Staff Reports
Jack Smith, the special counsel with seemingly limitless energy for targeting President Trump, appears to be winding down his federal prosecutions. In a bizarre twist of fate, a New York judge is poised to determine whether the conviction of Trump in his “hush money” trial should be dismissed even before any potential sentencing is discussed. This situation could be likened to a soap opera, complete with shocking plot twists and outrageous character decisions, but it’s based in the real world where actual consequences might be at stake.
Despite the melodrama surrounding Smith’s relentless legal pursuits, most legal scholars don’t foresee the incoming president-elect being carted off to prison anytime soon, which is a relief for many across the nation. The true comedy gold lies in the fact that while Smith and his crew scramble to tidy up their loose ends, there’s still one more legal circus act coming up—Trump’s ongoing criminal prosecution regarding “election meddling” in Georgia, courtesy of the tireless Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis.
Had he lost, there was a fair chance that Donald Trump would have gone to prison.
Instead, once back in the White House, Mr Trump will be able to quash his two federal indictments and the two state cases against him are all but certain to be frozen https://t.co/8ikk3EDtat 👇
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) November 10, 2024
Willis, recently fortified by her successful re-election campaign, is seen as a formidable figure by her supporters, who feel she’s got a mandate from the public. With such backing, it’s difficult to imagine she would dare to drop the charges against Trump anytime soon. It seems that the saga from August 2023, where Trump and 18 others faced indictment for allegedly plotting to overturn the state’s 2020 election results, is far from over. Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act is being brandished like a political sword, aimed at a former president now facing turbulent waters.
Amid the legal wrangling, there’s an ongoing debate regarding Willis’ relationship with her special prosecutor, Nathan Wade. Her romantic entanglement has put the proceedings in a mysterious holding pattern as an appeals court deliberates the suitability of her case management. Even if she were to be removed, there remains an undeniable likelihood that she will persist in her quest to prosecute Trump—a delightful prospect for her allies who thrive on the theatrics of political confrontations.
Adding a cherry on this legal sundae, Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp is about as helpful as a chocolate teapot when it comes to issuing pardons, since the power rests with the Board of Pardons and Paroles, not him. This board only considers cases after a conviction and sentencing, leaving Trump’s fate firmly in the hands of a group that has yet another reason to play politics for effectively controlling Georgia’s legal landscape.
As for the federal cases, they seem to be on their own buggy ride down a bumpy road, with Smith looking to wind things down before Trump’s inauguration. Requests for pauses and the cancellation of deadlines paint a vivid picture of a prosecution team scrambling to salvage what’s left of their credibility. If all else fails, placing his legal future in the hands of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council may just be Trump’s best strategy to shake off the looming specter of this elaborate charade. Several steps remain for victory, but hope persists with humor at this seemingly never-ending legal circus.
