Judge tells Trump lawyer he's 'losing all credibility with the court'

[speak easy]

Source: The Guardian

Things are not going well for Donald Trump as his lawyer, Todd Blanche, continues to make the claim that re-posting doesn’t violate the gag order.

Judge Merchan said:

Mr Blanche you’re losing all credibility, I have to tell you right now … You’re losing all credibility with the court. Is there any other argument you want to make?

Merchan is reserving decision on the prosecution’s contempt request.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/apr/23/trump-hush-money-trial-new-york-updates

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Trump lawyer Todd Blanche is saying that seven of the alleged 10 gag order violations are not, because they’re just re-posts.

“It’s not making a mockery of the gag order, your honor – it’s a close call,” Blanche said. "Re-posting an article from a news site or a news program … we don’t believe are a violation of the gag order."

Judge Juan Merchan asked whether there’s any case law on that.

I don’t have any case laws, your honor, it’s just common sense.

[riversedge]

1. "Merchan is reserving decision on the prosecution's contempt request." We all have wait

some more. Including Trump!!

[riversedge]

2. Trump lawyer Blanche is saying that seven of the alleged 10 gag order violations are not, because they're just re-posts.

what an idiot

35m ago10.39 EDT
Victoria Bekiempis


Trump lawyer Todd Blanche is saying that seven of the alleged 10 gag order violations are not, because they’re just re-posts.

“It’s not making a mockery of the gag order, your honor – it’s a close call,” Blanche said.

Re-posting an article from a news site or a news program … we don’t believe are a violation of the gag order.

Judge Juan Merchan asked whether there’s any case law on that.

I don’t have any case laws, your honor, it’s just common sense.





https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/apr/23/trump-hush-money-trial-new-york-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6627c7bf8f0839cf006b0f60#block-6627c7bf8f0839cf006b0f60

[speak easy]

3. Added to the OP. Thanks.

[Bayard]

10. Smart

Telling the judge he doesn't have any common sense.

[ShazzieB]

13. Is he an idiot or just a slimy weasel?

Last edited Tue Apr 23, 2024, 03:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Does he really believe that TSF didn't violate the gag order with the reports, or was he just throwing stuff at the wall to see if anything sticks? I can't help wondering.

[TBF]

14. Probably doing his very best to help his weasel client - that's what attorneys are supposed to do.

Can you imagine being Trump's attorney and trying to put a positive spin on all the crap he does?

[Kablooie]

21. Anything Trump reposts tells his millions of followers

This is what he believes, therefore he is stating his view.
Its just common sense.

[riversedge]

4. Prosecutor Conroy has just said that prosecutors are not seeking jail time for Trump's violations of the gag order

Even if trump gets the max fine it would only be $10,000
That is pocket change. damn


1h ago10.12 EDT
Victoria Bekiempis
Victoria Bekiempis

Prosecutor Christopher Conroy has just said that prosecutors are not seeking jail time for Trump’s violations of the gag order.

We are not yet seeking incarceratory penalty. Defendant seems to be angling for that … We are asking the court to impose the maximum $1,000 fine for each violation.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/apr/23/trump-hush-money-trial-new-york-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6627c1798f08f2c42148273c#block-6627c1798f08f2c42148273c

[PSPS]

23. He wouldn't pay it. His cult members would, either outright or via another "fundraising" grift.

[Miguelito Loveless]

5. Right after this exchange, the judge took a break

and Trump immediately attacked the judge online, demanding him to recuse himself.

Anyone of us would be in a jail cell LONG before this point. I begin to think our criminal justice system in institutionally incapable of punishing the rich/powerful. They just don't want to set a precedent that the rich are subject to the law as the rest of us proles.

[AllaN01Bear]

7. hear hear. agreee

[AdamGG]

16. It's too bad that the judge cannot rely on medieval precedent

Removing Trump's tongue and fingers could resolve a lot of issues.

[KS Toronado]

20. Was that still on the books in 1864?

[Orrex]

8. "It's not another attempted murder because I used the same knife again."

[Irish_Dem]

9. It wasn't my idea to rob the bank, I just read about it online.

[Kablooie]

11. Still no consequences for Trump.

$10000 is not a consequence.
He is still being allowed to run roughshod over the legal system with no consequences.
This judge is big on warnings and impotent on punishments, as are all of them.
If he’s found guilty he will be given a few months probation at worst.
Our justice system is useless regarding Trump.

[EndlessWire]

12. Don't be so hard on this judge.

He is the Judge. He has a responsibility to see that all the legalities are carried out without mishap. This defendant knows how to manipulate the system, and has lawyers who have surrendered their autonomy and are just letting Trump tell them how to proceed.

Jeopardy has attached. The Judge probably would like to take Trump out back and just shoot him. This Judge has a body with nerves, emotions, and reacts to stress the same as everyone does. But, he can't let anything pull him off center just so Trump can yell, "New Trial" to the Appellates, or worse.

He's going to levy a fine. That's what he is thinking about. He knows that no matter what amount he levies, Trump will appeal. So, maybe...

[Kablooie]

18. You're right. The judge has to rule by the book.

Or Trump would be able to screw up the whole case.

It’s the system that needs work.
There should be some serious way to control him but there isn’t.
The problem is that the case could possibly be compromised as a result.

Now that Trumps tactics are so public, other wealthy assholes may emulate him. There should be some discussion about the system in legal circles to see if there could be changes made to handle cases like this.

[onenote]

17. The DA is the one who chose not to seek incarceration.And the amount of the fine is limited by statute.

So do you think the DA -- who is the one who chose to bring this case -- a case that may experts think is aggressive insofar as it seeks to establish that Trump committed a felony -- is allowing Trump to run roughshod over the legal system with no consequences?

[TheRickles]

15. Here's an interesting take from DUer Hugin explaining why the judge may be avoiding harsher punishment.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=18887711|

[edbermac]

19. Losing all credibility?

It’s a Trump lawyer. They have no credibility to begin with.

[PSPS]

22. "Merchan is reserving decision" means cowering in the corner, trembling with fear of trump.

"Justice" amerikkan style.

[0rganism]

24. $1000 per violation barely qualifies as pocket change to TSF. At least the fine should double every time.

Or, perhaps, jail time remains a consideration. Maybe take away his social media access for a week, see what happens.