"Two years ago, I thought RICO was a relative of his."
October 19, 2023 3:19 PM Subscribe
Sidney Powell Pleads Guilty in Georgia Trump Case (NYT gift, WaPo gift, The Atlantic gift, AP, Reuters)
"Powell, a Dallas-based lawyer who espoused baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 vote and filed a litany of failed lawsuits challenging the results, admitted guilt to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with the performance of election duties. She was sentenced to six years’ probation and agreed to pay a $6,000 fine and $2,700 in restitution to the state of Georgia, turn over documents and testify truthfully in her co-defendants’ trials."
"Powell, a Dallas-based lawyer who espoused baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 vote and filed a litany of failed lawsuits challenging the results, admitted guilt to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with the performance of election duties. She was sentenced to six years’ probation and agreed to pay a $6,000 fine and $2,700 in restitution to the state of Georgia, turn over documents and testify truthfully in her co-defendants’ trials."
She also has to write an apology letter to the state of Georgia and its residents. Let me guess how it'll start: "Dear Georgia, I'm sorry if you were offended..."
posted by theory at 3:28 PM on October 19, 2023 [25 favorites]
posted by theory at 3:28 PM on October 19, 2023 [25 favorites]
It seems that she decided that a defense of “haha, no I wasn’t actually Trump’s lawyer” and “my statements were so ridiculous that they simply couldn’t be taken seriously” wasn’t going to fly.
posted by rockindata at 3:44 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 3:44 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
I am so happy! Trial starts tomorrow right? The timing is impeccable. One million comedy points all around.
posted by pickinganameismuchharderthanihadanticipated at 3:45 PM on October 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by pickinganameismuchharderthanihadanticipated at 3:45 PM on October 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Now that she’s flipped, can we
- stop calling her the Kraken? My favorite hockey team has suffered enough this month;
- reclaim leopard print clothing, which, despite its failings, also did not deserve such a dreadful cultural association?
posted by armeowda at 3:47 PM on October 19, 2023 [35 favorites]
- stop calling her the Kraken? My favorite hockey team has suffered enough this month;
- reclaim leopard print clothing, which, despite its failings, also did not deserve such a dreadful cultural association?
posted by armeowda at 3:47 PM on October 19, 2023 [35 favorites]
I must say that I'm actually surprised she flipped, she was basically the one person in that crowd I would've pegged as a true believer instead of (for example, Giuliani) just trying to pull off another proverbial heist.
posted by tclark at 3:51 PM on October 19, 2023 [17 favorites]
posted by tclark at 3:51 PM on October 19, 2023 [17 favorites]
Perhaps her own lawyer is better at practicing law than she is, and Powell is smart enough to understand that.
posted by zenon at 3:53 PM on October 19, 2023 [17 favorites]
posted by zenon at 3:53 PM on October 19, 2023 [17 favorites]
As much as I understand it, it's infuriating that she's not really being punished for all her bullshit. She deserves jail time and disbarment at the very least.
posted by dobbs at 3:56 PM on October 19, 2023 [41 favorites]
posted by dobbs at 3:56 PM on October 19, 2023 [41 favorites]
Has she seriously not been disbarred yet? Lawyerly folk, could you explain how this can be possible??
posted by not just everyday big moggies at 3:59 PM on October 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by not just everyday big moggies at 3:59 PM on October 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
I know it makes me a bad person, but I want these people to pay for their crimes in a real way. I want them all in the countries worst prisons, like that one in Alabama where the pregnant woman was forced to give birth in a shower. I don't want them to be able to pay a fine and walk away relatively unscathed. I want the nazi fuckers out there to realize this all comes at a price. They can't just fuck over the US and walk away because they're white, rich, and privileged.
I am So. Very. Angry!!!
The unfairness makes me literally shake in anger. I will accept it, however, if it means Trump will spend time in a real, honest to god prison, where people have been languishing for decades for the crime of being poor and non white. To be fair, I want him facing a firing squad. we've done it before, and I think the crime fits this punishment. Once again, however, I'll take him in prison, if that's all I can get. I know, we should all forgive, shake our fingers at them and tell them no, that's not nice behavior, but I watch the homeless get rousted for the crime of not being able to get a good job, cops murder black men, in all honesty, because they can, Teachers get fucked over left and right, corporations rape the fucking ex middle class and poor for their stockholders, and I'm told, this is the best we can do. We can't hold the people responsible, who are.
Fuck me, I'm so sick of this bullshit. A democrat president isn't enough, some people getting their school loans forgiven, isn't enough. I WANT FUCKING BLOOD! I know I can't expect that, and most likely the moderators will delete this, but goddamnit, I need to say it. Her deal should have been years in prison, you're lucky we can't stand you against a wall. As it stands right now we'll be lucky if Trump doesn't come within a hair of the presidency AGAIN! But yes, I should make nice, reach across the aisle and say we all want the same things. We don't all want the same things, some folks want it all, I will settle for not being homeless (yet). But I want more. I want there to be a price to be a nazi.
posted by evilDoug at 4:00 PM on October 19, 2023 [88 favorites]
I am So. Very. Angry!!!
The unfairness makes me literally shake in anger. I will accept it, however, if it means Trump will spend time in a real, honest to god prison, where people have been languishing for decades for the crime of being poor and non white. To be fair, I want him facing a firing squad. we've done it before, and I think the crime fits this punishment. Once again, however, I'll take him in prison, if that's all I can get. I know, we should all forgive, shake our fingers at them and tell them no, that's not nice behavior, but I watch the homeless get rousted for the crime of not being able to get a good job, cops murder black men, in all honesty, because they can, Teachers get fucked over left and right, corporations rape the fucking ex middle class and poor for their stockholders, and I'm told, this is the best we can do. We can't hold the people responsible, who are.
Fuck me, I'm so sick of this bullshit. A democrat president isn't enough, some people getting their school loans forgiven, isn't enough. I WANT FUCKING BLOOD! I know I can't expect that, and most likely the moderators will delete this, but goddamnit, I need to say it. Her deal should have been years in prison, you're lucky we can't stand you against a wall. As it stands right now we'll be lucky if Trump doesn't come within a hair of the presidency AGAIN! But yes, I should make nice, reach across the aisle and say we all want the same things. We don't all want the same things, some folks want it all, I will settle for not being homeless (yet). But I want more. I want there to be a price to be a nazi.
posted by evilDoug at 4:00 PM on October 19, 2023 [88 favorites]
This isn't that great honestly. She was facing seven felony charges including racketeering and conspiracy to commit election fraud. That all goes away now, bartered down to six misdemeanors. It doesn't seem like a good deal to me. What is her testimony worth? This is the Kraken lady. She's a lying clown, I don't value her words very high at all. Not enough to convert SEVEN FELONIES into six misdemeanors.
I'd like to see the sentencing reviewed or appealed. Conspiracy to commit election fraud is a Big Fucking Deal, and a letter saying 'I'm sowwy' doesn't fucking come close to making that right. Throw her in a cell.
Maybe she has enough dirt on the rest to justify this sentence, but I doubt it.
posted by adept256 at 4:01 PM on October 19, 2023 [32 favorites]
I'd like to see the sentencing reviewed or appealed. Conspiracy to commit election fraud is a Big Fucking Deal, and a letter saying 'I'm sowwy' doesn't fucking come close to making that right. Throw her in a cell.
Maybe she has enough dirt on the rest to justify this sentence, but I doubt it.
posted by adept256 at 4:01 PM on October 19, 2023 [32 favorites]
Still, this makes the cringe levels achieved during this interview with Sarah Ferguson even more delicious.
posted by flabdablet at 4:04 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 4:04 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
reclaim leopard print clothing, which, despite its failings, also did not deserve such a dreadful cultural association?
I think Mobutu beat her to it by some years.
posted by dannyboybell at 4:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
I think Mobutu beat her to it by some years.
posted by dannyboybell at 4:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
She agreed to turn over documents related to the case. We can only hope.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 4:08 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 4:08 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
If you want to watch the hearing, Judge McAfee's cases are streamed on his YouTube page.
Today's hearing with Powell: direct link
posted by quoththeraven at 4:09 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
Today's hearing with Powell: direct link
posted by quoththeraven at 4:09 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
She agreed to turn over documents related to the case. We can only hope.
A kid's menu place-mat from a chain restaurant with the maze filled in wrong.
posted by adept256 at 4:22 PM on October 19, 2023 [45 favorites]
A kid's menu place-mat from a chain restaurant with the maze filled in wrong.
posted by adept256 at 4:22 PM on October 19, 2023 [45 favorites]
stop calling her the Kraken?
Now she's Cracken...
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 4:25 PM on October 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
Now she's Cracken...
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 4:25 PM on October 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
There are not enough HAHAs in the universe.
I wish nothing but humiliation and pain for these degenerates.
May her every tomorrow be worse than any of her yesterdays.
posted by chronkite at 4:28 PM on October 19, 2023 [9 favorites]
I wish nothing but humiliation and pain for these degenerates.
May her every tomorrow be worse than any of her yesterdays.
posted by chronkite at 4:28 PM on October 19, 2023 [9 favorites]
- stop calling her the Kraken? My favorite hockey team has suffered enough this month;
Shall we call her the Habs?
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:38 PM on October 19, 2023 [12 favorites]
Shall we call her the Habs?
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:38 PM on October 19, 2023 [12 favorites]
What would be great if by documents, it means her full, unencrypted phone. You know these people were texting each other constantly for months.
posted by rockindata at 4:45 PM on October 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 4:45 PM on October 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
Does this mean that for the trial next month, the cheese stands alone?
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:46 PM on October 19, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:46 PM on October 19, 2023 [7 favorites]
Prediction: 18 months from now -- book deal, conservative lecture circuit. And maybe an interview on "The 700 Club".
posted by zaixfeep at 5:00 PM on October 19, 2023 [13 favorites]
posted by zaixfeep at 5:00 PM on October 19, 2023 [13 favorites]
Hopefully the “good” deal she got indicates that she had some real evidence to trade. Also, presumably all the other codefendants are seeing this and thinking about what they might get in a plea deal. If she were the tenth to take a deal, I doubt it would be on the same terms. But what do I know? I guess I know that the rest of them are all spineless vermin, so let the backstabbing commence!
posted by snofoam at 5:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by snofoam at 5:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
Hey I almost forgot, the Dominion voting machines defamation claim for 1.3 billion dollars hasn't gone away.
Complaint & Court Filings: Defamation Suit Against Sidney Powell and Related Parties
The defamation suit covers Mike Pillow and drunk goblin Rudy as well.
'We've lost everything, every dime': Mike Lindell explains why he can't pay his legal bills.
Rudy Giuliani Can’t Pay His Bills After Hitching His Wagon to Trump’s Failed Election Coup
So, she's not completely off the hook. And these three? The pillow guy, the drunk guy, the kraken lady - worst legal clients in the world. Big mouths just can't stop lyin', and they don't have the money to cover their bills. And they are guilty as hell. On the world stage, every camera pointed in their direction, replayed on every network for years, standing over the body, bloody knife in hand, saying 'I'm glad I killed the prick'. Guilty, guilty, guilty.
1.3 billion is a lot of money.
posted by adept256 at 5:38 PM on October 19, 2023 [36 favorites]
Complaint & Court Filings: Defamation Suit Against Sidney Powell and Related Parties
The defamation suit covers Mike Pillow and drunk goblin Rudy as well.
'We've lost everything, every dime': Mike Lindell explains why he can't pay his legal bills.
Rudy Giuliani Can’t Pay His Bills After Hitching His Wagon to Trump’s Failed Election Coup
So, she's not completely off the hook. And these three? The pillow guy, the drunk guy, the kraken lady - worst legal clients in the world. Big mouths just can't stop lyin', and they don't have the money to cover their bills. And they are guilty as hell. On the world stage, every camera pointed in their direction, replayed on every network for years, standing over the body, bloody knife in hand, saying 'I'm glad I killed the prick'. Guilty, guilty, guilty.
1.3 billion is a lot of money.
posted by adept256 at 5:38 PM on October 19, 2023 [36 favorites]
Also, presumably all the other codefendants are seeing this and thinking about what they might get in a plea deal.
I will bet that the prospect of landing a big name defector right off the bat played a solid part in the plea negotiations. The door has been opened.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:39 PM on October 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
I will bet that the prospect of landing a big name defector right off the bat played a solid part in the plea negotiations. The door has been opened.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:39 PM on October 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
What is her testimony worth?
I'm assuming whoever offered her the plea deal isn't a complete moron and that she has more to offer than just her testimony under oath.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 6:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [16 favorites]
I'm assuming whoever offered her the plea deal isn't a complete moron and that she has more to offer than just her testimony under oath.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 6:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [16 favorites]
"We don't have any money" doesn't mean the same thing to these guys that it does to the rest of us. Mike Lindell isn't living in a one bedroom apartment above a bodega or anything, Giuliani is still eating well. Their word can't be taken for it, they need to really feel the hurt of being out of money, including capital.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:18 PM on October 19, 2023 [32 favorites]
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:18 PM on October 19, 2023 [32 favorites]
I hope they give Trump a jumpsuit made for someone who is 6 foot 3 inches tall and 215 pounds.
posted by blob at 6:18 PM on October 19, 2023 [64 favorites]
posted by blob at 6:18 PM on October 19, 2023 [64 favorites]
She must be getting ready to incur the wrath of MAGA, watch the plea hearing where she takes a long private chat with her lawyer when asked by the state "do you understand you are not allowed to possess any firearms while on probation?"
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:30 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:30 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
i think we can trust the barracuda style prosecutors that have been running the georgia case are not handing this kind of hall pass out without a lot of collateral. she will have some extremely spicy testimony, and is still completely exposed to federal charges.
posted by Sebmojo at 6:36 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Sebmojo at 6:36 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
I hope they give Trump a jumpsuit made for someone who is 6 foot 3 inches tall and 215 pounds.
Here's a photo of Trump telling Obama how big his golf club is at the urinal. And Obama is 6'1". So the very first thing he does after they read his rights is lie. A silly lie too.
I'm reminded of this occasion when he was asked about his relationship with Angela Merkel. They fucking hate each other, everyone knows that. She's a nuclear physicist and a powerful woman, of course he hates her. But he said they get along fine. He loves Germany. His father was born in Germany! The nice part, y'know? The really nice part of Germany.
His dad was born in Queens. This is an old salesman technique, I'm sure it's in one of the trashy paperback 10 ways to Sell for Success type books. If your mark has an Irish sounding name, say 'Are you Irish? My poppy is from Ireland! The nice part, the green bit'. This doesn't matter if you're trying to sell a used car. No-one is going to look you up on wikipedia.
Trump never changed his blowhard salesman shtick to match the scrutiny presidents are exposed to. He's too old to change, it's just what he is. A sleazy full of shit salesman. Even on his arrest documents, he can't help himself.
And to tie this back to this post, this is how he chose Sidney, Rudy and Pillow. Like his dumb game show, he liked their sales pitch. In his philosophy, you can lie if it makes the deal. It's how he does business.
posted by adept256 at 6:44 PM on October 19, 2023 [25 favorites]
Here's a photo of Trump telling Obama how big his golf club is at the urinal. And Obama is 6'1". So the very first thing he does after they read his rights is lie. A silly lie too.
I'm reminded of this occasion when he was asked about his relationship with Angela Merkel. They fucking hate each other, everyone knows that. She's a nuclear physicist and a powerful woman, of course he hates her. But he said they get along fine. He loves Germany. His father was born in Germany! The nice part, y'know? The really nice part of Germany.
His dad was born in Queens. This is an old salesman technique, I'm sure it's in one of the trashy paperback 10 ways to Sell for Success type books. If your mark has an Irish sounding name, say 'Are you Irish? My poppy is from Ireland! The nice part, the green bit'. This doesn't matter if you're trying to sell a used car. No-one is going to look you up on wikipedia.
Trump never changed his blowhard salesman shtick to match the scrutiny presidents are exposed to. He's too old to change, it's just what he is. A sleazy full of shit salesman. Even on his arrest documents, he can't help himself.
And to tie this back to this post, this is how he chose Sidney, Rudy and Pillow. Like his dumb game show, he liked their sales pitch. In his philosophy, you can lie if it makes the deal. It's how he does business.
posted by adept256 at 6:44 PM on October 19, 2023 [25 favorites]
His dad was born in the Bronx, and was a little over 6'1", which is why Trump clings to 6'3".
Powell's the first high-profile flip, and it's a sweetheart deal to lure the others.
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:38 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
Powell's the first high-profile flip, and it's a sweetheart deal to lure the others.
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:38 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
Once you go Kraken, you can never go backen.
First one that talks is the first one that walks. She has clearly offered the prosecutors a lot in order to get that deal.
posted by Repack Rider at 7:51 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
First one that talks is the first one that walks. She has clearly offered the prosecutors a lot in order to get that deal.
posted by Repack Rider at 7:51 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
Powell's the first high-profile flip, and it's a sweetheart deal to lure the others.
The first deals are always the best ones. Everyone who flips now will get a lesser deal than those that flipped before them, so there are probably a lot of lawyers who are telling their clients that they’d better think about talking to the prosecutors sooner rather than later.
Also, she’s one of the chief architects of the Big Lie. Odds are she has info that could put Trump in deep, deep trouble. Her attorney probably told her, look, they have you dead to rights, if you don’t play ball, you’re going to prison for a long time. (She still should, mind you.) That’s why a true believer would flip. Loyalty goes out the window when you’re faced with the reality that you may be locked up for years and years.
posted by azpenguin at 7:53 PM on October 19, 2023 [24 favorites]
The first deals are always the best ones. Everyone who flips now will get a lesser deal than those that flipped before them, so there are probably a lot of lawyers who are telling their clients that they’d better think about talking to the prosecutors sooner rather than later.
Also, she’s one of the chief architects of the Big Lie. Odds are she has info that could put Trump in deep, deep trouble. Her attorney probably told her, look, they have you dead to rights, if you don’t play ball, you’re going to prison for a long time. (She still should, mind you.) That’s why a true believer would flip. Loyalty goes out the window when you’re faced with the reality that you may be locked up for years and years.
posted by azpenguin at 7:53 PM on October 19, 2023 [24 favorites]
Leash the Kraken!
posted by interogative mood at 8:43 PM on October 19, 2023 [23 favorites]
posted by interogative mood at 8:43 PM on October 19, 2023 [23 favorites]
This is the best example of the prisoner's dilemma I've seen in a while.
posted by Toddles at 8:59 PM on October 19, 2023 [16 favorites]
posted by Toddles at 8:59 PM on October 19, 2023 [16 favorites]
More like Kraken me up.
posted by Marticus at 9:23 PM on October 19, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by Marticus at 9:23 PM on October 19, 2023 [11 favorites]
She better have given up some fucking gold to get a sweet deal like that,
posted by 2N2222 at 9:55 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by 2N2222 at 9:55 PM on October 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
But, oh, if only that was literally actually in real life true...
Nah. We don't do that.
We don't know much about the abyss of the world's oceans. Exploration is extremely difficult and dangerous. You could say the challenges deep-ocean explorers face are equal to those of astronauts.
Maybe Lovecraft read this 1916 Smithsonian report about giant suction marks scarring the skins of whales, and that inspired his nightmarish visions of deep sea supernatural forces. Personally, I see a suction cup mark on a whale the size of a basketball, I don't need to evoke elder gods to be horrified. What the fuck did that?
So I propose a quest of redemption. Call me Ishmael. Wield this plastic snorkel and trident toothpaste, walk into the ocean, and do not return without the kraken.
Or just put her in prison. We don't need to hang anyone for any reason.
posted by adept256 at 11:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
Nah. We don't do that.
We don't know much about the abyss of the world's oceans. Exploration is extremely difficult and dangerous. You could say the challenges deep-ocean explorers face are equal to those of astronauts.
Maybe Lovecraft read this 1916 Smithsonian report about giant suction marks scarring the skins of whales, and that inspired his nightmarish visions of deep sea supernatural forces. Personally, I see a suction cup mark on a whale the size of a basketball, I don't need to evoke elder gods to be horrified. What the fuck did that?
So I propose a quest of redemption. Call me Ishmael. Wield this plastic snorkel and trident toothpaste, walk into the ocean, and do not return without the kraken.
Or just put her in prison. We don't need to hang anyone for any reason.
posted by adept256 at 11:06 PM on October 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
Yeah, the defamation case is still on. She's going to end her days broke and friendless unless she reverses completely and starts a media tour doing mea culpas, and because she pleaded guilty now, she's going to be better off than most of the other defendants.
She is a prime example of the Trump-reverse-Midas-effekt, everything Trump touches turns into shit. There are so many people who voluntarily fucked up their entire lives for Trump who will be looking back in ten years and wondering wtf happened. I don't even think they'll have the Fox News/talk radio to fall back to. When Trump falls, there'll be nothing, the whole thing hinges on his weird charisma.
Yesterday, I read this interview with Don Bacon (NYTimes), a person I disagree with on almost everything. But he had some interesting points
Earlier in my life, I was always confused and curious about why people were seduced by the totalitarian leaders of the 1930s, Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Stalin etc. Because when you see those old newsreels, it looks insane. Now as I see it play out in real time, I am not less confused, but more. At least those 20th century dictators had some documented competencies. Why are some people falling for Trump, and to get back on topic, ruining their entire existence for Trump?
The plain answer is the racism, and right now, Trump is clearly demonstrating how it is the fundamental appeal of his power. But why would a person who has a good, normal life in a big house, is fairly educated and founded a breast cancer charity give up all that for a con-man?
The bad news is that instead of FDR, we have Biden. I don't hate Biden, but he is not an inspiring person.
posted by mumimor at 12:38 AM on October 20, 2023 [16 favorites]
She is a prime example of the Trump-reverse-Midas-effekt, everything Trump touches turns into shit. There are so many people who voluntarily fucked up their entire lives for Trump who will be looking back in ten years and wondering wtf happened. I don't even think they'll have the Fox News/talk radio to fall back to. When Trump falls, there'll be nothing, the whole thing hinges on his weird charisma.
Yesterday, I read this interview with Don Bacon (NYTimes), a person I disagree with on almost everything. But he had some interesting points
I think the new brand of so-called conservatism today is more of populism, because it’s not really conservative in my book. It’s 1930s Republicanism, which was more isolationist, didn’t want to get involved in Europe at all. A lot of the things you hear today from the populist wing sound a lot like the Republicans in the 1930s, and they weren’t very popular. We had F.D.R. They didn’t win back then, either.I'd call it fascism, not populism, but that is probably too far a step for him. The point for me is that the base and the elected politicians have gone outside politics, as fascists do. They want to replace politics with a charismatic leader, and the leader they have chosen to follow in this case is a petty crook and a con-man whose shtick is to pretend to be a billionaire.
Earlier in my life, I was always confused and curious about why people were seduced by the totalitarian leaders of the 1930s, Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Stalin etc. Because when you see those old newsreels, it looks insane. Now as I see it play out in real time, I am not less confused, but more. At least those 20th century dictators had some documented competencies. Why are some people falling for Trump, and to get back on topic, ruining their entire existence for Trump?
The plain answer is the racism, and right now, Trump is clearly demonstrating how it is the fundamental appeal of his power. But why would a person who has a good, normal life in a big house, is fairly educated and founded a breast cancer charity give up all that for a con-man?
The bad news is that instead of FDR, we have Biden. I don't hate Biden, but he is not an inspiring person.
posted by mumimor at 12:38 AM on October 20, 2023 [16 favorites]
There are drawbacks to plea deals, but they might be the best available approach. Not only do they lower the punishment for people near the top, they mean that people at the bottom get punished most because they don't have testimony to trade. And it's coerced testimony, which isn't exactly the most reliable.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 12:48 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 12:48 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
I thought bail bondsman Scott Hall had already flipped on this trial - making Powell the second of the 19 to plead guilty no?
posted by rongorongo at 2:27 AM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by rongorongo at 2:27 AM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
There's very little evidence Scott Hall knew much of anything useful. He's just an Atlanta area bailbondsman who they brought along to Coffee County as muscle. Powell was in the thick of the planning to overturn the election results from the beginning in the Oval Office meetings.
posted by hydropsyche at 3:42 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by hydropsyche at 3:42 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
I thought bail bondsman Scott Hall had already flipped on this trial
Yes he did. And his testimony implicated Powell in a way she couldn't escape, which again forced her to make a deal or face years of time. That's the way RICO works when it does.
It feels unfair that she isn't getting more time, but she is a means to catch an even bigger fish. And also, right now she is an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal Jan 6th case, but it doesn't necessarily remain that way. I mean, she can still be indicted in that case.
posted by mumimor at 3:47 AM on October 20, 2023 [8 favorites]
Yes he did. And his testimony implicated Powell in a way she couldn't escape, which again forced her to make a deal or face years of time. That's the way RICO works when it does.
It feels unfair that she isn't getting more time, but she is a means to catch an even bigger fish. And also, right now she is an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal Jan 6th case, but it doesn't necessarily remain that way. I mean, she can still be indicted in that case.
posted by mumimor at 3:47 AM on October 20, 2023 [8 favorites]
So many cheese and cracken jokes ...
posted by nofundy at 4:16 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by nofundy at 4:16 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
Overshadowed by the Powell flip, but one of the fake electors in Michigan flipped yesterday so hard that the charges against him were dismissed. Game on.
posted by Dashy at 4:57 AM on October 20, 2023 [26 favorites]
posted by Dashy at 4:57 AM on October 20, 2023 [26 favorites]
The list of people who can cut deals is finite. By the looks of it, her testimony, along with Scott Hall's will be enough to put the bigger fish in prison...if that's the plan (still not convinced the end game is prison for Donny 2 Scoops). She will be required to testify against her co-defendants. That's a big list. There may be more plea deals, but they will get progressively worse and ultimately not be offered. Willis doesn't strike me as the type to give something for nothing.
posted by Chuffy at 8:06 AM on October 20, 2023
posted by Chuffy at 8:06 AM on October 20, 2023
EvilDoug I agree with the sentiment, but I'd rather have them wearing orange jumpsuits and cleaning up garbage on the side of the road, building homeless shelters, and so on.
Bankrupting 'em and make them work for the betterment of humanity for the rest of their miserable lives is a better option than just putting them in a cage.
For people like that financial ruin and humiliation are the penalties that really hurt.
posted by sotonohito at 8:23 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
Bankrupting 'em and make them work for the betterment of humanity for the rest of their miserable lives is a better option than just putting them in a cage.
For people like that financial ruin and humiliation are the penalties that really hurt.
posted by sotonohito at 8:23 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
If it shifts the percentage chance of a conviction that includes prison for the biggest fish in this RICO case (Rudy, Meadows, Eastman, the Orange One, plus I'd include Jeffrey Clark and Jenna Ellis because F those 2 bottom feeders), I'm happy with the rest of them flipping to make that happen. I expect several more to flip as a result of this one.
Powell is both deranged and a cancer, but even with avoiding prison she's effectively radioactive to the whole world now: She's dead to MAGA, already dead to reasonable people, nowhere left to go. Sad!
posted by mcstayinskool at 8:34 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Powell is both deranged and a cancer, but even with avoiding prison she's effectively radioactive to the whole world now: She's dead to MAGA, already dead to reasonable people, nowhere left to go. Sad!
posted by mcstayinskool at 8:34 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Breaking news via Anna Bower of Lawfare on the bird site: "Kenneth Chesebro, alleged architect of the “fake electors” plot, has struck a plea deal with prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, per source familiar with the arrangement." Pleading guilty to criminal charges including at least one felony.
posted by dnash at 9:25 AM on October 20, 2023 [22 favorites]
posted by dnash at 9:25 AM on October 20, 2023 [22 favorites]
kyloren_more.gif
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 9:31 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 9:31 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Breaking news via Anna Bower of Lawfare on the bird site: "Kenneth Chesebro, alleged architect of the “fake electors” plot, has struck a plea deal with prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, per source familiar with the arrangement." Pleading guilty to criminal charges including at least one felony.
Rats, sinking ship, etc. For the good plea deals, you want to be in the first group. If you wait, the sweet deals are likely no longer on the table, and meanwhile the legal bills just keep mounting up.
Now, who's next?
posted by Dip Flash at 9:41 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Rats, sinking ship, etc. For the good plea deals, you want to be in the first group. If you wait, the sweet deals are likely no longer on the table, and meanwhile the legal bills just keep mounting up.
Now, who's next?
posted by Dip Flash at 9:41 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Livestream of Chesebro's plea.
Chesebro and his attorney seemed overall pleased with the deal, which is not surprising since he escaped without prison, though the felony conviction may make it pretty hard for Chesebro to keep his law license. Apparently he's planning to go to Puerto Rico soon? I wonder how much of that is "vacation" and how much is hiding out from violent Trump supporters.
posted by jedicus at 9:44 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Chesebro and his attorney seemed overall pleased with the deal, which is not surprising since he escaped without prison, though the felony conviction may make it pretty hard for Chesebro to keep his law license. Apparently he's planning to go to Puerto Rico soon? I wonder how much of that is "vacation" and how much is hiding out from violent Trump supporters.
posted by jedicus at 9:44 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
For the good plea deals, you want to be in the first group. If you wait,
And you see that here. Powell got away with pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges. Those kinds of terms are apparently no longer on offer, because Chesebro is pleading guilty to a felony.
posted by Ipsifendus at 9:45 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
And you see that here. Powell got away with pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges. Those kinds of terms are apparently no longer on offer, because Chesebro is pleading guilty to a felony.
posted by Ipsifendus at 9:45 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
His attorney said he lives in Puerto Rico, not a visit, that's where he wants to do his probation.
posted by cmfletcher at 9:47 AM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 9:47 AM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
His attorney said he lives in Puerto Rico, not a visit, that's where he wants to do his probation.
Ah thank you for the clarification. I only caught the end of the stream.
posted by jedicus at 9:48 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ah thank you for the clarification. I only caught the end of the stream.
posted by jedicus at 9:48 AM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
I WANT FUCKING BLOOD!
- evilDoug
Eponysterical?
I kid, I kid, I'm with you in your fury and frustration.
posted by MiraK at 9:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
- evilDoug
Eponysterical?
I kid, I kid, I'm with you in your fury and frustration.
posted by MiraK at 9:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
Livestream of Chesebro's plea.
Man, that must be pretty sobering.
And now, Trump is toast.
posted by mumimor at 9:56 AM on October 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
Man, that must be pretty sobering.
And now, Trump is toast.
posted by mumimor at 9:56 AM on October 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
Criminal defense attorney Bruce Rivers has his take on Powell’s plea deal.
I think we’ll see a rush to cut deals by a number of other co-defendants. I also predict a collapse of Trump’s support as the reality of this sinks in.
posted by interogative mood at 9:59 AM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
I think we’ll see a rush to cut deals by a number of other co-defendants. I also predict a collapse of Trump’s support as the reality of this sinks in.
posted by interogative mood at 9:59 AM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
"Georgia Rico, my heart's devotion . . ."
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:03 AM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:03 AM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
There's plenty of room in the Wicker Man for these people -- crowd them in!!
posted by wenestvedt at 10:11 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 10:11 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
Been trying to keep myself solidly arm's-length from real-time gawking on politics stuff but by god I'm following along on this one.
posted by cortex at 10:31 AM on October 20, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by cortex at 10:31 AM on October 20, 2023 [10 favorites]
But why would a person who has a good, normal life in a big house, is fairly educated and founded a breast cancer charity give up all that for a con-man?
mumimor, you're right about the racism. But I don't think Trump or any MAGA movement could operate without an enormous media machine devoted to creating an alternate reality. Fox News is the nice version of it. Social media offers our parents and grandparents a walk-in tub full of hate and madness. I think QAnon could have only really come to fruition with a visibly incompetent leader like Trump. It promised you your eyes were lying when you saw him.
posted by Countess Elena at 10:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
mumimor, you're right about the racism. But I don't think Trump or any MAGA movement could operate without an enormous media machine devoted to creating an alternate reality. Fox News is the nice version of it. Social media offers our parents and grandparents a walk-in tub full of hate and madness. I think QAnon could have only really come to fruition with a visibly incompetent leader like Trump. It promised you your eyes were lying when you saw him.
posted by Countess Elena at 10:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Anyone else read the name "Cheesebro" and immediately hear an extended monologue by Bob Mortimer in their head? Just me? Never mind.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:12 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:12 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
Cheese and krackens with whine.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:25 AM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 11:25 AM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
The other part of the plea for Krakenator is that six years is a loooong time to keep her nose clean. She violates probation and there’s plenty of options that land her behind bars. Not entirely a slap on the wrist. Entitled people don’t do well with regular check-ins, and the BS that comes with this type of thing.
All the criminals orbiting Hair Furor will find it hard to stay out of trouble.
posted by Chuffy at 11:35 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
All the criminals orbiting Hair Furor will find it hard to stay out of trouble.
posted by Chuffy at 11:35 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
This is great; allegedly, Chesebro and Powell operated different arms of the same grotesque body of deceit: "Former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell also is seeking an October 23 trial date, but Chesebro attorney Scott Grubman said Wednesday that they should not be combined. He argued Chesebro’s alleged crimes are tied to the fake electors plot and Powell’s case is mostly about the breach of voting machines in Coffee County. If there is a joint Chesebro-Powell trial, 'you’re going to have two cases in one. You’re going to have days if not weeks — God forbid months — of testimony just related to the Coffee County allegations,' Grubman said." (CNN, Sept. 6, 2023)
Last year, Powell's nonprofit was suspected of funding the Oath Keepers' million-dollar defense. Defending the Republic [a 501(c)4] raised $16 million after the Jan. 6 attacks; Powell's its president and treasurer; Powell falsified documents for it; "Powell is suspected of raiding money from a nonprofit that is said to be paying the defense fees for Jan. 6 [2021] insurrectionists."
The nonprofit was founded on Dec. 1, 2020.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:38 AM on October 20, 2023 [13 favorites]
Last year, Powell's nonprofit was suspected of funding the Oath Keepers' million-dollar defense. Defending the Republic [a 501(c)4] raised $16 million after the Jan. 6 attacks; Powell's its president and treasurer; Powell falsified documents for it; "Powell is suspected of raiding money from a nonprofit that is said to be paying the defense fees for Jan. 6 [2021] insurrectionists."
The nonprofit was founded on Dec. 1, 2020.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:38 AM on October 20, 2023 [13 favorites]
She violates probation and there’s plenty of options that land her behind bars.
Dear Sidney,
I'm sorry to hear about your probation, though I am sure you will bear it with grace and dignity. Please enjoy this box of premium quality wine with my regards.
posted by adept256 at 11:45 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
Dear Sidney,
I'm sorry to hear about your probation, though I am sure you will bear it with grace and dignity. Please enjoy this box of premium quality wine with my regards.
posted by adept256 at 11:45 AM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
The fact that there may be cases looming against these two in Michigan, Arizona and with Jack Smith at the Federal Level will put them under tremendous pressure to cooperate with all those investigations as well. The last thing they want is to be charged with anything else, because then they are risking having their probation lifted.
posted by interogative mood at 11:48 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by interogative mood at 11:48 AM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Pleading guilty to criminal charges including at least one felony.
And there it is, perhaps a textbook example of the first to flip gets the best deal (Powell copped to no felonies) and every person who goes later gets a deal just a bit less sweet.
posted by tclark at 11:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
And there it is, perhaps a textbook example of the first to flip gets the best deal (Powell copped to no felonies) and every person who goes later gets a deal just a bit less sweet.
posted by tclark at 11:55 AM on October 20, 2023 [7 favorites]
Six misdemeanors, six years, $6K? Ha - the Kraken's got the Mark of the Beast on her now.
posted by queensissy at 12:07 PM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by queensissy at 12:07 PM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
These fines are really small.
posted by ryanrs at 12:18 PM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 12:18 PM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
lotta low-level Jan 6 defendants gonna be extremely pissed at these deals
posted by ryanrs at 1:03 PM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 1:03 PM on October 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
lotta low-level Jan 6 defendants gonna be extremely pissed at these dealsGee, that's too bad.
posted by Flunkie at 1:14 PM on October 20, 2023 [29 favorites]
lotta low-level Jan 6 defendants gonna be extremely pissed at these deals
Yet more proof that being a low-level stooge is never a good career move.
posted by Dip Flash at 3:12 PM on October 20, 2023 [8 favorites]
Yet more proof that being a low-level stooge is never a good career move.
posted by Dip Flash at 3:12 PM on October 20, 2023 [8 favorites]
MrVisible sadly closes the tab containing a half-completed job application for an Executive Conflict Facilitator at Cobra.
posted by MrVisible at 3:35 PM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by MrVisible at 3:35 PM on October 20, 2023 [4 favorites]
Yet more proof that being a low-level stooge is never a good career move.
Turned out pretty well for Gary / Henchman 21, but The Monarch is a lot more level-headed and reasonable than Trump.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:12 PM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Turned out pretty well for Gary / Henchman 21, but The Monarch is a lot more level-headed and reasonable than Trump.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:12 PM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
being a low-level stooge is never a good career move.
On the upside, Low-Level Stooge looks great on a business card.
And you can't deny the possibility of someday achieving a promotion to high-level stooge.
posted by flabdablet at 5:15 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
On the upside, Low-Level Stooge looks great on a business card.
And you can't deny the possibility of someday achieving a promotion to high-level stooge.
posted by flabdablet at 5:15 PM on October 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Possibility of getting sidetracked into being a “goon” or a “mook”.
posted by Artw at 5:24 PM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by Artw at 5:24 PM on October 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
nah, looks better on a business card than you may think
posted by Flunkie at 6:19 PM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Flunkie at 6:19 PM on October 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Yet more proof that being a low-level stooge is never a good career move.
Turned out pretty well for Gary / Henchman 21, but The Monarch is a lot more level-headed and reasonable than Trump.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace
A callout to Venture Bros. and no one thought to mention the in-universe "Scott Hall" aka Henchman Zero (he henches for no one)? Y'all are slipping.
- zaixfeep (Team Dr. Sheila Schmetterling-Fitzcarraldo, level 10 supervillain in her own gotdam right)
posted by zaixfeep at 6:55 PM on October 20, 2023
Turned out pretty well for Gary / Henchman 21, but The Monarch is a lot more level-headed and reasonable than Trump.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace
A callout to Venture Bros. and no one thought to mention the in-universe "Scott Hall" aka Henchman Zero (he henches for no one)? Y'all are slipping.
- zaixfeep (Team Dr. Sheila Schmetterling-Fitzcarraldo, level 10 supervillain in her own gotdam right)
posted by zaixfeep at 6:55 PM on October 20, 2023
...is a lot more level-headed and reasonable than Trump.
Dear lord, the mental connection just sparked. It all fits...
D. J. Trump is pre-death Beetlejuice!
Lydia Deets was underage
Chuck Deets was in real estate
posted by zaixfeep at 7:12 PM on October 20, 2023
Dear lord, the mental connection just sparked. It all fits...
D. J. Trump is pre-death Beetlejuice!
Lydia Deets was underage
Chuck Deets was in real estate
posted by zaixfeep at 7:12 PM on October 20, 2023
Hermanos!!!
posted by Windopaene at 7:14 PM on October 20, 2023
posted by Windopaene at 7:14 PM on October 20, 2023
Why are some people falling for Trump, and to get back on topic, ruining their entire existence for Trump?
The plain answer is the racism
I don't think it's all that. For some it is all that. I think for others though it's this rich-person's ennui. The Trump orbit promises mediocre and just shit-level people access to the glamorous world of millions of dollars flying around, intrigue, being talked about in media, "changing the world"
And like kids dreaming of being pro sports stars, sure, only a small fraction "make it", but some do, and they want to win that lottery. In this case it would be ending up as one of the insider oligarch ruling class after the big change they think might come. Russia is the model here, and they want to end up in the ruler's favor, allowed to be a kleptocrat with impunity.
posted by ctmf at 10:55 AM on October 21, 2023 [10 favorites]
The plain answer is the racism
I don't think it's all that. For some it is all that. I think for others though it's this rich-person's ennui. The Trump orbit promises mediocre and just shit-level people access to the glamorous world of millions of dollars flying around, intrigue, being talked about in media, "changing the world"
And like kids dreaming of being pro sports stars, sure, only a small fraction "make it", but some do, and they want to win that lottery. In this case it would be ending up as one of the insider oligarch ruling class after the big change they think might come. Russia is the model here, and they want to end up in the ruler's favor, allowed to be a kleptocrat with impunity.
posted by ctmf at 10:55 AM on October 21, 2023 [10 favorites]
Question for the legal experts here:
Both plea deals (Powell and Chesebro) require providing evidence and giving truthful testimony. Is there any change to their status if it's found they DON'T give evidence or testimony to the satisfaction of the prosecutors? I could swear there was a previous Trump-related plea deal (related to Russia, I think) where the defendant's cooperation was not satisfactory to the prosecutors and he was up for additional sentencing.
posted by kristi at 5:25 PM on October 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
Both plea deals (Powell and Chesebro) require providing evidence and giving truthful testimony. Is there any change to their status if it's found they DON'T give evidence or testimony to the satisfaction of the prosecutors? I could swear there was a previous Trump-related plea deal (related to Russia, I think) where the defendant's cooperation was not satisfactory to the prosecutors and he was up for additional sentencing.
posted by kristi at 5:25 PM on October 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
kristi, maybe Paul Manafort, in 2018? Plea deal struck in Sept. 2018 (CNN), promising "broad" cooperation; two months later, "Mueller says Manafort Broke his Plea Deal (PBS), by lying to special counsel team and the FBI "on a variety of subject matters."
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:38 PM on October 21, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:38 PM on October 21, 2023 [2 favorites]
Manafort later got a pardon for his shenanigans, Trump can’t make that kind of arrangement for these defendants.
posted by interogative mood at 10:34 PM on October 21, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by interogative mood at 10:34 PM on October 21, 2023 [3 favorites]
Manafort later got a pardon for his shenanigans,
Yeah, but he ain't never getting the $15,000 ostrich jacket back.
posted by mikelieman at 5:09 AM on October 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
Yeah, but he ain't never getting the $15,000 ostrich jacket back.
posted by mikelieman at 5:09 AM on October 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Pratt tape
I got about four minutes in and just could not stand to look at those two repulsive orange-haired old white men any longer. Looks significant, but not surprising. Will one of the prosecutors be able to use this information? Perhaps the rest of the world will help us finally take down the orange asshole since it’s been taking us so long and his damage continues to fester.
Must go watch cute puppies now. Maybe Leo and Lilly.
posted by Glinn at 7:39 AM on October 22, 2023
I got about four minutes in and just could not stand to look at those two repulsive orange-haired old white men any longer. Looks significant, but not surprising. Will one of the prosecutors be able to use this information? Perhaps the rest of the world will help us finally take down the orange asshole since it’s been taking us so long and his damage continues to fester.
Must go watch cute puppies now. Maybe Leo and Lilly.
posted by Glinn at 7:39 AM on October 22, 2023
Here is the story in "print", if that is easier to stomach. Among other things Pratt says out loud that he offered Giuliani 1.000.000 dollars to come to his birthday party in Australia, in order to gain influence with Trump. Then COVID happened, but Giuliani still delivered by calling every week. This can't be very good with both the RICO case and the documents case underway.
The King of the UK is also hung out to dry, which seems so stupid, given how much money that king already has. These are interesting times.
There's more about Trump, but we already know he is a crook.
posted by mumimor at 7:51 AM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
The King of the UK is also hung out to dry, which seems so stupid, given how much money that king already has. These are interesting times.
There's more about Trump, but we already know he is a crook.
posted by mumimor at 7:51 AM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Can we use this sites covert influence over all culture to make Hunter Biden’s laptop into a go to ironic oath or expression of surprise. For example: By I swear by Hunter Biden’s laptop we shall journey to the grocery store and get the shopping done. Or after seeing the Pratt Tapes: Holy Hunter Biden’s Laptop!
posted by interogative mood at 8:39 AM on October 22, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by interogative mood at 8:39 AM on October 22, 2023 [7 favorites]
It's hilarious how Pratt talks in terms that make a joke like Rudy seem like some kind of slick operator, or treat Trump's "tell that guy to steal for me" tactic like some genius legal move, just to make himself sound cooler for moving in that world. It really just makes him sound like an easily-impressed idiot with too much money.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:20 AM on October 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 9:20 AM on October 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
After Rupert and Pratt, I feel like I should apologize for my country not sending its best into the International Community.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 5:00 PM on October 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 5:00 PM on October 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
Hunter Biden's laptop butters no emails.
posted by flabdablet at 5:03 PM on October 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 5:03 PM on October 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
I feel like I should apologize for my country not sending its best into the International Community.
Some, I assume, are good people.
posted by flabdablet at 5:04 PM on October 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
Some, I assume, are good people.
posted by flabdablet at 5:04 PM on October 22, 2023 [6 favorites]
Some, I assume, are good people.
I guess there's Hugh Jackman, Olivia Newton John, Margot Robbie, and Bluey.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 5:22 PM on October 22, 2023 [7 favorites]
I guess there's Hugh Jackman, Olivia Newton John, Margot Robbie, and Bluey.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 5:22 PM on October 22, 2023 [7 favorites]
great, now the Hemsworths are mad
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:30 PM on October 22, 2023
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:30 PM on October 22, 2023
Cate Blanchett. Is all you need.
posted by Glinn at 8:51 PM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Glinn at 8:51 PM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Jenna Ellis, Former Trump Lawyer, Pleads Guilty in Georgia Election Case
15 more to go...
posted by mumimor at 7:11 AM on October 24, 2023 [11 favorites]
15 more to go...
posted by mumimor at 7:11 AM on October 24, 2023 [11 favorites]
Third Trump lawyer, Jenna Ellis, pleads guilty in Georgia subversion case [BBC]:
Through tears, she told the court on Tuesday: "If I knew then what I know now I would have declined to represent Donald Trump in these post election challenges. I look back on this full experience with deep remorse for those failures."posted by mazola at 7:52 AM on October 24, 2023
"I relied on others, including lawyers with many more years of experience than I to provide me with true and reliable information, especially since my role involved speaking to the media and to legislators in various states," she added.
"What I did not do but should have done your honour was to make sure that the facts the other lawyers alleged to be true, were in fact true."
They now have three former lawyers going state's evidence on the Trump-Eastman-Giuliani. How many more will seek plea deals? Because they're getting to the point where they don't need the evidence anymore, which means the deals will get progressively worse from here on out. Ellis is a huge win as she was very much a coordinator that probably talked directly to Trump-Eastman-Giuliani more than, say, Powell.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 7:56 AM on October 24, 2023
posted by Lord Chancellor at 7:56 AM on October 24, 2023
Ex-Trump attorney Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in Georgia election interference case [NPR]
In exchange for truthful testimony at future trials, Ellis pleaded guilty to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings. She had been charged with two counts, including racketeering.posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:07 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
I so want to be a fly on the wall when the first defendant seeking a deal and hears "Nah, we pretty much have all the testimony we need."
posted by cmfletcher at 8:34 AM on October 24, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 8:34 AM on October 24, 2023 [11 favorites]
I thought this was notable in the Washington Post story on Ellis's plea deal:
posted by jedicus at 9:16 AM on October 24, 2023 [10 favorites]
As part of their plea deals, Hall, Powell and Chesebro each recorded a lengthy video answering prosecutors’ questions about their roles and the roles of others in the alleged election interference conspiracy.I'm assuming Ellis will do the same, but in any case that was a smart move by Fani Willis, getting the testimony on tape so they can't pull a Manafort.
posted by jedicus at 9:16 AM on October 24, 2023 [10 favorites]
The lawyers went down to Georgia
They were looking for votes to steal
Now they’re in a bind, leaving Trump behind,
And looking to make a deal
posted by house-goblin at 9:24 AM on October 24, 2023 [10 favorites]
They were looking for votes to steal
Now they’re in a bind, leaving Trump behind,
And looking to make a deal
posted by house-goblin at 9:24 AM on October 24, 2023 [10 favorites]
BBC Liveblog Michael Cohen testifies against Trump in fraud trial
"Obviously."
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 9:37 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Trump assumed his usual courtroom pose of a stony face and folded arms as Cohen entered the courtroom.
Trump appeared to look in his former fixer's direction as he took the stand, but obviously, this being court, said nothing.
"Obviously."
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 9:37 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Was stony-faced Jesus beside him this time?
cw: NY Post
posted by MtDewd at 10:06 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
cw: NY Post
posted by MtDewd at 10:06 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Jay Kuo: Trump’s Offensive
Tl;dr They are largely there to set up appeals and cause delay, but likely won't do much on either front.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:36 AM on October 24, 2023 [3 favorites]
Last night at midnight was the court-imposed deadline for defendant Trump to file motions to dismiss the federal case in D.C. brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith. And just under the wire, he brought four new motions, bringing the total number of such motions to five:
Tl;dr They are largely there to set up appeals and cause delay, but likely won't do much on either front.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:36 AM on October 24, 2023 [3 favorites]
I never understood why he froze out Cohen. Just give him a pardon, blather something about an unfair witch hunt, and Cohen stays a lap dog instead of an antagonized insider.
He can't possibly have been worried about the pardon looking bad. Well, I guess he could've in some sense and to some degree, insofar as "I better blather something about an unfair witch hunt when I do this", but he can't possibly have been worried about the pardon being bad. That would go 180 degrees against his long-ingrained world view.
posted by Flunkie at 12:26 PM on October 24, 2023
He can't possibly have been worried about the pardon looking bad. Well, I guess he could've in some sense and to some degree, insofar as "I better blather something about an unfair witch hunt when I do this", but he can't possibly have been worried about the pardon being bad. That would go 180 degrees against his long-ingrained world view.
posted by Flunkie at 12:26 PM on October 24, 2023
I'm pretty sure the answe on Cohen is that he wasn't Donald John Trump so President Trump saw no reason to do anything for him.
posted by sotonohito at 1:27 PM on October 24, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 1:27 PM on October 24, 2023 [4 favorites]
Yeah, Trump isn't going to buy out Giuliani or Meadows either. Mainly because he can't, since he can't hand out pardons anymore, but also because he doesn't give a shit.
posted by mumimor at 1:45 PM on October 24, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 1:45 PM on October 24, 2023 [2 favorites]
Ex-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows granted immunity, tells special counsel he warned Trump about 2020 claims: Sources
posted by Artw at 2:05 PM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 2:05 PM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Stony-faced Jesus has remarkably small hands.
Meadows, hahaha I knew it! Can I pick the case of turtle wax? There's no secondary market for ongoing shame from the state of this nation.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:17 PM on October 24, 2023
Meadows, hahaha I knew it! Can I pick the case of turtle wax? There's no secondary market for ongoing shame from the state of this nation.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:17 PM on October 24, 2023
Pretty big fish to let go.
posted by Artw at 2:23 PM on October 24, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:23 PM on October 24, 2023 [2 favorites]
I never understood why he froze out Cohen. Just give him a pardon, blather something about an unfair witch hunt, and Cohen stays a lap dog instead of an antagonized insider.
Because Cohen talked. Gates got frozen out of the pardon process too. Who got the pardons? Those who didn't talk.
Now Trump can't even dangle that in front of people.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 2:26 PM on October 24, 2023
Because Cohen talked. Gates got frozen out of the pardon process too. Who got the pardons? Those who didn't talk.
Now Trump can't even dangle that in front of people.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 2:26 PM on October 24, 2023
Way I remember it was that Cohen talked well after it seemed to have become clear that Trump wasn't going to help him.
posted by Flunkie at 2:33 PM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Flunkie at 2:33 PM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Trump has a history of enjoying humiliating Cohen. Possibly backfired on him.
posted by orange ball at 2:53 PM on October 24, 2023
posted by orange ball at 2:53 PM on October 24, 2023
Cohen thought he was that one guy in that movie about the Mafia, but then it turned out he was that other guy in that movie about the Mafia.
posted by box at 5:28 PM on October 24, 2023 [15 favorites]
posted by box at 5:28 PM on October 24, 2023 [15 favorites]
The Guardian has an article about Meadows' testimony.
It seems he can still go to jail in Georgia, and it makes even more sense now why he wants to move the case to Federal Court, since has limited immunity there. Meadows is a really slimy person, a true representation of the banality of evil.
posted by mumimor at 10:33 PM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
It seems he can still go to jail in Georgia, and it makes even more sense now why he wants to move the case to Federal Court, since has limited immunity there. Meadows is a really slimy person, a true representation of the banality of evil.
posted by mumimor at 10:33 PM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Marcy Wheeler on the Meadows press release.
posted by away for regrooving at 12:05 AM on October 25, 2023
posted by away for regrooving at 12:05 AM on October 25, 2023
BREAKING NEWS: Trump pleads guilty to violent sedition! Disgraced former president wearily agrees to a $0.21 fine and four three days hours of probationary community service golf at the Little Donnie Foundation at Mar-a-Lago.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:52 AM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:52 AM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
It occurred to me that all those flipped people are going to need witness protection.
I was wondering why Meadows didn't flip fast, like yesterday, since as it says in the Marcy Wheeler bit above, there are hundreds of text messages between him and the criming lawyers.
With the lawyers, Trump can -- sort of -- claim they are crazy and it was their own thing though he supported it, and he didn't know it was criminal and they should have known, being lawyers. But with Meadows it's the same as with Cohen: Trump can't escape. So instead he lashes out, and then the violent and dangerous trumpists react.
posted by mumimor at 1:55 AM on October 25, 2023
I was wondering why Meadows didn't flip fast, like yesterday, since as it says in the Marcy Wheeler bit above, there are hundreds of text messages between him and the criming lawyers.
With the lawyers, Trump can -- sort of -- claim they are crazy and it was their own thing though he supported it, and he didn't know it was criminal and they should have known, being lawyers. But with Meadows it's the same as with Cohen: Trump can't escape. So instead he lashes out, and then the violent and dangerous trumpists react.
posted by mumimor at 1:55 AM on October 25, 2023
Or strike that: it's more likely just what Occam's razor says: Meadows is a fascist who likes fascism and is holding out for the next coup which will be better planned and more succesfull.
posted by mumimor at 2:00 AM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mumimor at 2:00 AM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ex-Trump attorney Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in Georgia election interference case [NPR]
When they invoke Christianity in their plea, they are guilty as fuck and they know it.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:13 AM on October 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
When they invoke Christianity in their plea, they are guilty as fuck and they know it.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:13 AM on October 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Long ago someone said to me 'They used to say that patriotism was the last refuge of a scoundrel. Nowadays, I think it's religion.'
Don't remember what that was in reference to. It could have been many things. Maybe Chuck Colson.
posted by MtDewd at 5:29 AM on October 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
Don't remember what that was in reference to. It could have been many things. Maybe Chuck Colson.
posted by MtDewd at 5:29 AM on October 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
― James Waterman Wise
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 6:25 AM on October 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
― James Waterman Wise
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 6:25 AM on October 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Isn’t that how fascism has arrived pretty much anywhere?
posted by eviemath at 6:33 AM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by eviemath at 6:33 AM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
I think there was a time when non-fascist Americans might have thought flags and rosses were good.
posted by Artw at 7:49 AM on October 25, 2023
posted by Artw at 7:49 AM on October 25, 2023
Some places like Norway it arrives at the end of a tank cannon
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:52 AM on October 25, 2023
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:52 AM on October 25, 2023
In a bid to rewrite the traditional definition of chutzpah as murdering your parents and asking for mercy as an orphan, Trump’s lawyers move for a delay because of COVID risk.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 9:33 AM on October 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 9:33 AM on October 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
Trump fraud trial live updates: Trump fined $10,000 for breaching gag order - BBC News
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:01 PM on October 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Judge Engoron has fined Donald Trump $10,000 (£8,200) for violating gag orders.
The fine is because of comments Trump made earlier today when he appeared to insult the court clerk.
Trump told media: Engoron was “very partisan judge with a person who is very partisan sitting alongside him, perhaps even more partisan than he is.”
He'll raise a few hundred grand off of that ten.
posted by Flunkie at 12:18 PM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Flunkie at 12:18 PM on October 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
He'll raise a few hundred grand off of that ten.
Absolutely, but what happens when the verdict falls and he has to hand over millions or billions and is restricted from business in NYS? Something has probably been handed over to Ivanka and Jared, and he won't die poor yet, but his fortune and income will be severely limited.
posted by mumimor at 12:31 PM on October 25, 2023
Absolutely, but what happens when the verdict falls and he has to hand over millions or billions and is restricted from business in NYS? Something has probably been handed over to Ivanka and Jared, and he won't die poor yet, but his fortune and income will be severely limited.
posted by mumimor at 12:31 PM on October 25, 2023
Siding with Trump, the ACLU says a judge's gag order in Jan. 6 case is too sweeping [NPR]
ACLU attorneys Brett Max Kaufman, Ben Wizner and Brian Hauss wrote that restrictions that seek to stop Trump from "targeting" prosecutors and witnesses are vague because it's not clear what "targeting" might mean.posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 4:04 PM on October 25, 2023
"In the context of the order, it could mean something as innocuous as 'name' or 'identify,' or something much more violent," they wrote. "One could target another with respectful but vigorous political advocacy, or target them for
physical violence or death."
I think the ACLU is underrating the extremity of the fringes of TFG's wingnut base.
posted by flabdablet at 4:55 PM on October 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 4:55 PM on October 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
ACLU re-upping its rep in case anyone forgot Charlottesville.
posted by Artw at 4:57 PM on October 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Artw at 4:57 PM on October 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
"In the context of the order, it could mean something as innocuous as 'name' or 'identify,' or something much more violent,"
In the context of a guy at the head of a cult of personality who has a bunch of armed followers and loves to dabble in stochastic terrorism, those things aren't innocuous
posted by jason_steakums at 5:08 PM on October 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
In the context of a guy at the head of a cult of personality who has a bunch of armed followers and loves to dabble in stochastic terrorism, those things aren't innocuous
posted by jason_steakums at 5:08 PM on October 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
Judge Engoron has fined Donald Trump $10,000 (£8,200) for violating gag orders.
If he keeps doubling the fine each time, it won't take all that many violations before things get very expensive.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 PM on October 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
If he keeps doubling the fine each time, it won't take all that many violations before things get very expensive.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 PM on October 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
Judge defends fining Trump $10,000 for breaking gag order | CNN Politics
“Using imprecise language as an excuse to create plausible ambiguity about whether defendant violated this Court’s unequivocal gag order is not a defense; the subject of Donald Trump’s public statement to the press was unmistakably clear,” the judge wrote Thursday. “As the trier of fact, I find that Donald Trump was referring to my Principal Law Clerk, as such, he has intentionally violated the gag order.”posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 3:25 PM on October 26, 2023 [8 favorites]
Judge reinstates gag order on Trump in federal election subversion case
posted by Artw at 5:35 PM on October 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 5:35 PM on October 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
Judge reinstates gag order on Trump in federal election subversion case
Brian Taylor Cohen discusses a key aspect of this decision - which was Jack Smith's suggestion that the gag order should be re-instated as a condition of Trump's ongoing release on bail.
posted by rongorongo at 2:02 AM on October 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Brian Taylor Cohen discusses a key aspect of this decision - which was Jack Smith's suggestion that the gag order should be re-instated as a condition of Trump's ongoing release on bail.
posted by rongorongo at 2:02 AM on October 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Arthur Ray Hanson, II [of Alabama], has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta on charges of transmitting interstate threats to injure Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat because of their connections to the Fulton County, Georgia, investigation of former President Donald Trump. (DOJ)
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:21 PM on October 31, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:21 PM on October 31, 2023 [4 favorites]
... a novel defense has been emerging from two of Trump’s remaining 14 co-defendants in Georgia, where prosecutors allege there was a vast conspiracy to steal the 2020 election through a pressure campaign that included cajoling state officials, harassing local election workers and urging illegitimate Trump electors to cast ballots in seven states that Joe Biden won.
The argument? The 2020 election really was stolen.
Lawyers for one of those defendants, Harrison Floyd, appeared in court Friday morning to argue that their client is entitled to thousands of pages of election records from Fulton County and the Georgia secretary of state. “They opened the door — we didn’t,” Chris Kachouroff, one of Floyd’s lawyers, argued during the hearing — a reference to the Fulton prosecution team’s language in the indictment stating that Trump lost. “We have the right to rebut that.”
To do so, Floyd’s lawyers argued, they must be allowed access to some of the same material for which election conspiracy theorists have been clamoring for years: cast-vote records from voting machines, ballot reports, every envelope received with absentee ballots, every absentee ballot application and much more.
The argument serves as a major test of the breadth of the Fulton indictment. Because prosecutors have alleged that Floyd and the other defendants “knowingly” lied, his lawyers say they have the right to try to prove it wasn’t a lie at all. (A novel defense in Trump’s Georgia case: The 2020 election really was stolen, WaPo, Nov. 3, 2023) (Gift link) (#AintNobodyGotTimeForThat)
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:17 PM on November 4, 2023 [5 favorites]
The argument? The 2020 election really was stolen.
Lawyers for one of those defendants, Harrison Floyd, appeared in court Friday morning to argue that their client is entitled to thousands of pages of election records from Fulton County and the Georgia secretary of state. “They opened the door — we didn’t,” Chris Kachouroff, one of Floyd’s lawyers, argued during the hearing — a reference to the Fulton prosecution team’s language in the indictment stating that Trump lost. “We have the right to rebut that.”
To do so, Floyd’s lawyers argued, they must be allowed access to some of the same material for which election conspiracy theorists have been clamoring for years: cast-vote records from voting machines, ballot reports, every envelope received with absentee ballots, every absentee ballot application and much more.
The argument serves as a major test of the breadth of the Fulton indictment. Because prosecutors have alleged that Floyd and the other defendants “knowingly” lied, his lawyers say they have the right to try to prove it wasn’t a lie at all. (A novel defense in Trump’s Georgia case: The 2020 election really was stolen, WaPo, Nov. 3, 2023) (Gift link) (#AintNobodyGotTimeForThat)
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:17 PM on November 4, 2023 [5 favorites]
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posted by I-Write-Essays at 3:26 PM on October 19, 2023 [14 favorites]