Trump Foundation's Lawyer Asks that Trial not Begin so Close to Midterms; Judge Laughs

[applegrove]

trumpimpeachment at Daily Kos

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/30/1776943/-Trump-Foundation-s-Lawyer-Asks-that-Trial-not-Begin-so-Close-to-Midterms-Judge-Laughs

"SNIP........


The Trump Foundation is being sued by New York’s attorney general, Barbara Underwood, for using the charity to enrich and benefit the Trump family. Lawyers for the Trump Foundation, which is run by Trump and his oldest children, Don Jr, Eric, and Ivanka made a ridiculous request during court proceedings on Tuesday. They asked that the execution of justice be rescheduled to accommodate the midterm elections. New Yorker:

During Tuesday’s hearing, the Trump Foundation’s lawyer, Alan Futerfas, asked that the trial not commence in October, because it was so close to the midterms. Judge Scarpulla laughed in response, did not change the trial date, and hinted that she is likely to require the President to testify.

The Trumps don't seem to realize that the justice is system is apolitical by design, so the fact that the trial date is close to the midterms is not relevant to the courts. Hence the laughter in response.

The hint about requiring Trump to testify makes for a fascinating scenario. The sitting president testifying in a court case trying to explain why money was flowing from his charitable foundation into his pockets and those of his children while his party is campaigning for midterm elections that could have a major impact on the future of his presidency and his party. Sounds like a potential political disaster, at least for an ordinary politician.

..........SNIP"

[triron]

1. Way cool!

[Frustratedlady]

2. I like her! Carry on, maam! eom

[smirkymonkey]

3. Well, I guess getting rid of Schneidermann didn't turn out to be such a wise

move after all, did it? Suck it up, asshole!

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

4. Thank You Your Honor!

Please watch your back.

[Rebl2]

19. That's what

I thought.

[gratuitous]

5. Trump's not on the ballot in the mid-terms

Shouldn't have any effect on the timing of the trial. Does New York allow cameras in the courtroom? Watching Trump squirm in the witness box, trying to answer questions he should know the answer to, but doesn't. Stammering, stumbling, deflecting, and being brought back to the point by the prosecutor and the judge.

[Perseus]

9. He is not on the ballots, but the thinking is

that the man-child being in court for fraud should affect the vote for those who support him, at least that is what is expected, although with republicans and evangelists one never knows.

Regarding cameras in the court room? I don't think we will be that lucky to see him lie in front of a judge, which he will do, but I am sure that cameras will not be allowed.

[jmowreader]

17. We aren't that lucky.

The State of New York bans cameras in courtrooms.

https://www.rcfp.org/browse-media-law-resources/news-media-law/news-media-and-law-summer-2005/new-york-high-court-says-ca

[gratuitous]

20. Rats

We'll always have the transcripts. I hope the court reporters capture each and every "uhhh," "errr," [long pause] and [eye shift].

[not fooled]

29. Smirk, scowl, pouty expression,

and on and on. donnie in front of an audience he doesn't control.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. Is this why Trump is

accelerating his take over of the Supreme Court ? Wonder if Kennedy's Kid and Deucthe Bank pop up ? Nance mentioned something Friday about Wire Taps and Fisa Court actions were happening all of last year as well into this year.

Still say,the Agencies will take down the Trump Criminal Syndicate and it is going to get mother ugly fun.

[Perseus]

7. The most interesting thing about this

is the fact that the trumps claim to be billionaires, but they are still robbing money from a charitable foundation. How do you answer to that? Is it greed? Is it that they really are not billionaires? Is it that they are natural crooks who get high on robbing from anyone?

What a screwed up family.

[Horse with no Name]

12. They fake it until they make it. n/t

[WhiteTara]

8. Wow. An October Surprise that won't hurt us!

I'm excited what that trial will bring out. I like Barbara Underwood. I love it that the judge laughed.

[Yonnie3]

10. They have a strong defense for the kids.

"Charity begins at home."

Of course, it won't work in court.

[Takket]

11. its fine to sit a new SCOTUS member but not testify in a lawsuit?

how fucked up is that?

[robbob]

13. tRump is shopping for a SC Justice

who will say Presidents are immune from prosecution, supeonas, and are truly above the law. I don’t think Mitch McConnell has any problem with that.

[trickyguy]

14. I would have loved to be in the courtroom when

Judge Scarpulla actually laughed at this blatently corrupt request.
Carry on in the name of the law.

[mobeau69]

15. "..the justice is system is apolitical by design..."

For now, maybe. They are woking to "correct" this.

[malaise]

16. Imagine thieves asking for a pass

Bangs head.

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. "at least for an ordinary politician"

There's the rub

I am continually amazed and appalled at how much shit his deplorables can eat and not get sick.

Its all a finely crafted MO at this point. He has Fox News and RW talk radio all set to be shouting 24/7 about the latest "witch hunt" if and when this goes ahead. Instead of it being an advantage, it will be twisted and used FOR his advantage.

In fact it may just suppress the Democrat vote further, if upon reading the polls during this trial, they see his numbers going up. How much more Trump fatigue can one take? It may seem all so depressingly impossible so why bother, to at least a few.

[kacekwl]

21. Now if every judge would laugh at him and his lawyers

then we could all laugh together.

[ailsagirl]

22. Glad to hear the judge has a sense of humor!

[Volaris]

23. Lol his dumbass is gonna testify his way right into an emouluments clause impeachment hahaha

What a tool.

[NewJeffCT]

24. I wonder if Trump even realizes

that he can't pardon himself, or anybody else, for state level crimes?

He seems to think that his presidential pardon power is all powerful

[dflprincess]

26. And he can't refuse to take the stand in a civil case.

[dembotoz]

25. Put the trump kids in cages

[calimary]

31. That'd work for me.

While incarcerated, Ivanka could design a whole new line of prison wear!

[DeminPennswoods]

27. Paula Jones case just keeps on giving

I know those Supreme Court justices thought they were only going to hurt Clinton, but their ruling is the basis for allowing Clifford/Daniels, Zervos and now this case against the Trump Foundation to proceed.

[bitterross]

28. Probably not a good thing in the long term. Appeals.

If I were 45's lawyer I'd be asking for recusal and making all sorts of noise about the bias of the judge. As we saw in the Masterpiece Bakery case, such minor-seeming actions can have greater consequences.

This is not to say I don't appreciate the judge laughing. I love that the judge laughed.

[struggle4progress]

30. "Charity" scheme to make golf debts go away

BY BESS LEVIN
JUNE 14, 2018 5:02 PM

... York Attorney General Barbara Underwood sued the president and all of his adult children for “persistently illegal conduct” related to the Donald J. Trump Foundation ... Underwood also charges that the foundation, whose board members include Don Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, violated campaign-finance laws by “illegally provid[ing] extensive support” to the then-candidate’s 2016 campaign, despite being explicitly prohibited from “participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of a candidate.” E-mails show campaign manager Corey Lewandowski dictating charitable expenditures which you’ll surely be shocked to hear appear dedicated to helping Trump get elected ... Underwood .. has asked that the president be forced to pay at least $2.8 million in restitution and penalties, and be barred from leading any New York nonprofit organizations for 10 years. She also wants each of the Trump kids banned from serving as directors of New York nonprofits for a year ...

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/06/trump-foundation-lawsuit

[Generic Other]

32. Oh Snap

Make it soooo!

[Gothmog]

33. This lawsuit will be fun to watch

I have hopes that this trial will be as amusing as the ACLU/Kobach trial. That soap opera was great