Trump hasn't immediately appealed a devastating Mar-a-Lago ruling. This may be why.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

The ruling against TFG on the crime-fraud exception is a major deal. The DC Circuit Court dissolved the stay in record time and it is clear that the judge found that TFG probably committed a crime. The attorney has testified before the grand jury and so it is unlikely that an appeal to the SCOTUS will now help TFG. I agree with the analysis that TFG did not appeal because the facts found by the court are so bad that TFG does not want the SCOTUS to focus on such facts

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/evan-corcoran-mar-a-lago-trump-appeal-rcna76501?cid=sm_npd_ms_tw_ma&taid=641e2b9559ad220001b315f6&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Although Trump’s team asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay Howell’s ruling, it refused his request Wednesday after a lightning round of briefing. And therefore, Corcoran is required to produce the documents — in fact, he might already have done so — as well as testify.

That development has led to all sorts of questions from friends, family, colleagues and even near-strangers as I travel with my family this week. For one, yes, it is indeed unusual, if not unheard of, for a lawyer to be litigating against a party one day and then testifying under court-ordered examination by that same party the next one. But putting aside that oddity, folks have asked me another, harder question: After the D.C. Circuit refused Trump’s request for a stay on Wednesday, why didn’t Trump seek immediate Supreme Court intervention to stop Corcoran’s testimony?

Trump and his legal team aren’t saying, but I’ll venture a guess. It’s not solely because he would have lost, as some have speculated, although any rejection by the court would be as embarrassing as it would be legally damaging. After all, Trump has made clear he believes this Supreme Court — controlled by conservative justices, three of whom he appointed — owes him one.

But my hunch is that Trump’s team let Corcoran’s testimony happen because of what’s likely involved in any request to pause, much less, review a crime-fraud-related ruling: the evidence. Put another way, if Trump had petitioned the Supreme Court to stay Corcoran’s testimony and document production, the justices would have seen some, if not all, of what Judge Howell and the three-judge panel on the D.C. Circuit have already reviewed: proof that Trump misled Corcoran and engaged in criminal conduct.

And for someone whose one last hope, if he is ultimately charged or tried by any of the multiple entities now investigating him, is that same Supreme Court, letting the justices see evidence of his alleged crimes now would be a bridge too far. Even if that means Corcoran’s notes and transcripts of “personal audio recordings” are now in the DOJ’s control, even if Corcoran had to return to the grand jury as a witness the day after arguing the application of Trump’s other privileges, Trump can’t afford to lose the Supreme Court yet.

[COL Mustard]

1. I wondered about that too

I assumed he would appeal that decision just like he appealed everything else. He’s clearly been trying to run out the clock, but hopefully his stall tactics are ending now.

[flying_wahini]

2. Even if the SCOTUS did see the evidence it's not going to help tag

I think they are gonna shake him off like a sticky booger and not look back.
They got abortion passed and the rest of his crimes they won’t stand for.


At least, I hope so.

[Thomas Hurt]

3. Problem with that is, why would the Imams give a shit if the Pig was proven dirty.

Does anyone really think that they don't already understand what kind of a dirtbag he is.

Who thinks the Imams would somehow show some integrity now? LOL.

Who would believe that they think Judge Howell is a liar and made it all up?

If the Imams were concerned, do they not have the ability to read Judge Howell's orders for themselves now?

Or perhaps I am way too cynical.

[Scottie Mom]

4. Yes. That exception is devastating.

What's interesting, when I was a newbie, wee atty, I asked a very, very experienced criminal defense atty about how and why some of his defendant clients got caught. Of course, my first statements in our dialogue centered on something that would have been in an episode of Law & Order -- LEOs and the DAs were diligent and quick -- and asked if that lead to the arrests and convictions. The answer from the wise, experienced atty was, "No."

So, of course, I had to asked what caused it and I got a one-word answer: "Arrogance."

You know, with the events happening today, I think about that one word answer I got 40 years ago. Some things never change.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Hence the timing of the Waco Distraction

Predictable, and pitch perfect if you know how to read Trump's comb over.

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. I tuned into the live coverage on You Tube

Trump hadn't come out yet, but they were playing "Livin' On a Prayer" over the loudspeaker.

[littlemissmartypants]

8. I checked the weather and he chose the hottest part of the day to appear. With any luck

they'll all pass out from heat stroke.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. TFG does not want people to talk about Mar-a-Lago

Link to tweet