Analysis of the Trump Indictment

It’s worse than we thought. It’s a mockery of the judicial system. There’s no there there.

There's a curious omission in the Donald Trump indictment and statement of facts –

The specific federal law Trump violated. pic.twitter.com/bsM32x4jhn

— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) April 4, 2023

“Couple of easy points: 1. The statute of limitations is violated, which may get this case tossed in its face. 2. The second crime, which is required to raise this misdemeanor to a felony, doesn’t apply under these circumstances and isn’t even fully explained. This is very sloppy…”

Bragg and the NY Democrats are requesting a trial in January of 2024, right in the middle of the Republican primaries.

Alvin Bragg’s unsealed indictment is an indictment of Alvin Bragg. Legitimate law schools will forever use this indictment to teach the concept of prosecutorial abuse of discretion. All Americans, regardless of political persuasions, should condemn this indictment as the travesty… https://t.co/UQshdUftsr

— John Ratcliffe (@JohnRatcliffe) April 4, 2023

I’ve read the entire indictment. This case is a total joke, will get tossed on legal appeal. This is an absolute gift to the Trump campaign. It’s as if Alvin Bragg is trying to get Trump elected. Complete embarrassment to New York City and its citizens.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 4, 2023

Couple of easy points: 1. The statute of limitations is violated, which may get this case tossed in its face. 2. The second crime, which is required to raise this misdemeanor to a felony, doesn’t apply under these circumstances and isn’t even fully explained. This is very sloppy…

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 4, 2023

This doesn’t even consider that Bragg and the NY Democrats are requesting a trial in January of 2024, right in the middle of the Republican primaries! I don’t believe we have ever seen a more grotesque and nakedly political criminal case brought in American history.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 4, 2023

The next hearing in New York vs Trump isn’t until December 4th. Many motions will be filed between now and then. Prosecution wants the trial to be in January of 2024, right in the middle of the 2024 primaries. These charges are complete garbage, FYI. That I believe will…

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 4, 2023

Here’s the full Trump indictment list

I’m seeing a very alarming pattern – every single “crime” was committed after President Trump was sworn into office

He wasn’t running his business – he was running the country!

So who actually did all this?!https://t.co/h1jirlCHlp

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) April 4, 2023

E Pluribus Trump

Analysis of the Trump Indictment

Curious Omissions from the Manhattan DA

By: Techno Fog, April 4

After nearly 8 years of investigations by federal and state authorities – spanning from Russian collusion to obstruction of justice to campaign finance violations to tax fraud – former president Donald Trump was indicted last week by the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg.

And today we saw the next step in the unprecedented prosecution of a former president and current GOP presidential candidate: Trump turned himself in at the Manhattan DA’s office.

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Trump arrived at approximately 1:30 p.m. for arraignment with thousands of supporters and demonstrators watching from the streets and millions watching from home or from work. It was the most most important courthouse appearance in recent memory to answer for one of the weakest indictments in New York history.

As has been reported, Trump was formally charged with 34 felonies – more on those below – and pleaded not guilty.

Here is the indictment that was just released this afternoon.

And here is the statement of facts.

Trump faces 34 counts relating to “Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, in violation of Penal Law § 175.10.” These charges relate to to bookkeeping records concerning a hush money payment of $130,000 to Stormy Daniels soon before the 2016 election; a $30,000 payment to a former Trump Tower doorman by AMI (National Enquirer); and an AMI/National Enquirer payment of $150,000 to a woman who said she had a sexual relationship with Trump when he was married.

The indictment specifies that Trump “made and caused false” entries in the business records of enterprises “kept and maintained by the Trump Organization.” Trump is said to have done this with the “intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission” of that crime. (Intent to defraud is construed broadly in New York, and can include acts that seek to avoid responsibility for a violation of law or to conceal offenses; there need not be financial harm.1)

Here’s an example relating to an invoice from Michael Cohen (Count 1):

 

That verbiage is repeated all throughout the 16 page indictment, with differences concerning the dates and the type of record (invoice, ledger, check, etc.) that was allegedly falsified, all in violation of NY Penal Law § 175.10.

Before we get to the law itself, and the Manhattan DA’s dubious, dangerous, unheard-of application of the law, let’s begin with a basic observation: Trump was overcharged. Here’s why. …

Keep reading….