January 6th legal proceedings and investigations megathread

[Progressive Pessimist]

For all the talk of Trump's defense team being dumber than a bag of bricks from people here and elsewhere, I think they've actually done reasonably well in their efforts to delay all of Trump's trials but the weaker New York one.

Agreed. And I think the judge outsmarted them on that one. They thought March 25 was just a placeholder and they'd be able to move it at the hearing last month because of the other trials, and the judge was like, nope everything is delayed so no reason we can't just go ahead and use the placeholder and you already decided not to appeal the immunity issue so it's on. lol

I mean I think this is also a testament to how the judicial system can be easily gamed. Each presents its own issues - in J6, it shows how you can just keep appealing and then kick can to SC if you'd like. In GA, if you throw flimsy accusations out against the prosecutor, you can get it delayed. And in FL, if you have a sympathetic judge to your cause, you can get it delayed. A normal functioniong judicial system should not have let a lot of this happen.

Trump's shamelessness proves to be the blacklight on our nation's institutions once again.

[Progressive Pessimist]

I have nothing more to say but "f*** the Supreme Court."

We better hope that Bragg and his prosecution really make their case, because it's just about the only accountability Trump will see before the election.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Expand the f**king Court.

Either that, or Biden could “deal” with them once they rule that presidents are above the law. This is so stupid. If we have a country in which the president is above the law then we no longer have a country. The entire Constitution would be null and void.

Yeah, I was skittish about that idea in the past, but if Democrats come away with a trifecta this year (perhaps miraculously) it's time to pack the courts. The institution needs to be saved from itself.

I have nothing more to say but "f*** the Supreme Court."

We better hope that Bragg and his prosecution really make their case, because it's just about the only accountability Trump will see before the election.

The good news is they are killing it so far!

That is good news. I just need reassurance that Americans will care if he gets convicted.

[Progressive Pessimist]

When Supreme Court justices ask questions, they are often doing so in order to get a handle on where the attorney draws the line regarding the legal rule they're proposing. I have my problems with Alito and Thomas, but the posts in this thread demonstrate an insane lack of understanding of how oral arguments work. If the actual opinion they render is worth criticizing, we can talk about it when the time comes. But for now just stop the demented pearl-clutching and fearmongering.

Can you blame us for expecting the worst, especially out of Alito and Thomas?

[Progressive Pessimist]

Hmmmm...

https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_/status/1784269368878154141

It's almost like being a Justice, especially a Federalist Society one, doesn't value consistency or actual jurisprudence. Just impose your political views on the country. Who's going to stop you? You're a lifetime appointment!

[Progressive Pessimist]

I'm not taking it for granted that Trump is going to win the election, in which case he'll eventually face justice even if, in a worst case scenario, for those 3 private acts.

Also a verdict before inauguration day could set up a showdown because while it may be standard, I don't think the judge has to dismiss a conviction, if that happens, because DOJ wants it dismissed. I'm sure he could probably get SCOTUS to dismiss it eventually though.

Well, yeah. If he doesn't win the election all that has happened is him delaying accountability. We just need to make sure he doesn't get elected, first and foremost.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Smith made a terrible mistake in not trying the case in DC. Being "fair" to Trump is never worth it, no matter the optics.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Doesn't this at least mean the calendar is open for Chutkan, provided any SCOTUS ruling isn't too brazen and favorable for Trump?

Yes, that’s the silver lining in this decision.

Again, assuming the Supreme Court rules soon enough and doesn't rule in Trump's favor, which should not be considered very likely.