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Trump Faces 34 Felonies at Trial. But Was There a Crime?

I can’t tell you how many people I know who do not like former President Donald Trump yet nonetheless smell prosecutorial overreach in Manhattan.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged the former president with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

The case began with Michael Cohen, Trump’s onetime fixer, making a “hush money” payment to the former adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels to keep her from revealing information about an alleged sexual relationship with Trump in 2006. Bragg used the fact that Cohen paid $130,000 to Daniels in 2016, when Trump was running for president, as a pretext to turn a moldy misdemeanor offense into a felony.

But is it even illegal? This trial showcases something rich men and big corporations have been doing for years—paying off mistresses or wronged staffers with cash settlements with little public scrutiny, thanks to nondisclosure agreements.

I don’t like it, but it’s not a crime.

On Tuesday, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified that during a 2015 meeting in Trump Tower, he told Trump, Cohen, and campaign stalwart Hope Hicks that he wanted to help the Trump campaign, if behind the scenes.

What followed was “catch and kill,” the term for the scheme of paying to get dirt on a public figure, then killing the story, as happened with another alleged Trump gal pal, Karen McDougal. The National Enquirer paid her $150,000 for a story that never ran.

Trump has denied that anything extramarital occurred with McDougal and Daniels. But as Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told CNN, “You don’t pay someone $130,000 not to have sex with you.”

Back to Cohen. He’s a flawed witness to be sure, who in 2018 pleaded guilty to charges that included tax evasion and lying to Congress when he testified about Trump, his former master. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison.

Then, last year, Cohen claimed that he lied when he admitted to tax evasion. A more careful prosecutor would not hang a case on an accomplished liar.

Given his capacity for self-pity and self-sabotage, it’s no surprise that Trump told reporters after the second day of trial, “I’m not allowed to defend myself.”

Trump also continued to throw shade at Judge Juan Merchan, whose gag order, Trump maintained, robbed him of his “right to free speech.” Trump also offered that Merchan “should recuse himself.”

Pecker testified that he was glad to help by running “positive stories about Mr. Trump,” as well as negative stories about his campaign rivals. I’m guessing many Big Media hotshots feel the same way—about President Joe Biden.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.

The post Trump Faces 34 Felonies at Trial. But Was There a Crime? appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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Report: Anti-Trump Lawyers, Media Pundits Hold Secret Weekly Strategy Calls on Trump Legal Cases

A group of anti-Trump lawyers and media analysts are secretly convening weekly via Zoom to discuss and strategize over former President Donald Trump's legal cases, according to a report.

The post Report: Anti-Trump Lawyers, Media Pundits Hold Secret Weekly Strategy Calls on Trump Legal Cases appeared first on Breitbart.

Judge Juan Merchan’s ‘Manifestly Unfair’ Gag Order on Trump Comes Under Serious Legal Scrutiny

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan could fine former President Donald Trump up to $11,000 for violating a gag order that his legal team argues prevents him from defending himself publicly in a case where a Democrat district attorney is seeking to put him in jail.

The post Judge Juan Merchan’s ‘Manifestly Unfair’ Gag Order on Trump Comes Under Serious Legal Scrutiny appeared first on Breitbart.

Gag Order Hearing: D.A. Alvin Bragg Backs Down from Wanting Trump in Jail

District Attorney Alvin Bragg reportedly backed down from asking New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan to jail former President Donald Trump for allegedly violating a gag order.

The post Gag Order Hearing: D.A. Alvin Bragg Backs Down from Wanting Trump in Jail appeared first on Breitbart.

Donald Trump Hush Money Trial to Begin with All Jurors Seated

Former President Donald Trump's hush money trial in Manhattan is set to hear opening arguments on Monday, after a full jury of 12 jurors and six alternates were seated on Friday.

The post Donald Trump Hush Money Trial to Begin with All Jurors Seated appeared first on Breitbart.

Michael Avenatti: Trump's Legal Team 'Contacted' Him, 'More than Happy to Testify'

The former attorney for adult entertainment star Stormy Daniels, Michael Avenatti, claims that former President Donald Trump's legal team has "contacted" him, and says he would be willing to testify.

The post Michael Avenatti: Trump’s Legal Team ‘Contacted’ Him, ‘More than Happy to Testify’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Reporter: Potential Trump Jurors Are 'More Left-of-Center Than Not'

Court reporter Maggie Haberman's statement confirms a widely held belief among Republicans that former President Donald Trump will not receive a fair criminal trial.

The post Reporter: Potential Trump Jurors Are ‘More Left-of-Center Than Not’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Who Are the 12 Jurors Seated in the Trump Hush Money Trial?

Here is a breakdown of the 12 jurors seated in the trial of former President Donald Trump. The trial is taking place in solidly-Democrat Manhattan, making it challenging for Trump's defense to find fair and impartial jurors.

The post Who Are the 12 Jurors Seated in the Trump Hush Money Trial? appeared first on Breitbart.

Dismissed Trump Juror: Trump Looked 'Bored,' 'Less Orange'

One of two jurors who have been dismissed from former President Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York said the former president looked "bored" and "less orange."

The post Dismissed Trump Juror: Trump Looked ‘Bored,’ ‘Less Orange’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Potential Trump Case Juror Has Son Who Works for a House Democrat, Claims 'No Feelings' About Trump

A woman whose son works for a House Democrat told the court that it would not affect her ability to serve as a juror on the Trump hush money case and be fair and impartial.

The post Potential Trump Case Juror Has Son Who Works for a House Democrat, Claims ‘No Feelings’ About Trump appeared first on Breitbart.

Trump: Political Opponents Trying to Get Me Off the Campaign Trail

Former President Donald Trump said his political opponents are trying to get him off the campaign trail and suggested it does not seem to be working.

The post Trump: Political Opponents Trying to Get Me Off the Campaign Trail appeared first on Breitbart.

Prospective Juror Who Said She Could Remain Unbiased Admits 'Not a Fan' of Trump

A prospective juror who reportedly told the court she could remain unbiased in former President Donald Trump's criminal trial admitted in an interview this week that she is "not a fan" of him, listing various reasons including his comments on China, which she claimed made her "angry."

The post Prospective Juror Who Said She Could Remain Unbiased Admits ‘Not a Fan’ of Trump appeared first on Breitbart.

Meet 7 of Trump's Jurors: Nurse, Foreman, Lawyers, Teacher, Engineer, Consultant

The judge presiding over former President Donald Trump's criminal trial swore in 7 jurors Tuesday, 4 men and 3 women from different backgrounds.

The post Meet 7 of Trump’s Jurors: Nurse, Foreman, Lawyers, Teacher, Engineer, Consultant appeared first on Breitbart.

Donald Trump Visits NYC Bodega Where Worker Was Wrongfully Prosecuted by Alvin Bragg

Former President Donald Trump visited a bodega in New York City where a worker was attacked, robbed, and wrongfully prosecuted for murder by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

The post Donald Trump Visits NYC Bodega Where Worker Was Wrongfully Prosecuted by Alvin Bragg appeared first on Breitbart.

Potential Juror Dismissed After Trump's Legal Team Finds 'Lock Him Up' Posts on Social Media

As day two of former President Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial continued, attorneys for the former president had a potential juror dismissed after they found posts calling for Trump to be jailed.

The post Potential Juror Dismissed After Trump’s Legal Team Finds ‘Lock Him Up’ Posts on Social Media appeared first on Breitbart.

Watch Live: Donald Trump Speaks in New York Following Second Day in Court

Former President Donald Trump speaks in New York City following the second day of his trial by District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Tuesday, April 16.

The post Watch Live: Donald Trump Speaks in New York Following Second Day in Court appeared first on Breitbart.

First 6 Jurors Selected in Trump Hush Money Trial After Questioning of Anti-Trump Social Media Posts

The first six jurors were selected in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial on Tuesday afternoon, after a two-day process, whittled down from a potential 96 potential candidates.

The post First 6 Jurors Selected in Trump Hush Money Trial After Questioning of Anti-Trump Social Media Posts appeared first on Breitbart.

Lara Trump: Donald Trump Raised $1.5M After Day One of Trial

The massive single-day haul supports Donald Trump's belief that his legal challenges might come back and haunt Democrats.

The post Lara Trump: Donald Trump Raised $1.5M After Day One of Trial appeared first on Breitbart.

Breitbart News Daily Podcast Ep. 518: Trump Attorney Jesse Binnall on the Trump Trials

Trump attorney Jesse Binnall gives an insider’s take on the state of play in former President Donald Trump’s court cases, including the so-called “hush money” trial underway this week in New York City.

The post Breitbart News Daily Podcast Ep. 518: Trump Attorney Jesse Binnall on the Trump Trials appeared first on Breitbart.

Trump Trial: At Least 50 Potential Jurors Excused from First Pool

Thirty-four of the 96 potential jurors remain from the first pool in the juror selection process for President Donald Trump's criminal trial, court room journalists reported. 

The post Trump Trial: At Least 50 Potential Jurors Excused from First Pool appeared first on Breitbart.

No Jurors Selected on Day One of Trump Hush Money Trial

As the first day of former President Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial came to an end, no jurors were selected out of almost a hundred prospective jurors after many of them said they lacked the ability to be impartial.

The post No Jurors Selected on Day One of Trump Hush Money Trial appeared first on Breitbart.

'Go DEI': MSNBC's Reid Calls Black People Prosecuting Trump 'Wonderfully Poetic'

By: Pam Key · Pam Key

MSNBC host Joy Reid said Monday on her network's coverage of former President Donald Trump's trial that it was "wonderfully poetic" the prosecutors in several of the cases against former President Donald Trump are black.

The post ‘Go DEI’: MSNBC’s Reid Calls Black People Prosecuting Trump ‘Wonderfully Poetic’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Judge May Force Trump to Skip Son Barron's High School Graduation

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has yet to say that former President Donald Trump can attend his son Barron Trump's high school graduation, refusing to rule on the former president's request to not attend the trial that specific day for that event.

The post Judge May Force Trump to Skip Son Barron’s High School Graduation appeared first on Breitbart.

Donald Trump Walks Into Trial: 'Political Persecution ... Honored to Be Here' 

"This is really an attack on a political opponent," Donald Trump said about his criminal trial before entering a New York courtroom Monday.

The post Donald Trump Walks Into Trial: ‘Political Persecution … Honored to Be Here’  appeared first on Breitbart.

Unprecedented Trump Criminal Trial Begins with Jury Selection

Former President Donald Trump's unprecedented criminal trial began Monday morning with jury selection, the first day of a process that could span two weeks.

The post Unprecedented Trump Criminal Trial Begins with Jury Selection appeared first on Breitbart.

Judge Grants Donald Trump's Request to Reconsider Gag Order

An appeals court judge permitted the full Appellate Division First Department to consider relaxing a sweeping gag order against Donald Trump.

The post Judge Grants Donald Trump’s Request to Reconsider Gag Order appeared first on Breitbart.

Judge Merchan Gags Donald Trump in New York Criminal Case

Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing former President Donald Trump's criminal case in Manhattan, issued a gag order against the 45th president on Tuesday.

The post Judge Merchan Gags Donald Trump in New York Criminal Case appeared first on Breitbart.

Laying It On Thick: Trump Charged With 34 Felonies

Laying It On Thick: Trump Charged With 34 Felonies
From PJ Media, a piece that was written before Trump’s court appearance Tuesday: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has apparently decided that as long as he is going to drive us into banana republic territory, he might as well put the pedal to the metal: he is reportedly planning to charge Donald Trump with not one, but […]

Shut Up, Donald: Federal Judge to Place Gag Order on Trump Ahead of Arrest

Shut Up, Donald: Federal Judge to Place Gag Order on Trump Ahead of Arrest
New in PJ Media: Ever since the news broke about his indictment, Donald Trump has been rising in the polls and getting a big boost in campaign donations, demonstrating that the whole banana-republic endeavor is backfiring spectacularly on the Leftist establishment that is determined to find something, anything, it can use to destroy Trump. So […]

This Is Alvin Bragg: Charges Man With Attempted Murder for Shooting Back at Thief Who Shot Him

This Is Alvin Bragg: Charges Man With Attempted Murder for Shooting Back at Thief Who Shot Him
New in PJ Media: With his indictment of Donald Trump, Alvin Bragg has secured his place in history. He could end up being remembered as the rogue, rabidly partisan prosecutor who administered the coup de grace to America’s staggering republic by indicting the chief opponent of the ruling regime on the flimsiest of charges. Even if he […]

Trump Speaks Out on Indictment: The Democrats ‘Have Done the Unthinkable’

Trump Speaks Out on Indictment: The Democrats ‘Have Done the Unthinkable’
New in PJ Media: When he’s right, he’s right. Donald Trump issued a statement on Thursday evening after the United States of America completed its descent to banana-republic status, saying: “This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history.” He then recalled some of the Left’s earlier attempts to frame and destroy […]

New York City: Muslim cleric gets 18 years of prison dawah for encouraging violent jihad activity

New York City: Muslim cleric gets 18 years of prison dawah for encouraging violent jihad activity
Now that we know that Alvin Bragg is desperately corrupt and has politicized his office, this prosecution cannot be taken at face value. This is shaky enough in itself: “Mr. Faisal was not accused of planning violence in New York City and had not set foot there during the period covered by his indictment. But […]

Leftists Enraged at CNN’s Van Jones for Telling Alvin Bragg to Back Off of Trump

Leftists Enraged at CNN’s Van Jones for Telling Alvin Bragg to Back Off of Trump
New in PJ Media: While most Leftists are hanging streamers, putting the champagne on ice, and handing out the party hats in anticipation of watching Donald Trump marched in handcuffs into the Manhattan district attorney’s office, CNN host Van Jones is not quite ready to join the festivities. And the Party of Groupthink is as enraged […]

Surprise Grand Jury Witness May Have Destroyed the Whole Case Against Trump

Surprise Grand Jury Witness May Have Destroyed the Whole Case Against Trump
New in PJ Media: As Matt Margolis noted on Sunday, “Rudy Giuliani lawyer Robert Costello, a former legal advisor to Michael Cohen,” was set to appear on Monday before the grand jury that is currently persecuting and railroading Donald Trump, “with the sole intention of undermining Cohen’s credibility.” That he did. Costello offered testimony that should explode […]

It’s On: NYPD Is Putting Up Barricades, Expecting Riots When Trump Is Arrested

It’s On: NYPD Is Putting Up Barricades, Expecting Riots When Trump Is Arrested
New in PJ Media: America’s descent to banana republic status, with the ruling regime having its principal opponent arrested on bogus charges, may not happen on Tuesday, but it very much looks as if it is going to happen this week. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) was busy on Monday setting up steel barriers outside the […]

Trump Calls for Protests Over His Arrest

Trump Calls for Protests Over His Arrest
New in PJ Media: On Saturday morning, Donald Trump acknowledged that he will indeed be arrested, saying that the fateful day will be this coming Tuesday. Trump wrote in all caps on Truth Social: OUR NATION IS NOW THIRD WORLD & DYING. THE AMERICAN DREAM IS DEAD! THE RADICAL LEFT ANARCHISTS HAVE STOLLEN [sic] OUR PRESIDENTIAL […]
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