As we move towards what looks more and more inevitably like the first indictment of the former President in Manhattan (unless Fani Willis’s “imminent” suddenly takes wing or Jack Smith runs strong in the home stretch), there is lots of uncertainty about the details, including the most important one: what, precisely, will Trump be charged with? Let’s set that question aside for today, because the reality is, we’re unlikely to be able to answer it before an indictment, if there is one, becomes public, and we’re able to see the actual charges.
There is something that has confused me since first hearing Trump's call with Brad Raffensperger. I'm hoping maybe you can clarify it for me or point out if I'm missing something. The full quote that has been used as the most damning moment of the call is, "What I want to do is this. I just want to find, uh, 11,780 votes, which is one more than [the 11,779 vote margin of defeat] we have, because we won the state." By stating that the 11,780 votes he "wanted" were "one more that we have," is Trump not admitting that he knows he lost the election in Georgia? It seems pretty plain to me that this is an admission and acknowledgement that he lost in Georgia, despite his bogus assertions to the contrary. Yet, I've heard no one make this argument and I find that very confusing. Can you help me understand why I'm mistaken?
I just signed up for Joyce's letters. I have seen her many times on TV giving her assessment of the legal issues of the day. As a lawyer (retired) I understand her explanations and appreciate her presentation style. Yes, let's get this Trump bum indicted and convicted!
Great summary, Joyce. I noticed you used the terminology, “sharp practices,” a couple of times in the newsletter. Can you expand on the legal meaning of this?
Thank you for again for providing some sanity into the discussion on what the courts may do in response to Trump’s legal morass and criminality. I feel more optimistic that he will be held to account for at least some of his many crimes against the American people.
Nice to hear from you, Joyce! Let’s see if the judges involved in these delay tactics are principled enough to rule correctly and not just hand another gift to trump.
I sincerely hope that Trump and his minions both familial and otherwise are brought to justice at some point in their lifetimes as well as ours. To echo the remarks of others in this Substack, to think they won’t earn their comeuppance would be devastatingly tragic.
I hope you are right but am much less optimistic. My bet is that an indictment for mischaracterizing a payment to an escort is much ado about nothing and will actually help him get re-elected, just like his lawyer said. As to the documents, yet again much ado about nothing plus my bet is that he could declassify by behavior under his executive powers while he was president. It makes no difference whatever the “procedures” were. Presidential power overrides them. As to Georgia- total immunity under his executive powers which he had in full until the instant he did not. He will argue I imagine that it was his duty and he had full power to protect the United States elections and that is what he was doing with his perfect phone calls. This is a political Court and not a legal Court but plenty of room to rule for trump regardless. My bet is he ultimately prevails. As to the insurrection, Garland snoozes and trump’s ultimate defense is winning election and self pardon, My opinion. Now, is the first female president going to be Lake, Marge or Nikki by vice presidential succession? Tick Tock.
Hi Joyce - a NEW meaning to "March Madness" - who is gonna get the to the "cockroach" 1st? I will be smoking a cigar (i dont smoke) and ringing my grandmother's authentic cowbell as i hum "happy days are here again..." THANKS for keeping us informed - your work is ESSENTIAL!!
Terrific analysis, Joyce. But this is no way to spend a vacation in Sweden!
In the delay column, let us not forget the "routine tax audit" that was, according to Trump, preventing him from making his tax returns public. Apparently that routine audit, involving hundreds of millions of dollars in loss carryovers, is still ongoing some 6 or 7 years later. And isn't there an ongoing investigation (an IG?) into whether he intervened or got the IRS Commissioner to intervene to impede the examination of his income tax returns for years when he was President.
I sure hope, when the first domino falls, the rest come tumbling down in rapid succession.
Thank you for taking time on a much deserved vacation for your informative news updates and explanations. It is a given with all the charges he knew he would be facing that he chose to run and announced early.more time to get his base fired up. Frankly just wish he would choke on his ego and disappear for good. Though there are a long line of others that could carry on where he left off.
Thanks again for the explanation Joyce. I personally think that the justice system is tired of TFG using the court system to settle his whims. It is past time for lady liberty to take him to task for everything. Safe travels home.
There is something that has confused me since first hearing Trump's call with Brad Raffensperger. I'm hoping maybe you can clarify it for me or point out if I'm missing something. The full quote that has been used as the most damning moment of the call is, "What I want to do is this. I just want to find, uh, 11,780 votes, which is one more than [the 11,779 vote margin of defeat] we have, because we won the state." By stating that the 11,780 votes he "wanted" were "one more that we have," is Trump not admitting that he knows he lost the election in Georgia? It seems pretty plain to me that this is an admission and acknowledgement that he lost in Georgia, despite his bogus assertions to the contrary. Yet, I've heard no one make this argument and I find that very confusing. Can you help me understand why I'm mistaken?
let's nail this evil blight.
I just signed up for Joyce's letters. I have seen her many times on TV giving her assessment of the legal issues of the day. As a lawyer (retired) I understand her explanations and appreciate her presentation style. Yes, let's get this Trump bum indicted and convicted!
Mike Bahn
Great summary, Joyce. I noticed you used the terminology, “sharp practices,” a couple of times in the newsletter. Can you expand on the legal meaning of this?
tom j...bluff park
Another example of the wheels of justice grinding slowly but exceedingly fine, or some such. Thank you, Joyce!
Thank you for again for providing some sanity into the discussion on what the courts may do in response to Trump’s legal morass and criminality. I feel more optimistic that he will be held to account for at least some of his many crimes against the American people.
Nice to hear from you, Joyce! Let’s see if the judges involved in these delay tactics are principled enough to rule correctly and not just hand another gift to trump.
I sincerely hope that Trump and his minions both familial and otherwise are brought to justice at some point in their lifetimes as well as ours. To echo the remarks of others in this Substack, to think they won’t earn their comeuppance would be devastatingly tragic.
Thanks for the update and safe travels.
I hope you are right but am much less optimistic. My bet is that an indictment for mischaracterizing a payment to an escort is much ado about nothing and will actually help him get re-elected, just like his lawyer said. As to the documents, yet again much ado about nothing plus my bet is that he could declassify by behavior under his executive powers while he was president. It makes no difference whatever the “procedures” were. Presidential power overrides them. As to Georgia- total immunity under his executive powers which he had in full until the instant he did not. He will argue I imagine that it was his duty and he had full power to protect the United States elections and that is what he was doing with his perfect phone calls. This is a political Court and not a legal Court but plenty of room to rule for trump regardless. My bet is he ultimately prevails. As to the insurrection, Garland snoozes and trump’s ultimate defense is winning election and self pardon, My opinion. Now, is the first female president going to be Lake, Marge or Nikki by vice presidential succession? Tick Tock.
Hi Joyce - a NEW meaning to "March Madness" - who is gonna get the to the "cockroach" 1st? I will be smoking a cigar (i dont smoke) and ringing my grandmother's authentic cowbell as i hum "happy days are here again..." THANKS for keeping us informed - your work is ESSENTIAL!!
Terrific analysis, Joyce. But this is no way to spend a vacation in Sweden!
In the delay column, let us not forget the "routine tax audit" that was, according to Trump, preventing him from making his tax returns public. Apparently that routine audit, involving hundreds of millions of dollars in loss carryovers, is still ongoing some 6 or 7 years later. And isn't there an ongoing investigation (an IG?) into whether he intervened or got the IRS Commissioner to intervene to impede the examination of his income tax returns for years when he was President.
I sure hope, when the first domino falls, the rest come tumbling down in rapid succession.
Skål
Thank you for taking time on a much deserved vacation for your informative news updates and explanations. It is a given with all the charges he knew he would be facing that he chose to run and announced early.more time to get his base fired up. Frankly just wish he would choke on his ego and disappear for good. Though there are a long line of others that could carry on where he left off.
Have a safe trip. You are a precious resource to all of us!
Thanks again for the explanation Joyce. I personally think that the justice system is tired of TFG using the court system to settle his whims. It is past time for lady liberty to take him to task for everything. Safe travels home.
Hope you've enjoyed your trip Joyce. Safe journey home and
thank you for your concise breakdown.