Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump has been in the crosshairs of Special Counsel Jack Smith since last year, facing allegations that he attempted to overturn the 2020 election results. It seems the special counsel has bitten off more than he can chew, as Trump’s legal team has fired back with accusations of their own, claiming that Smith doesn’t quite have a firm grasp on the law.
In a fresh motion filed with Judge Tanya Chutkan, Trump’s attorneys, John Lauro and Todd Blanche, have asked for a pause in the proceedings until they can ensure that the Special Counsel’s Office is playing by the rules regarding their discovery obligations. It appears that Trump’s lawyers believe there’s a game of legal hide-and-seek going on, and they’re not about to play along without the full deck. They assert that Smith has “misstated the law,” and to be fair, when the government starts conducting itself like a bad magician, it’s only natural for the audience to demand a better show.
Nonstop lawfare allowing Jack Smith – illegitimate counsel "appointee" – to proceed with a non-ordinary filing of 180 pp. to proceed against Trump ignoring SCOTUS ruling on immunity. https://t.co/8MmpmoUwxA
— Elle (@L4Logic) September 24, 2024
The lawyers aren’t just throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping something sticks. They are specifically focusing on Smith’s claims that certain prosecutors tied to the case have no discovery responsibilities regarding materials held by the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office. This is particularly head-scratching since some of the same prosecutors previously led investigations that have now culminated in charges against Trump. It seems the special counsel is trying to pull a fast one, but Trump’s legal team is not having it.
The defense insists that Trump’s actions surrounding the 2020 election were far from nefarious—they were, in fact, official acts of his office. According to a ruling from the Supreme Court earlier this year, presidents generally enjoy certain immunities for their official functions. Chief Justice John Roberts has alluded to this concept, suggesting that only actions that stray outside constitutional duties lack this protective shield. So, in the eyes of Trump’s lawyers, they have a solid argument that could ultimately debunk the case against him.
Adding a nice layer of intrigue, the defense has brought up potential collusion between Smith’s office and the National Archives and Records Administration. They imply that there’s a cozy relationship at play aimed squarely at what they believe is the unjust targeting of Trump. According to Trump’s team, this entanglement creates serious risks to the integrity of government functions. When the bureaucracy starts holding hands behind the scenes, one has to wonder if the average American is really getting a fair shake in all of this.
As this case unfolds, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the legal chess match is far from over. Trump’s defense is battling not just against the listed charges but also appears to be on a quest to expose what they perceive as shady dealings in an effort to preserve their man’s constitutional rights. It’s a wild ride in the political circus, and everyone’s been served popcorn, whether they wanted it or not.
