105 Comments
Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

This was all over cable news this morning. None of it surprised me, and as Jay wonders, who leaked the tapes? Probably the defense attorneys because they knew it was going to come out sooner or later. Better sooner, of course, as when it's a surprise it's worse. That said, I was thinking about that period between Election Day and Inauguration Day...I actually asked some of my attorney friends, seriously, what if Trump decides not to leave the WH? Physically. Who comes to get him? The Secret Service, a detail from the U.S. Marine Corps? A special Congressional escort? Whoa! Nobody was able to give me a conclusive answer. Did anybody else have this nightmare?

Expand full comment
Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

When this is all over, Jenna MIGHT be fit to waitress at a Cracker Barrel. 🙄 But the lack of integrity is breathtaking... thanks for the clear explanation. (Still makes me wonder what it is about Trump that makes these folks find the worst in themselves and act on it)

Expand full comment
Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

Fascinating. And up until her indictment,

Jenna was still spewing the BIG LIE. It’s interesting to see how deeply dug in she was.

Expand full comment
Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

"Respecting the law and the process is part of what is required in our system, even if you’re the president." ESPECIALLY if you're the president.

Expand full comment
Nov 14·edited Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

Trump is always a victim. There is always distraction, whataboutism, denial, attacks and undisguised provocation in everything he says. Why is anyone, most particularly the press, still able to get away with pretending to be surprised about anything he does or says?? 'Never leaving, no matter what' is normal for him.

Expand full comment

Recently added your Stack to my must-read list. Thank you for adding to my understanding. Much legal wrangling for sure, but I’m holding out hope with so many brilliant minds on the side of preserving democracy.

Expand full comment
Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

I’m still in disbelief that anyone supports these idiots. What the heck has happened to our country???

Expand full comment
Nov 14·edited Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

Meadows voiced same intent, to not leave WH, so I believe this settles as corroborated;

https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-wh-aide-meadows-said-trump-wasnt-leaving-2020-loss-2022-7

Expand full comment
Nov 14Liked by Jay Kuo

The timeline certainly lines up. Wow! Great reveal! No wonder tRump went off the rails the day before at his "vermin" rally.

Expand full comment

Could the video be admitted as evidence to the 14th amendment lawsuits here in Colorado and other states?

Expand full comment

Thank you once again for putting the ducks in a row clarifying so many issues.

Expand full comment

Thank you once again for filling in the legal niceties of a BIG piece of news.

If Trump planned to simply "not leave," how did it play out that he was compelled to do so? I am beginning better to understand his refusal to assist the transition of power in any manner whatsoever. He didn't believe that there would actually be one.

At what point do his "beliefs" in demonstrably untrue things (like a stolen election that wasn't, that he could be "reinstated" when he can't, and that Barack Obama is either the sitting president or is "controlling" Joe Biden), become compelling evidence of his mental incompetence certifiable in a court of law? He needs to be confined for his own protection and for ours as well.

Expand full comment

And yet there are STILL people who should know better who think "Why should I leave IF THEY STOLE IT FROM ME?" is some kind of an excuse or an out.

Dictators don't call themselves dictators. Dictators don't say "I know I lost the election but F it I'm staying in office anyway." In the countries Trump openly, explicitly prefers to this one, that's not how it happens. This is how it happens.

Expand full comment

Here's hoping the video copies handed over to the defense were watermarked.

Expand full comment

Will there be an investigation of the leak? Or is the absence of a specific order enough so that no laws were broken?

Thanks for another clear article.

Expand full comment

Is it wrong to think that trump trying to not leave might have been a good thing? Because at that point he moves from "Mob boss talk" to "Dictator actions." There were enough loyal leaders, Gen. Milley for example, who would have taken orders only from Biden as soon as he was sworn in (I don't see Justice Roberts going along with a coup). The secret service might have been problematic, but a shoot out between agents would have been over quickly. Would it have been a huge mess? Sure, but trump would be in jail at the end of it.

Expand full comment