Thank you Asha. Your analysis is comprehensive and I really appreciate you looking at the view from 50,000 feet and then examining various potential charges and always without prompting examining the “why is this significant?” Before reading this just now I was thinking since trump is the only source for raising our expectations of an Indictment LAST Tuesday, and we saw how he raised money just on that, as you say the issuance could really be anytime or not issued at all. Fingers crossed
OmG !!! They did it!!! Finally! Whew. We’ll find the facts ... now I’ll go back and reread your latest... you are so in the weeds, it’s great, Asha! I feel privileged to be here.
There are several factors in the case of State of New York versus Donald J. Trump (or the would be case) that are of interest and are elucidated here by Professor Rangappa. One major, major factor to a case going forward would be, Why is the case happening now, and what new evidence has been obtained by the prosecution?
Without this being answered, statutes of limitations may apply, including the policy-based (rather than statutorily limited) argument that if nothing new has happened, such delays by accusatory parties are in line with exactly what Trump wants: That the case is nitpicking accounting error and only politically motivated at a time when Donald J. Trump may run for reelection.
However, there is a silver lining to this:
Because Cohen pled guilty to the associated charges, why has there been no case made that upon payment of the hush money to Cohen, for Cohen to pay off Daniels, Trump acted in conspiracy with Cohen and would have been found guilty alongside Cohen had Trump been tried as a codefendant (so he still is guilty, in limbo)?
I think this theory has been floated. It depends on the evidence Bragg has. For a conspiracy you need proof of an agreement to commit a crime. Cohen says that he acted at the direction of Trump. But his testimony needs corroboration. I think the timeline I link to above is helpful because it suggests that there was a meeting with Cohen and Pecker where this agreement -- to "catch and kill" stories that might be damaging to Trump -- was hashed out
Your level of knowledge on issues of the current era is overwhelmingly deep. I, for one, have a difficult time being able to recall details in a timely fashion, so names and names of places and judicial codes tend to escape me (so I look things up). What I have found most fascinating about your course is the level of extemporaneous ability to expound, with accurate details regarding chronology and other factors, that you possess and share with us.
Thank you for your logical and informative analysis of all of this, Asha. The media coverage of the indictment has been absolutely maddening. So much “well, these are really minor charges” and “Alvin Bragg has an uphill battle trying to make the case that paying a porn star is really that bad” or “It’s going to be tough for Alvin Bragg since this is a state charge for potential crimes that involve FEDERAL election laws”. Like, do these people really think that Alvin Bragg, a super accomplished prosecutor from one of the most consequential cities in the world, would not have considered every tiny little potentially problematic detail of his case? He’s been investigating the hell out of Trump and these talking heads are acting like Bragg is just winging it. Can you please talk to your colleagues about this? TIA
Since Mr. Trump is facing legal peril potentially in multiple fora, could the folks in Manhattan be waiting for somebody else to move first? Between the possible federal case, the possible New York case, and the possible Georgia case it seems like nobody wants to be the one to go first.
Why would Bragg move on it, with much fanfare, if that were true? I didn’t know about the ‘previously scheduled hiatus’ so I question his timing in doing it when he did.... if he knew it had to go ‘on hold’, when so many of us are waiting for Trump to be held accountable for his (many) crimes.
There’s too much speculation everywhere all of time. With only so much one can infer, although much of the chatter is interesting,
it’s frustrating. I almost don’t want to hear any more until something big happens and even then it all moves forward at a snail’s pace. I thought they had him back in August when they raided MaraLago ... the endless delay in every case scares me.
Maybe Weisselberg has flipped... and that’s the reason for the delay, maybe not. (See, I’m not immune to the endless speculation. )
Well, now we know there IS an indictment, and with strong suggestions that it involves a felony.
If it is tax fraud (reporting something as a deduction that isn't) I have one question. If the checks came from the trump organization, wouldn't it be that company's fraudulent returns? We have all heard rumors that more that one person/entity is being indicted.
So one has to wonder--is one charge going to be CONSPIRACY to commit tax fraud? Conspiracy has its own intent issues--notably that the conspiracy's intent is the intent is to commit a known crime. Does anyone think that the trump org AND the Donald didn't realize tax fraud was a crime?
I remember Michael Cohen said Trump inflated values of his properties to get bank loans, and deflated values for tax purposes. I hope those crimes are among the 30+ counts of business fraud reportedly in the indictment!
And true to form, Republicans are screaming that the indictment is politically motivated. Coming from the law-and-order party, the lock-her-up party, the party that has been baying for Hunter Biden's blood for two year, this current display of hypocrisy is a new low, and that's saying something.
What are the chances that Alvin Bragg has evidence of a crime completely unrelated to the hush money payments? Would that information be public? Also, why does our media still allow Donald to dictate their narrative? Had it not been for the media incessantly reporting that trump “might” be indicted on a certain day - based on… Donald Trump’s reporting - this entire issue of a “delay” would likely be moot, no? Sorry if this has already been addressed. I’m new here.
CNN is reporting two sources say the indictment includes 30+ counts of business fraud, so hopefully this goes well beyond the Stormy Daniels “hush money” payments.
In today's Semafor the following reminded me of the Wine and Fries discussion with Pete Strzok. Free snacks!
Security clearance reform is getting a close look from the leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, Morgan Chalfant writes this morning. The U.S. government’s secrecy walls make it difficult to compete for talent with the private sector, which has fewer barriers to hiring. Intelligence agencies are also trying to match companies on office perks — the CIA is even providing “free snacks.”
Politicians who perceived authority differently in recent years are beginning to pay the price. Here I mean Trump and Putin. They are 2 of the people who have destroyed the institutions in recent years. As they destroy more, there will be nothing left to destroy. So, especially from 2024, we will see more and more arrests on the names of these people and more people like them.
Is anyone else enjoying a celebratory glass of wine tonight? 🍷
Thank you Asha. Your analysis is comprehensive and I really appreciate you looking at the view from 50,000 feet and then examining various potential charges and always without prompting examining the “why is this significant?” Before reading this just now I was thinking since trump is the only source for raising our expectations of an Indictment LAST Tuesday, and we saw how he raised money just on that, as you say the issuance could really be anytime or not issued at all. Fingers crossed
Hopefully this indictment will give the DOJ and Georgia a “nudge” to hand down additional Trump indictments, and if so, will he flee to Moscow?
OmG !!! They did it!!! Finally! Whew. We’ll find the facts ... now I’ll go back and reread your latest... you are so in the weeds, it’s great, Asha! I feel privileged to be here.
[RECORD]17:41 Thur 30 Mar 2023 NBC news announces indictment of Trump.
Trump was Indicted late this afternoon. Fyi. Asha, your timing was impeccable!! We shall learn the charges.
There are several factors in the case of State of New York versus Donald J. Trump (or the would be case) that are of interest and are elucidated here by Professor Rangappa. One major, major factor to a case going forward would be, Why is the case happening now, and what new evidence has been obtained by the prosecution?
Without this being answered, statutes of limitations may apply, including the policy-based (rather than statutorily limited) argument that if nothing new has happened, such delays by accusatory parties are in line with exactly what Trump wants: That the case is nitpicking accounting error and only politically motivated at a time when Donald J. Trump may run for reelection.
However, there is a silver lining to this:
Because Cohen pled guilty to the associated charges, why has there been no case made that upon payment of the hush money to Cohen, for Cohen to pay off Daniels, Trump acted in conspiracy with Cohen and would have been found guilty alongside Cohen had Trump been tried as a codefendant (so he still is guilty, in limbo)?
I think this theory has been floated. It depends on the evidence Bragg has. For a conspiracy you need proof of an agreement to commit a crime. Cohen says that he acted at the direction of Trump. But his testimony needs corroboration. I think the timeline I link to above is helpful because it suggests that there was a meeting with Cohen and Pecker where this agreement -- to "catch and kill" stories that might be damaging to Trump -- was hashed out
Conspiracy For Campaign Finance Fraud
- Stormy
- McDougal
- Egypt Donation
Your level of knowledge on issues of the current era is overwhelmingly deep. I, for one, have a difficult time being able to recall details in a timely fashion, so names and names of places and judicial codes tend to escape me (so I look things up). What I have found most fascinating about your course is the level of extemporaneous ability to expound, with accurate details regarding chronology and other factors, that you possess and share with us.
Thank you for your logical and informative analysis of all of this, Asha. The media coverage of the indictment has been absolutely maddening. So much “well, these are really minor charges” and “Alvin Bragg has an uphill battle trying to make the case that paying a porn star is really that bad” or “It’s going to be tough for Alvin Bragg since this is a state charge for potential crimes that involve FEDERAL election laws”. Like, do these people really think that Alvin Bragg, a super accomplished prosecutor from one of the most consequential cities in the world, would not have considered every tiny little potentially problematic detail of his case? He’s been investigating the hell out of Trump and these talking heads are acting like Bragg is just winging it. Can you please talk to your colleagues about this? TIA
As of 6pm EDT - A prescient post, Asha.
Since Mr. Trump is facing legal peril potentially in multiple fora, could the folks in Manhattan be waiting for somebody else to move first? Between the possible federal case, the possible New York case, and the possible Georgia case it seems like nobody wants to be the one to go first.
Why would Bragg move on it, with much fanfare, if that were true? I didn’t know about the ‘previously scheduled hiatus’ so I question his timing in doing it when he did.... if he knew it had to go ‘on hold’, when so many of us are waiting for Trump to be held accountable for his (many) crimes.
There’s too much speculation everywhere all of time. With only so much one can infer, although much of the chatter is interesting,
it’s frustrating. I almost don’t want to hear any more until something big happens and even then it all moves forward at a snail’s pace. I thought they had him back in August when they raided MaraLago ... the endless delay in every case scares me.
Maybe Weisselberg has flipped... and that’s the reason for the delay, maybe not. (See, I’m not immune to the endless speculation. )
Well, now we know there IS an indictment, and with strong suggestions that it involves a felony.
If it is tax fraud (reporting something as a deduction that isn't) I have one question. If the checks came from the trump organization, wouldn't it be that company's fraudulent returns? We have all heard rumors that more that one person/entity is being indicted.
So one has to wonder--is one charge going to be CONSPIRACY to commit tax fraud? Conspiracy has its own intent issues--notably that the conspiracy's intent is the intent is to commit a known crime. Does anyone think that the trump org AND the Donald didn't realize tax fraud was a crime?
I remember Michael Cohen said Trump inflated values of his properties to get bank loans, and deflated values for tax purposes. I hope those crimes are among the 30+ counts of business fraud reportedly in the indictment!
And true to form, Republicans are screaming that the indictment is politically motivated. Coming from the law-and-order party, the lock-her-up party, the party that has been baying for Hunter Biden's blood for two year, this current display of hypocrisy is a new low, and that's saying something.
What are the chances that Alvin Bragg has evidence of a crime completely unrelated to the hush money payments? Would that information be public? Also, why does our media still allow Donald to dictate their narrative? Had it not been for the media incessantly reporting that trump “might” be indicted on a certain day - based on… Donald Trump’s reporting - this entire issue of a “delay” would likely be moot, no? Sorry if this has already been addressed. I’m new here.
CNN is reporting two sources say the indictment includes 30+ counts of business fraud, so hopefully this goes well beyond the Stormy Daniels “hush money” payments.
In today's Semafor the following reminded me of the Wine and Fries discussion with Pete Strzok. Free snacks!
Security clearance reform is getting a close look from the leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, Morgan Chalfant writes this morning. The U.S. government’s secrecy walls make it difficult to compete for talent with the private sector, which has fewer barriers to hiring. Intelligence agencies are also trying to match companies on office perks — the CIA is even providing “free snacks.”
Politicians who perceived authority differently in recent years are beginning to pay the price. Here I mean Trump and Putin. They are 2 of the people who have destroyed the institutions in recent years. As they destroy more, there will be nothing left to destroy. So, especially from 2024, we will see more and more arrests on the names of these people and more people like them.