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    Judge Dismisses Trump’s Counterclaim Against E. Jean Carroll

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

    On Monday, a federal judge dismissed former President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against writer E. Jean Carroll.

    According to The Hill, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed Trump’s argument Carroll defamed him last May, ruling Carroll’s statement made on a cable network was substantially true and “[t]here would have been no different effect on the mind of an average listener.”

    “The difference between Ms. Carroll’s allegedly defamatory statements — that Mr. Trump ‘raped’ her as defined in the New York Penal Law — and the ‘truth’ — that Mr. Trump forcibly digitally penetrated Ms. Carroll — is minimal. Both are felonious sex crimes,” Kaplan ruled.

    Kaplan, a Clinton appointee, separately rejected Trump’s defense that he has “absolute presidential immunity” in the case.

    Trump attorney Alina Habba said the former president would be filing an appeal shortly, calling it a “flawed decision.”

    “We are pleased that the Court dismissed Donald Trump’s counterclaim,” Carroll attorney Robbie Kaplan said in a statement.

    “That means that the January 15th jury trial will be limited to a narrow set of issues and shouldn’t take very long to complete,” she continued. “E. Jean Carroll looks forward to obtaining additional compensatory and punitive damages based on the original defamatory statements Donald Trump made in 2019.”

    Trump Attorney Addresses Jan. 6 Plea Deal Speculation

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former President Trump’s attorney John Lauro says there is no chance he will accept a plea deal in connection with the federal Jan. 6 case.

    After being charged with four federal counts related to Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election last week Trump’s attorney joined CBS News’ “Face The Nation” to discuss the case. Lauro told host Major Garrett there was no condition where Trump would accept a plea deal.

    When asked if he planned to file a motion to dismiss the case, Lauro said he “absolutely” plans to, but did not reveal exact details.

    “Hundred percent. Well, within the time permitted,” Lauro said. “This is what’s called a Swiss cheese indictment. It has so many holes that we’re going to be identifying and litigating a number of motions that we’re going to file on First Amendment grounds, on the fact that President Trump is immune as president from being prosecuted in this way.”

    Lauro also said that cases similar to this case brought against Trump do not go to trial “before two or three years.” He also emphasized how he will be pushing to change the venue, saying West Virginia would be an “excellent venue to try this case

    “Well, the problem with bringing a case like this in the middle of a campaign season is statements are going to be made in the context of a campaign,” he said. “We expect a fair and just trial in the District of Columbia. And — and my role — my role is simply to ensure that President Trump’s rights, just like every American’s rights, are protected every step of the way, and I’m going to do that.”

    Trump Asks Supreme Court to ‘Intercede’ in Legal Fights

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    Former President Trump wants the Supreme Court to intervene in his mounting legal challenges.

    Hours after the former president appeared in a Washington, D.C. courtroom on Thursday for his arraignment to enter his not-guilty plea to the four charges he is facing in Jan. 6 case he called on the Supreme Court to intercede in the political witch hunt against him.

    Trump in a post also said the multiple cases against him will require “massive amounts” of time and money and force him to use resources on court battles that could have been used for advertisements and rallies. 

    “I am leading in all Polls, including against Crooked Joe, but this is not a level playing field. It is Election Interference, & the Supreme Court must intercede. MAGA!” Trump said.

    He has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.

    The indictment marked the third filed against Trump in the past few months.

    Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintained that he is being prosecuted for political purposes because of his position as the frontrunner for the GOP nomination for president in 2024. Trump has dominated the polls since announcing his campaign.

    Trump Faces Judge After Special Counsel Delivers Jan. 6 Indictment

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former President Trump will plead “not guilty” in federal court to all four federal charges stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into 2020 election interference and the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

    Trump traveled from his resort in Bedminster, N.J., Thursday to Washington D.C. His first court appearance took place at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. 

    Trump, the current 2024 GOP front-runner, was charged earlier this week with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.

    Trump posted to his Truth Social late Wednesday saying that the case “will hopefully be moved to an impartial Venue, such as the politically unbiased nearby State of West Virginia!” 

    “IMPOSSIBLE to get a fair trial in Washington, D.C., which is over 95% anti-Trump, & for which I have called for a Federal TAKEOVER in order to bring our Capital back to Greatness,” Trump posted. “It is now a high crime embarrassment to our Nation and, indeed, the World. This Indictment is all about Election Interference!!!” 

    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Report: Obama Privately Warns That Trump Is ‘More Formidable’ Than Dems Realize

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Former President Obama reportedly had a private meeting with President Biden this summer where he warned him that former President Trump is a “more formidable candidate” than many Democrats realize. 

    Two people familiar with the meeting informed Washington Post White House reporter Tyler Pager about the private lunch Obama had with Biden in June where the former president told Biden not to underestimate Trump and pledged to support Biden’s re-election bid.

    According to the sources, Obama “voiced concern about Donald Trump’s political strengths — including an intensely loyal following, a Trump-friendly conservative media ecosystem and a polarized country — underlining his worry that Trump could be a more formidable candidate than many Democrats realize.”

    As such, the 44th president “promised to do all he could to help the president get reelected,” which, Pager added, “was a welcome gesture for the White House at a time when Biden is eager to lock down promises of help from top Democrats.”

    The report said, “During their lunch, Obama made it clear his concerns were not about Biden’s political abilities, but rather a recognition of Trump’s iron grip on the Republican Party.”

    Regarding Obama’s pledge to help Biden’s campaign, Pager noted how the former president’s aides say he “will reprise his playbook from recent elections.” 

    Eastman Attorney Rejects Potential Jan. 6 Plea Deal

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4
    Elvert Barnes, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    A lawyer for John Eastman rejected the prospect of accepting a potential plea deal from the Justice Department special counsel’s investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

    Eastman’s lawyer, Harvey Silvergate, confirmed to The Hill that his client is one of the unnamed co-conspirators mentioned in Tuesday’s indictment of Trump. (RELATED: Trump Served Third Criminal Indictment)

    In a statement, Silverglate said Eastman has not and will not be engaged in plea bargaining in the case with state or federal prosecutors.

    “With respect to questions as to whether Dr. Eastman is involved in plea bargaining, the answer is no,” the statement read. “But if he were invited to plea bargain with either state or federal prosecutors, he would decline. The fact is, if Dr. Eastman is indicted, he will go to trial. If convicted, he will appeal. The Eastman legal team is confident of its legal position in this matter.”

    The statement also said the recent indictment relies on a “misleading presentation of the record to contrive criminal charges against Presidential candidate Trump and to cast ominous aspersions on his close advisors.” It further states that Pence is on the record casting doubts on the validity of the 2020 election himself.

    “For example, the uninitiated reader of the indictment would have no idea that former Vice President Pence is on record stating that in the 2020 election there were ‘significant allegations of voting irregularities and numerous instances of officials setting aside state election law,’” the statement continues. “This is but one example of the indictment’s false presentation of the record; countless more will be revealed in time.”

    White House Hopeful Sues DOJ For Trump Indictment Details

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Vivek Ramaswamy speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

    Republican presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is suing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and filing a new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records request for details concerning the indictments of former President Trump. 

    A Washington grand jury indicted Trump on charges related to Jan. 6th and his attempt to remain in power after losing the 2020 election.

    “My aim in bringing this lawsuit is to finally deliver accountability and transparency: what did Biden and his cronies tell [Attorney General Merrick] Garland and what did Garland and the deep-staters who put him in as Attorney General tell [special counsel] Jack Smith,” Ramaswamy said in a statement shared by his campaign. 

    “Despite having lost, the Defendant [Trump] was determined to remain in power. So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the Defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won,” the indictment states.

    Ramaswamy in his statement also restated his promise to pardon the former president if he’s elected to the Oval Office. 

    According to the new filing, Ramaswamy’s campaign submitted a FOIA request in June seeking “documents and records in DOJ’s possession related to the decision to bring a federal criminal indictment” against Trump, after the former president was indicted on charges related to his handling of classified materials, following a separate DOJ investigation.

    “The Campaign accordingly brings this suit to compel DOJ to immediately respond
    to the Campaign’s FOIA request and promptly disclose all responsive, non-exempt records,” the complaint reads. Ramaswamy’s team said he’s also filing a new FOIA request for similar communications related to the new Jan. 6 indictment.

    Georgia Judge Rejects Trump Effort to End Fulton County Investigation

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    A Georgia judge rejected former President Trump’s attempt to end an investigation into his alleged efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results. 

    The Hill has more:

    “The movants’ asserted ‘injuries’ that would open the doors of the courthouse to their claims are either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized,” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in the nine-page ruling. 

    “They are insufficient because, while being the subject (or even target) of a highly publicized criminal investigation is likely an unwelcome and unpleasant experience, no court ever has held that that status alone provides a basis for the courts to interfere with or halt the investigation.”

    The ruling marks the second roadblock for Trump in his efforts to dismiss the probe. Earlier this month, the state’s supreme court rejected another suit seeking to block it. 

    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Trump Co-defendant Carlos de Oliveira Released on Bond

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

    Former President Donald Trump’s newest co-defendant in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case was released on bond Monday.

    Carlos de Oliveira was released on a $100,000 bond after an initial court appearance Monday, according to The Hill. He is facing obstruction of justice charges as well as charges for making false statements to investigators. 

    De Oliveira was named as a co-conspirator in the case in a Thursday superseding indictment that accused the Mar-a-Lago property manager of coordinating with Trump to attempt to delete security camera footage that showed him and another defendant in the case, Walt Nauta, moving boxes in and out of a storage room. 

    Trump accused the Justice Department of “prosecutorial misconduct” in a statement to Fox News. (RELATED: Special Counsel Charges Third Defendant, Adds Additional Charges in Document Case)

    “It’s election interference at the highest level,” Trump told Fox News Digital just after he learned of the latest indictment. “They’re harassing my company, they’re harassing my family and by far, least importantly of all, they’re harassing me.” 

    Trump told Fox News Digital that “the charges are ridiculous, and they know it better than anyone.”

    “This is prosecutorial misconduct used at a level never seen before,” Trump said. “If I weren’t leading Biden by a lot in numerous polls, and wasn’t going to be the Republican nominee, it wouldn’t be happening. It wouldn’t be happening.” 

    He added: “But I am way up as a Republican and way up in the general election and this is what you get.”

    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Former Michigan GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Pleads Guilty to Jan. 6 Charge

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

    A former Republican candidate for Michigan governor pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

    Ryan Kelley was reportedly arrested last June after anonymous tipsters gave photos to the FBI showing that he was present at the Capitol.

    At the time of his arrest in 2022, Kelley was the leading candidate for the GOP gubernatorial primary, according to polling.

    According to The Hill, federal investigators said Kelley was part of the crowd that rushed the Capitol, forcing police to retreat up the stairs and into the building. He directed parts of the crowd to and around the Capitol, but did not enter the building himself, investigators said.

    Kelley initially pleaded not guilty to a slate of charges including entering a restricted area and destruction of government property. He pleaded guilty to the restricted area charge this week in an agreement that saw other charges dropped.

    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

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