Staff Reports
The courtroom drama surrounding former President Donald Trump continues to unfold in a New York courtroom, filled with more twists and turns than a roller coaster at a state fair. Trump’s legal team, clearly not one to shy away from a verbal sparring match, recently asked Judge Juan Merchan for permission to file a detailed counter-response. This response is aimed at what they label “misguided and inaccurate” assertions put forth by the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office. Of course, they fancy themselves more accurate than the folks who apparently think that a former president should be treated like a common criminal.
This legal back-and-forth is about as thrilling as a soap opera, but with significantly higher stakes. Trump’s attorneys are looking to shred Bragg’s latest filing, which claims that the defense misrepresented critical legal and factual issues. This comes on the heels of a motion filed back in July, which argued that the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity should allow Trump to overturn a jury’s guilty verdict on 34 felony counts. Apparently, in the alternative reality of the Manhattan DA’s office, a former president can be treated just like any average Joe facing judicial consequences – an idea Trump’s team seems determined to toss right out the window like a soggy campaign flyer.
NEW – Trump lawyers seek to correct Manhattan district attorney’s ‘misguided’ claims on immunity https://t.co/J5jXmr5cVS
— Overton (@OvertonLive) July 31, 2024
The legal eagles representing Trump argue that the prosecutors have, quite amusingly, failed to address some key points in the defense’s argument for presidential immunity. Instead, they contend that a detailed 30-page reply is necessary to ensure that Judge Merchan isn’t misled by the DA’s office. It appears their legal strategy hinges on the belief that the court should fully grasp the Supreme Court’s fresh take on presidential immunity before making any decisions. Because, after all, when it comes to legal skirmishes, who doesn’t want to throw in a few extra pages for good measure?
Bragg’s office has come out swinging, accusing Trump’s representation of not adequately preserving their arguments about presidential immunity during the trial. They suggest that Trump’s defenders simply dropped the ball, failing to provide evidence they are now clinging to like it’s a life raft. Naturally, Trump’s team vehemently disagrees, insisting that they indeed raised objections and that Judge Merchan acknowledged their efforts. One would have to wonder whether this courtroom tango really needs an audience or if it’s sufficient to be entertained by looming judges and rising legal bills.
Adding another layer of absurdity, the prosecution has claimed that any alleged misconduct by Trump during the infamous hush money scandal does not fall under the auspices of his presidential duties, which should rightfully afford him some measure of immunity. The defense has countered, asserting that Trump’s actions and discussions about investigations, including the ever-growing FEC debacle, actually fall well within his duties to ensure that the laws are executed faithfully. This would suggest that even presidents have a right to talk to their legal teams about the rules of the game.
The fates now lie in the hands of Judge Merchan, who is set to reveal his decision regarding Trump’s motion to overturn the conviction on September 6. If he turns Trump down, sentencing could go ahead on September 18, which means that the former president could be facing a lengthier vacation behind bars than he would during a golf getaway. Whether Trump ends up in a jail cell, under house arrest, or simply dodging fines, one thing is clear: this courtroom drama is far from over, and as they say, the legal show must go on.
