Hi folks:
In this week’s Main Justice, Mary and I discuss three stark illustrations of Trump’s control over the Department of Justice: Todd Blanche’s confirmation process, James Comey’s new motions, and the collapse of the case against David Hearn (the Olympian wrongfully charged in the reflecting pool case). It is a testament to the White House’s effort to annihilate the rule of law in America.
We start with the latest on Todd Blanche’s confirmation. After the mildest of prodding from two Republican outgoing Senators, Blanche released a Sunday night written order rescinding the $1.776 “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to pacify their concerns. And by all measures, his paltry words were enough for the Senators. But in my estimation, Todd’s statement was “the world’s smallest fig leaf.” And Mary calls it “basically a press statement,” rather than a legal order. We explain the numerous ways that what Todd did is not remotely binding: he could pay convicted criminals taxpayer money with abandon (in fact DOJ has already done that using other funds). And he left in place the release of Trump (and family and companies) of prior tax liability.
Then, we turn to former FBI Director — and current criminal defendant — James Comey and his recent filing of multiple motions to dismiss and for other relief in his “seashell” indictment case. One is on the grounds of vindictive and selective prosecution, one on the charges not being a “true threat,” another challenging search warrants for lies and material omissions by the government, and another for discovery of what prosecutors said to the grand jury.
These new court filings reveal an array of legal issues with the Comey case, and also how much the legal rules and decency have been perverted by the Trump administration. For instance, Secret Service agents, instead of doing valuable work, used their time to surveil Comey and his wife even when they went to the grave site of their deceased son. The combination of alleged illegality, corruption of due process, and cruelty described in the new filings is mind-boggling.
Next, Mary and I detail why Jeanine Pirro’s “Reflecting Pool” case against Olympian David Hearn fell apart, after a disastrous rush to charge before obtaining the facts. Another perversion of the criminal justice system, by government actors in the White House, in the Department of the Interior, and in the Department of Justice.
And last up: Trump asks the Supreme Court to hear an appeal over E. Jean Caroll’s $83.3 million defamation verdict.
It is yet another week where the rule of law took a beating.
Stay engaged,
Andrew
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