You can’t turn on the news these days without hearing something about Trump and his legal troubles. From investigations into his business dealings to accusations of inciting the January 6th riots, the former president seems to constantly be battling lawsuits and criminal probes. But one case you may have forgotten about is his alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. With the trial date fast approaching, Trump’s lawyers are scrambling to find ways to delay or derail the proceedings. What are his chances of putting off his day of reckoning? Can technicalities like challenging subpoenas buy him more time? In this article, we’ll break down the latest in the Stormy Daniels saga and analyze what maneuvers Trump could use to avoid facing a jury over those infamous NDAs.
Background on Trump’s Hush Money Case
If you’ve been following politics at all over the last few years, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the hush money payments former President Trump made to two women during the 2016 election. ###The Payments
In 2016, Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels and $290,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep them quiet about alleged affairs with Trump. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations for the payments, saying he made them “in coordination with and at the direction of” Trump to influence the election.
The Charges
Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for the payments, among other crimes. But Trump was not charged at the time. Now, however, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has charged Trump’s companies and Cohen with crimes related to the hush money scheme. The charges include conspiracy, and falsifying business records. If convicted, Trump could face up to 15 years in prison.
Trump’s Defense
Trump has denied the affairs and any wrongdoing. His lawyers argue the payments were personal, not campaign-related. They also claim Trump can’t be charged, as sitting presidents are immune from prosecution. With Trump out of office, that argument no longer applies. However, Trump’s team will likely claim the charges are politically motivated, and try to delay the trial as long as possible using legal maneuvers and appeals.
Given the looming charges and potential prison time, Trump clearly has an incentive to try to avoid facing trial. However, his chances of successfully evading consequences indefinitely seem slim. The facts of the case are damning, and Trump no longer enjoys the legal protections of the presidency. After years of delay, Trump may finally face legal jeopardy for his role in the hush money scandal.
Trump’s Request to Delay Trial and Why He Wants It
Trump’s legal team recently requested to delay his criminal trial for allegedly orchestrating hush-money payments to two women during the 2016 election. They cited being overwhelmed by a flood of new evidence as the reason for wanting to push back the trial date. However, Judge Juan M. Merchan rejected Trump’s request, saying his lawyers had plenty of time to review the evidence and prepare their defense.
Trump’s lawyers are likely grasping at straws to buy more time. ###They know the odds are stacked against them. The case against Trump seems clear-cut, with federal prosecutors arguing they have a paper trail showing Trump’s involvement in the illegal payments. His former lawyer Michael Cohen has also implicated Trump, saying he facilitated the hush money at Trump’s direction.
With the trial looming, Trump’s team is probably hoping public interest in the case will die down if delayed, making potential jurors less likely to have prejudged Trump as guilty. However, their tactic backfired. Merchan admonished Trump’s lawyers for their “untimely” request, given they’ve had the evidence for months. He also noted that further delays could “undermine the public’s confidence in the judicial process.”
At this point, Trump’s chances of getting the trial pushed back are slim to none. His lawyers’ Hail Mary play to buy more time and potentially sway public opinion in their favor was too little too late. Barring a last-minute miracle, the trial will move forward as scheduled. And with the evidence stacked high against him, Trump should brace for an unfavorable outcome.
Arguments for and Against Delaying the Trial
Delaying the trial could work in Trump’s favor by allowing memories to fade and witnesses to become less reliable over time. ###Fading Memories As time passes, details become hazy and people may contradict previous statements or have trouble recalling events accurately. This could call into question the validity of witness testimony and make it more difficult to determine the truth. However, given the high profile nature of this case and Trump’s tendency to frequently comment publicly on legal matters, the key details are unlikely to be forgotten quickly.
Lack of Preparation
Trump’s legal team may argue that they need more time to build their defense and review the evidence. While defendants have a right to due process and proper legal counsel, Trump’s team has had ample notice of the charges and timeline. Granting repeated delays due to a perceived lack of preparation could be seen as giving preferential treatment.
On the other hand, expediting the trial is in the public’s interest. ###Public Interest There is a strong public interest in a timely resolution of the legal issues surrounding the hush money payments. Ongoing delays damage trust in the legal system and government institutions. Voters deserve a swift and fair process to determine whether campaign finance laws were violated.
Deterrence
Quickly prosecuting and punishing violations of campaign finance laws deters future illegal behavior by demonstrating that such actions have consequences. Allowing interminable delays suggests that those with means and influence can manipulate the system to avoid accountability. Prompt resolution of this high-profile case would strengthen integrity in government and politics.
While arguments can be made on both sides, expediting the trial and limiting unnecessary delays seems most consistent with principles of equal justice and government accountability. Achieving a speedy yet fair resolution will require a delicate balancing of interests, but should remain a top priority.
What Legal Experts Are Saying About Trump’s Chances
Legal experts acknowledge a conviction in Trump’s hush money trial is far from guaranteed. Trump’s high-powered defense team will have ample opportunity to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case and present counterarguments of their own. However, most legal analysts think the odds still don’t look good for the former president.
Prosecutors Have a Strong Case
Prosecutors have rested their case against Donald Trump in the hush money trial, and most experts agree they have presented a compelling body of evidence. “The prosecution has done an excellent job connecting the dots and showing Trump’s central role in the illegal payments,” says former federal prosecutor Elie Honig. Others point to the damning testimony of Trump’s longtime lawyer and “fixer” Michael Cohen as particularly damaging.
An Acquittal is Still Possible
Of course, Trump’s defense team will have a chance to poke holes in the prosecution’s case and raise reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors. They are likely to argue that Trump was unaware of the intricacies of campaign finance law and simply followed the advice of his lawyers. “Juries can be unpredictable, and all it takes is one juror unwilling to convict a former president,” notes attorney and legal commentator Shan Wu.
An Appeal is Likely Either Way
Regardless of the outcome, most experts expect an appeal from the losing side. If convicted, Trump’s lawyers will likely appeal on grounds like improper jury selection or judicial bias. If acquitted, prosecutors may appeal due to errors in how the law was interpreted. “There are enough complex legal issues here that an appeal seems inevitable,” says Loyola law professor Laurie Levenson.
While Trump faces an uphill battle in court, there is still a long way to go in this high-stakes trial with major implications. Legal experts will be following closely to see how his defense team approaches the case and whether they can succeed in overturning the prosecution’s apparent early advantages. The final verdict may still be anyone’s guess.
What This Could Mean for Donald Trump Moving Forward
Delay Tactics Likely
Given the stakes, Trump will likely pursue every available means to delay or dismiss the charges. His legal team has already filed a motion to dismiss, arguing the charges are politically motivated. While unlikely to succeed, such tactics could drag the case out for months or even years. Further appeals and objections at every stage of the process seem assured.
A Lengthy Legal Battle
If the case proceeds to trial, it will likely be a lengthy, drawn-out process with many twists and turns. Trump’s team will scrutinize every detail to find grounds for objections and mistrials. They will also aim to introduce reasonable doubt by arguing the payments were meant to protect Trump’s family, not influence an election. However, prosecutors have a solid case with Cohen’s testimony and financial records.
Pardons Unlikely if Convicted
If ultimately convicted, Trump faces potential jail time and large fines. However, presidents can only pardon federal crimes, not state offenses. So, a pardon seems unlikely and would not protect Trump from potential state charges arising from the same offenses. Trump’s best hope may be that the case ultimately gets dismissed on appeal due to some legal technicality unrelated to the facts.
Reputation and Legacy at Stake
Regardless of the outcome, the trial will be a stain on Trump’s reputation and legacy. Even if acquitted or the charges dropped, many will still view him as getting away with illegal behavior. But a conviction could permanently cement his place in history as the first president found guilty of a felony. The trial will also keep Trump’s legal troubles and the events of January 6 in the public spotlight for the foreseeable future.
In summary, while Trump has resources to wage a lengthy legal fight, his options for escaping consequences seem limited if the case proceeds to trial. The political and historical fallout may ultimately prove the most damaging result for the former president.
Conclusion
That’s the situation right now with Trump’s hush money trial. No one knows for sure if he’ll be able to delay it further, but he seems determined to try every trick in the book. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a major distraction for him at a time when he wants to focus on running for president again in 2024. This legal drama will likely dog him all throughout the upcoming campaign. As for the final outcome, your guess is as good as anyone’s. We’ll all have to wait and see how it shakes out. But one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be a bumpy ride for the former president.