classified material. He issued a subpoena to the Trump Organization for financial records, apparently looking for a nexus between classified documents Individual One kept in his desk, and business dealings with the Saudis.
The Saudi Royal family has invested in Trump golf courses through its sovereign fund. LIV Golf is 93% owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. This year Trump golf courses will host three tournaments for LIV Golf. It is no wild speculation to think he may have shown classified material to Saudi representatives visiting his Florida office. Witnesses have testified under oath that he kept classified material in the open on his desk, and showed it to aides and visitors. Some of the classified records he illegally hoarded relate to Iran's nuclear weapons program, which the Saudis would undoubtably be interested to see since Iran is a sworn enemy of the Kingdom. If he did reveal classified information to a foreign government, it would be a serious violation of the Espionage Act, as well as provide a pecuniary motive for his seemingly quixotic refusal to turn over all government records in his possession when the government demanded them. Trump's lawyers are clearly worried about the Papers Case. They asked in a letter to Attorney General Garland to speak to him about the prosecution.
Fanni Willis is gearing up to indict Trumpilini for election interference and RICO charges in Georgia. An indictment is expected to be handed down in August or September. Trump will make history as the only presidential candidate running for office while a criminal defendant. District Attorney Willis has made a reputation for her use of Georgia's Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization statute. She indicted 35 Atlanta school teachers charged with falsifying test results, and the rapper Young Thug and his alleged gang. Willis hired a known expert on RICO prosecutions, John E. Floyd who wrote the book, to be part of her team of prosecutors According to a Brooking Institution analysis, Trumpillini could be charged with election fraud, forgery, making false statements, and witness tampering. Georgia has precedent for bringing a RICO prosecution against public officials; RICO is no longer just for the Tony Sopranos of the world. It could not happen to a nicer guy!
Of course the ultimate criminal case against the former guy is the January 6th Conspiracy. The investigation is on-going, but does not appear to be close to a conclusion given the breath of the attempted coup and the number of people involved. Prosecuting Trumpilini for leading an attempt to overthrow a national election is a historically momentous prosecution fraught with political overtones. Smith has to get it right the first time.
 |
| credit: B. Day |