Trump's Legal Maneuvers: A Successful Delaying Strategy

It seems like Donald Trump is doing well in delaying his legal trials. In all four cases against him, he is using the legal system's protections to his advantage. Trump argues that the system is corrupt and is using it to postpone facing a jury until after the November election.

Trump is known for using various legal tactics to delay accountability, often resorting to imaginative strategies that prolong the litigation process. This has allowed him to tie the courts in knots and avoid facing consequences for his actions.

This strategy will be showcased on Thursday when Trump's legal team contests the legality of special counsel Jack Smith's case regarding the alleged hoarding of classified documents at his Florida resort. Trump is anticipated to be present during the proceedings.

Judge Aileen Cannon will preside over Trump's request to dismiss the case, which is based on his argument that he had the right to bring classified documents to his home. He also argues that he is a victim of selective prosecution, alleging that he was treated differently from other senior officials like President Joe Biden, despite clear differences in their situations. Additionally, he is claiming presidential immunity, believing that his position as the nation's highest office holder exempts him from the law.

Cannon is also considering delaying the trial scheduled to start in late May, which aligns with Trump's efforts to avoid the trial beginning before November.

Smith expressed frustration in his recent legal filings regarding the case. He urged Judge Cannon to dismiss what he deemed as the former president's "frivolous" arguments, stating that the immunity claim lacked merit and appeared to be a strategic delay tactic.

Critics have also been frustrated with Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump. They argue that she has been facilitating the ex-president's tactics by moving slowly with pre-trial proceedings. Trump, as in all his criminal cases, has maintained his plea of not guilty.

Trump scored a legal victory in Georgia, as a judge in Fort Pierce dismissed six charges in the 41-count indictment related to election interference. The judge ruled that the charges did not provide enough detail on the alleged crime of pressuring state officials to overturn the 2020 election. This decision was a setback for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, although most of the racketeering indictment against Trump and his co-defendants remained intact. As a result, Trump now faces 88 criminal charges across four cases, three less than before.

McAfee has been busy lately, with a decision expected by Friday on whether to disqualify Willis from the case due to a conflict of interest related to a romantic relationship with an attorney she hired. If Willis is barred, it would be a win for Trump as it would remove the entire Fulton County district attorney's office from the case, potentially leading to more delays and pushing the trial into next year.

Trump's strategy to delay his federal election trial is working, as his appeals and the Supreme Court's consideration of his claims of presidential immunity are causing setbacks for Smith. The Supreme Court won't even start hearing arguments until next month, with a decision possibly not coming until the end of June. If the justices don't support Trump's immunity claim and Smith's case proceeds, time will be tight to get it on the docket this year. Judge Tanya Chutkan may face a crucial decision in the final months of the election campaign.

One trial that appears likely to begin on March 25 may be the least damaging to the former president. This New York criminal case involves a payment made to a former adult film actress to keep quiet. Despite this, Trump has been using tactics to delay the trial. He is requesting the judge to postpone the trial until the Supreme Court makes a ruling on his immunity as president. This may be unlikely since the payment was made before the 2016 election and before Trump became president. However, the prosecution intends to introduce evidence in the form of Twitter posts that Trump made while in office, providing a small opportunity for Trump's lawyers.

The credibility of the legal system is dependent on the concept of due process.

Trump's decision to delay the trials is not just about avoiding judgment. It seems like he also wants to wait until after the general election to prevent any potential negative impact on his chances of winning. Some polls have indicated that voters may be less inclined to support him if he is found guilty of a crime. If he is re-elected in November, Trump could use his executive powers to intervene in the two federal cases against him, involving classified documents and election interference, or even overturn any convictions.

This situation has caused frustration among many Democrats and legal experts who believe that voters should be able to assess Trump's guilt and any legal consequences before casting their votes.

The ex-president is utilizing all possible avenues for appeal and pre-trial motions, just like any other American would have access to. It is uncommon for anyone to face numerous indictments and trials, especially for an ex-president seeking re-election.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin pointed out that Trump's intentions are clear, but it is crucial to uphold constitutional principles in order to maintain the integrity of the legal system that the former president has attempted to undermine.

Raskin, who was part of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, expressed that individuals like Donald Trump may feel they can disregard legal boundaries, but the justice system will eventually catch up. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law despite the time it may take for justice to prevail.

Former Georgia state Senator Jen Jordan, a Democrat, mentioned to Anderson Cooper on CNN that the judge overseeing the Peach State indictment against Trump and the fate of Willis was diligently ensuring the trial's integrity and efficiency.

Jordan mentioned on Wednesday that the delay caused by Trump's actions is inevitable. His main priority is to ensure that the indictment is legally solid and can withstand any potential challenges in the future.

While Trump's strategy of slowing down legal proceedings has been effective in criminal cases so far, recent developments in civil court have shown that accountability cannot always be avoided. Trump is facing significant financial obligations as a result of two recent court rulings - one related to a civil fraud trial involving the Trump Organization and another for defamation brought by E. Jean Carroll. He currently owes half a billion dollars to settle these cases.

If several of the criminal cases go against him as well, if and when they eventually come to trial, Trump could face a very grim future if he loses November’s election.

Editor's P/S:

Donald Trump's