The question of why tRump would do something so blatantly damnable and criminal in nature as to direct his employees to destroy evidence - or to engage in ANY criminal act...e.g. Allen Weisselberg - is that they are essentially paid to be loyal, and would take the fall for "the Boss" in exchange for perks, including legal representation and all fees covered. It's worked in the past, then Michael Cohen broke the mold...so far, Walt Mauta is holding the line. but for how long? Carlos De Oliveira is the latest to suffer the penalties for doing "the Boss's" bidding, also gaining an all-expenses-paid attorney for his troubles, but "tRump Employee 4" and "tRump Employee 5" are spilling the beans, and no doubt De Oliveira will soon capitulate to avoid serious hard time. SC Smith's strategy here has been impeccable, all but guaranteeing conviction of tRump on all charges...that is, of course, if Judge* Cannon doesn't deliberately sour the milk.
He done, folks...stick a fork in him and watch the grease explode.
I think one of the differences, other than Weisselberg and Cohen, is most of Trump's legal issues in the past were civil. And Weisselberg didn't get that much time. These guys are facing serious federal indictments, that coukd land them in prison for a decade or longer. Could they be that loyal? Sure. But maybe not.
And their real concern here should be the evidence. The Prosecution has the receipts. Trump, or his lawyer, can't protect them from that. So the question really is, how risk averse are they with this set of facts?
Frankly, what this could be building up to is a pre-trial guilty plea by tRump, with some stringent conditions imposed to avoid certain jail-time. I mean, here in the docs case, SC Smith has a locked-down conviction on all charges with the (public) evidence presented to date, no matter how long it takes or how many motions tRump's legal team file, and I'm willing to bet that Smith will at some time make tRump an offer that he can't refuse, regardless of all the tRumpian bombast to date about "persecution", and whatnot.
Unfortunately it does matter how long it takes. If Trump manages to secure the presidency, he will squash all of this, regardless of how things look or legality. If even another GOP candidate gets in, #DerPumpkinFührer will be pardoned of all federal charges or possible convictions. Then the states will have a hard time while the new DOJ interferes...
Nah, won't happen...he'll either lose the nomination - even drop out of the race - or lose the election BADLY. The baggage he's carrying is gaining kilos per day, and soon he'll just be underwater without a snorkel...it's over.
This came up on Joyce Vance's substack comments so I can't take credit, but it's notable that Employee 4 actually said he didn't think he had the 'rights' (plural) to do what the boss was asking - not 'right.' It was pointed out that this is most likely IT speak for login permissions to the server. Kinda changes the meaning a little. Regardless, we can be grateful that Employee 4 is cooperating with DOJ.
And have an ACTUAL chance at getting elected in the USA. (I can't believe it but then I couldn't believe 70+ million people actually voted for the orange thing) 😱
Credit propaganda. The first amendment shouldn’t cover deliberate lies intended to subvert democracy. But ardent advocates insist that it does. Give the Devil a bullhorn, they say, we’re smart enough to detect lies. Not so much. The Devil is an expert liar and has studied human nature for millennia.
“Counter lies with truth,” they say. Yes of course, but that is not enough. Truth that doesn’t get heard may as well have not been spoken. Many people just don’t (won’t) listen to truth when it doesn’t support their prejudices. Stronger measures to ensure they have to hear facts are necessary.
All the “bro” quotes in the texts reminded me of the inept - and hilarious - track suit mafia in “Hawkeye.” Had to laugh out loud. Schadenfriday, indeed! 🤣
Me neither. Unfortunately, this bipedal skin sack of genetic material will forever be yet another stain on our nation's history. And yet another opportunity for the Christofacists to white wash the future history books to make him look like the bestest savior that ever walked this earth.
It wouldn't surprise me if his name is still being uttered 2 centuries from now.
Jay, just a quick nitpick. The document Trump waved around wasn't CONFIDENTIAL, which is the lowest level of classification used by the government. It was probably TOP SECRET. There is a scheme for classification and the different terms actually are important in that they categorize the different levels of risk that would be associated with the release of the information to people who aren't authorized to have it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classified_information_in_the_United_States
And like a lot of people, I learned the difference between those levels when Trump waved above-Top-Secret documents around in front of Putin's spymaster in the Oval Office midway through his term in office!
Yeah, confidential is really nothing. I'm taking an extremely educated guess that military plans involving foreign powers have a whole lot of letters restricting info above the TS/SCI level.
Didn't say it mattered for the charges. Just replying to the comment about the different levels of classification, and that those plans were well beyond confidential.
But what REALLY riles me up is that the soldier kid from Connecticut, Jack Teixeira, IS IN CUSTODY!!!!!!!! for this VERY offense. This is the kind of double standard that just cannot happen in the US. Indictment Day should include confinement pending trial due to National Security risk, he being a "clear and present danger".
“When the employee responded that he did not know how to do that and that he did not believe he had the right to do that”. Did he say “right” or “rights”. Any person who has access to a server are given rights that authorizes his account Maybe his account wouldn’t allow him to “delete” the server. I believe the he said “rights”.
That was how I read it - whether singular or plural - he was referring to the ability to delete it, not commenting on the legality. But then again I am my company's de facto IT guy.
Agreed. That's why he referred him up the chain in the Trump organization for someone with the ability (administrative privileges) to delete the server
Well, this is your best yet! As I read it I felt like it was a mystery novel and I’ve gotten to the part that gives the reader more clues to guess the outcome. One rhetorical question, how could tRump NOT be convicted!?! 🤷🏼♀️👍
Do you think they are all convinced (or betting their lives on) Big Orange winning next year and pardoning them like he did all his crime buddies last time he was POTUS? No, I don't suppose so. They just know that he destroys the lives of anyone who crosses him, or simply does their jobs.
A little extra joy for SchadenFriday: FL Governor and legislature have made it nearly impossible for ex-felons to exercise their restored voting rights, and BO is a Florida resident. Even if he doesn't go to prison, his rival for the nomination will throw him in prison the next time he votes. (oops, forgot, rich white people get a pass on that)
Oh, how I remember Rose Mary Woods in that famous photo. JImmy Breslin had a memorable line in one of his columns. Roughly quoted, "There she is on the cover of Newsweek, sliding into second base...." I sure hope that we are getting into the third reel of this wonderful thriller. Trump's delusions in his Truth Social posts become crazier by the day. If this wasn't so serious, it would be laughable.
The question of why tRump would do something so blatantly damnable and criminal in nature as to direct his employees to destroy evidence - or to engage in ANY criminal act...e.g. Allen Weisselberg - is that they are essentially paid to be loyal, and would take the fall for "the Boss" in exchange for perks, including legal representation and all fees covered. It's worked in the past, then Michael Cohen broke the mold...so far, Walt Mauta is holding the line. but for how long? Carlos De Oliveira is the latest to suffer the penalties for doing "the Boss's" bidding, also gaining an all-expenses-paid attorney for his troubles, but "tRump Employee 4" and "tRump Employee 5" are spilling the beans, and no doubt De Oliveira will soon capitulate to avoid serious hard time. SC Smith's strategy here has been impeccable, all but guaranteeing conviction of tRump on all charges...that is, of course, if Judge* Cannon doesn't deliberately sour the milk.
He done, folks...stick a fork in him and watch the grease explode.
We just gotta hope the very Trumpy district doesn't produce a spoiler juror.🤞
Proves that the orange one is dumb as a mud fence.
But he claims to be a “stable genius.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think one of the differences, other than Weisselberg and Cohen, is most of Trump's legal issues in the past were civil. And Weisselberg didn't get that much time. These guys are facing serious federal indictments, that coukd land them in prison for a decade or longer. Could they be that loyal? Sure. But maybe not.
And their real concern here should be the evidence. The Prosecution has the receipts. Trump, or his lawyer, can't protect them from that. So the question really is, how risk averse are they with this set of facts?
Tick tick tick tick ...
Frankly, what this could be building up to is a pre-trial guilty plea by tRump, with some stringent conditions imposed to avoid certain jail-time. I mean, here in the docs case, SC Smith has a locked-down conviction on all charges with the (public) evidence presented to date, no matter how long it takes or how many motions tRump's legal team file, and I'm willing to bet that Smith will at some time make tRump an offer that he can't refuse, regardless of all the tRumpian bombast to date about "persecution", and whatnot.
Unfortunately it does matter how long it takes. If Trump manages to secure the presidency, he will squash all of this, regardless of how things look or legality. If even another GOP candidate gets in, #DerPumpkinFührer will be pardoned of all federal charges or possible convictions. Then the states will have a hard time while the new DOJ interferes...
Nah, won't happen...he'll either lose the nomination - even drop out of the race - or lose the election BADLY. The baggage he's carrying is gaining kilos per day, and soon he'll just be underwater without a snorkel...it's over.
I wish I could believe you. Thing is, Trump's base is fiercely loyal so he's guaranteed at least 30% of the vote out of the gate.
#DerPumpkinFührer. Love it. Thanks for the smile!
I can’t see Trump ever admitting to guilt even if it is in his best interest. The arrogant a$$ just doesn’t do that.
Hope these employees have some kind of security. You’d hate for them to have an accidental fall down a flight of stairs or something.
Colleen, or out a window, as seems to happen to Putin disloyalists.
I was thinking… wife #1.
Whoa. Hadn’t thought of that but mob boss mentality.
This came up on Joyce Vance's substack comments so I can't take credit, but it's notable that Employee 4 actually said he didn't think he had the 'rights' (plural) to do what the boss was asking - not 'right.' It was pointed out that this is most likely IT speak for login permissions to the server. Kinda changes the meaning a little. Regardless, we can be grateful that Employee 4 is cooperating with DOJ.
Keystone Cops meets Wile E Coyote meets lobotomized Crabbe and Goyle, well suited to be in the employ of a similarly endowed cerebrum.
Shush emojis though....
And have an ACTUAL chance at getting elected in the USA. (I can't believe it but then I couldn't believe 70+ million people actually voted for the orange thing) 😱
Credit propaganda. The first amendment shouldn’t cover deliberate lies intended to subvert democracy. But ardent advocates insist that it does. Give the Devil a bullhorn, they say, we’re smart enough to detect lies. Not so much. The Devil is an expert liar and has studied human nature for millennia.
“Counter lies with truth,” they say. Yes of course, but that is not enough. Truth that doesn’t get heard may as well have not been spoken. Many people just don’t (won’t) listen to truth when it doesn’t support their prejudices. Stronger measures to ensure they have to hear facts are necessary.
“First time offender” hahahahaha!!! 😂
Trump has been lying, cheating, and stealing like a mob boss his whole life.
All the “bro” quotes in the texts reminded me of the inept - and hilarious - track suit mafia in “Hawkeye.” Had to laugh out loud. Schadenfriday, indeed! 🤣
I. CANT. ANYMORE. HEAR TRUMPS NAME. I. CANT!
Me neither. Unfortunately, this bipedal skin sack of genetic material will forever be yet another stain on our nation's history. And yet another opportunity for the Christofacists to white wash the future history books to make him look like the bestest savior that ever walked this earth.
It wouldn't surprise me if his name is still being uttered 2 centuries from now.
Just use TFG
Jay, just a quick nitpick. The document Trump waved around wasn't CONFIDENTIAL, which is the lowest level of classification used by the government. It was probably TOP SECRET. There is a scheme for classification and the different terms actually are important in that they categorize the different levels of risk that would be associated with the release of the information to people who aren't authorized to have it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classified_information_in_the_United_States
And like a lot of people, I learned the difference between those levels when Trump waved above-Top-Secret documents around in front of Putin's spymaster in the Oval Office midway through his term in office!
Yeah, confidential is really nothing. I'm taking an extremely educated guess that military plans involving foreign powers have a whole lot of letters restricting info above the TS/SCI level.
Except it doesn't matter. The laws they are charging under don't require the information to be classified. Of course, most NDI is classified.
Didn't say it mattered for the charges. Just replying to the comment about the different levels of classification, and that those plans were well beyond confidential.
The reason for that, I assume, is to forestall the "I have the right to declassify anything I want and I did just by thinking about it" defense.
But what REALLY riles me up is that the soldier kid from Connecticut, Jack Teixeira, IS IN CUSTODY!!!!!!!! for this VERY offense. This is the kind of double standard that just cannot happen in the US. Indictment Day should include confinement pending trial due to National Security risk, he being a "clear and present danger".
“When the employee responded that he did not know how to do that and that he did not believe he had the right to do that”. Did he say “right” or “rights”. Any person who has access to a server are given rights that authorizes his account Maybe his account wouldn’t allow him to “delete” the server. I believe the he said “rights”.
That was how I read it - whether singular or plural - he was referring to the ability to delete it, not commenting on the legality. But then again I am my company's de facto IT guy.
Yes, that's been raised in another substack post. The quote indeed says "rightS", as in administrative/authorization rights
Agreed. That's why he referred him up the chain in the Trump organization for someone with the ability (administrative privileges) to delete the server
Well, this is your best yet! As I read it I felt like it was a mystery novel and I’ve gotten to the part that gives the reader more clues to guess the outcome. One rhetorical question, how could tRump NOT be convicted!?! 🤷🏼♀️👍
Do you think they are all convinced (or betting their lives on) Big Orange winning next year and pardoning them like he did all his crime buddies last time he was POTUS? No, I don't suppose so. They just know that he destroys the lives of anyone who crosses him, or simply does their jobs.
A little extra joy for SchadenFriday: FL Governor and legislature have made it nearly impossible for ex-felons to exercise their restored voting rights, and BO is a Florida resident. Even if he doesn't go to prison, his rival for the nomination will throw him in prison the next time he votes. (oops, forgot, rich white people get a pass on that)
They’ve got to be worried he somehow skates and then seeks revenge…
Thank you!
Thank you Jay for putting the biggest smile on my face in weeks. What a way to end this week!
karma, man... :)
Oh, how I remember Rose Mary Woods in that famous photo. JImmy Breslin had a memorable line in one of his columns. Roughly quoted, "There she is on the cover of Newsweek, sliding into second base...." I sure hope that we are getting into the third reel of this wonderful thriller. Trump's delusions in his Truth Social posts become crazier by the day. If this wasn't so serious, it would be laughable.