Podcast Summary
Trump's Former Lawyer Discussed Refusal to Leave Office: Leaked videos reveal Jenna Ellis discussing Trump's unwillingness to leave office with Dan Scavino, potentially damaging Trump but also hurting the prosecution due to protective order.
Former President Donald Trump's legal troubles continue to mount, with new developments in the Georgia election interference case. According to leaked confidential videos, Trump's former lawyer Jenna Ellis discussed with a senior White House official Dan Scavino about Trump's refusal to leave office, stating "He's not going to leave under any circumstances. We're just going to stay in power." This conversation, revealed as part of a plea deal Ellis made with prosecutors, could potentially damage Trump but may also hurt the prosecution due to the protective order filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fonnie Willis in response to the leak. The ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump's actions leading up to and following the 2020 election have significant implications for democracy, and NPR's new podcast "Trump's Trials," hosted by Scott Detrow, aims to break down the latest news and analysis from each case. Tune in each week for the latest updates on Trump's legal proceedings.
Georgia election investigation: Leaks reveal cooperating defendants and plot details: Cooperating defendants Sidney Powell and Jenna Ellis leaked interviews, Kenneth Chesebro's proffer detailed a plot to submit fake electors, revealing a far-reaching conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia
The ongoing investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia revealed intriguing developments this week. Several defendants, including key Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Jenna Ellis, have cooperated with the prosecution and leaked interviews were published. Ellis's remarks about Trump's desire to stay in power sparked controversy, but her statements came from a third party and her credibility could be questioned. A more significant revelation came from Kenneth Chesebro's leaked proffer, detailing his role in the plot to submit fake electors in Georgia and other battleground states. This supports the indictment's claim of a far-reaching conspiracy to overturn the election. The origins of these leaks serve as a reminder of the complex interplay between various actors attempting to influence the political, legal, and media landscapes during the Trump era.
Lawyer admits to leaking damning video against Trump, raising concerns of witness tampering: A lawyer involved in the Fulton County election investigation admitted to leaking a damning video against Trump, leading to potential witness tampering charges and a request for a protective order. Trump's team may face challenges in preparing for the investigation due to these developments.
The legal proceedings surrounding the Trump investigation continue to be complex and surprising. A recent development involves a lawyer for one of the codefendants in the Fulton County election investigation admitting that he leaked a damning video against Trump. This unexpected turn of events has raised concerns about witness tampering and intimidation, leading Fani Willis, the district attorney, to request a protective order. The potential granting of this order could make it harder for Trump's team to prepare. Additionally, the situation has taken a personal turn, with Trump loyalists attacking Jenna Ellis, a former Trump lawyer who has since cooperated with the investigation. The most alarming admission came from Sidney Powell, who held a high-profile press conference about election fraud but later admitted she didn't know much about election law. These revelations highlight the intricate and evolving nature of the Trump investigation.
Trump team tries to suppress references to Capitol violence in trials: The Trump legal team is attempting to exclude references to the January 6th Capitol insurrection during their trials to avoid negative political implications, but the prosecution argues these references are crucial to connecting them to other defendants and the insurrection case.
The legal teams of high-profile figures, including Donald Trump and his associates, have attempted to downplay or even suppress references to the violence at the Capitol during the January 6th insurrection during their trials. However, the prosecution has argued for keeping these references in order to make the connection between these individuals and the other defendants who have been successfully prosecuted for obstructing official proceedings related to the insurrection. The Trump team's efforts to keep these references out of the trials are driven in part by the negative political implications of being associated with the violence. The special counsel, Jack Smith, chose not to file insurrection or incitement charges against Trump but instead charged him with conspiracy to obstruct official proceedings. The mention of the insurrection at the Capitol and the connection to other defendants is a significant part of the prosecution's case against Trump, and the Trump team's efforts to keep it out of the trial could backfire politically.
Trump's Legal Battles: In Court and Public Opinion: Trump's legal battles in Georgia and Mar-a-Lago have varying approaches, with the former involving multiple defendants and damaging testimony, while the latter is televised for public opinion. Trump's actions leading up to and after the 2020 election are under scrutiny, with potential implications for his political future.
Former President Donald Trump is navigating legal battles on two fronts - in court and in public opinion. His approach varies depending on the timing and implications of each case. For instance, he waived his initial court appearance in Georgia but insisted on televised proceedings for the Mar-a-Lago documents case. The impact of these cases goes beyond their legal implications, as they also reveal Trump's belief in being above the law and his actions leading up to and after the 2020 election. The Georgia case, which involves multiple defendants and allegations of election interference, has seen several individuals plead guilty and offer damaging information. This trend is likely to continue as the trial date approaches. Moreover, the events of January 6, 2021, continue to loom large over all these cases, as they demonstrate Trump's reluctance to leave office and his disregard for official records. Looking ahead, the pressure on Trump is mounting, both politically and legally. The trials will receive increased attention, and more individuals may be incentivized to cooperate and provide damaging information. The pattern of behavior revealed in these cases could have significant implications for Trump's political future.
Republicans shielding Trump from January 6 investigations: Some Republicans are protecting Trump from accountability for his role in the Capitol riots, hindering investigations and transparency
Despite the ongoing investigations and calls for transparency regarding the January 6 Capitol riots, some Republicans are still hesitant to criticize former President Trump and are working to shield him instead. This was discussed on NPR's "Trump's Trials" podcast by NPR's senior political editor and correspondent, Domenico Montanaro, and NYU law professor, Melissa Murray. The new House speaker, Mike Johnson, for instance, recently attempted to prevent the release of January 6 tapes, despite public knowledge of the events. This behavior can be seen as an effort to protect Trump and insulate him from accountability. It's an interesting political dynamic to observe as the investigation into the Capitol riots continues. For a more in-depth exploration of the black experience in America, tune into NPR's "Black Stories, Black Truths" podcast. And for insights on how policy changes in Washington may impact your finances, listen to "Washington Wise" from Charles Schwab. Additionally, Mint Mobile offers premium wireless plans starting at just $15 a month.
