bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 30, 2023 22:29:09 GMT
Donald Trump indictment: Ex-US president to be charged over hush money..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/9467/production/_129019973_gettyimages-1414013744.jpgFormer US President Donald Trump will be charged over hush money payments made to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election. The details of the charges he will face have not yet been released. A grand jury voted to indict him on criminal charges, after investigating a $130,000 pay-out to Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair. He denies wrongdoing. Mr Trump is the first serving or former US president to face charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is now expected to inform Mr Trump and his lawyers about the indictment. The ex-president lives in Florida and is expected to travel to New York City for his formal arrest and first hearing in court. He faces the prospect of having his fingerprints recorded and his mugshot taken, like all defendants in criminal cases. Mr Trump is currently the clear front-runner among all declared and potential contenders for the Republican White House nomination. He is also being investigated in several other cases. The other investigations include probes into his role in the US Capitol riot of January 2021, his efforts to overturn his loss in the state of Georgia in the 2020 election, and his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
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Post by baselswh on Mar 31, 2023 7:15:13 GMT
The leading Republican candidate.
Not politically motivated then.
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Post by lostinspace on Mar 31, 2023 7:22:36 GMT
The leading Republican candidate. Not politically motivated then. Not guilty then Bas ?... I somehow get the impression that his past is catching up with him. As a candidate for the presidential position I think he can but dream of regaining that post again.... it's only the brainwashed " followers" of his that believe ..A he should still be there ,and B he has any chance of getting to the White House
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Post by baselswh on Mar 31, 2023 7:37:21 GMT
The leading Republican candidate. Not politically motivated then. Not guilty then Bas ?... I somehow get the impression that his past is catching up with him. As a candidate for the presidential position I think he can but dream of regaining that post again.... it's only the brainwashed " followers" of his that believe ..A he should still be there ,and B he has any chance of getting to the White House There's an element of Banana Republic about this. 'Get the b******' a la 'get Boris' in UK. I mean those judging our former PM had already expressed their opinion he was guilty long before proceedings began. That defines a kangaroo court.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 31, 2023 7:43:16 GMT
This will help Trump within his own party base, says political analystichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1440/cpsprodpb/0620/production/_129086510_trump-hero-afp.jpgWe've been hearing from political experts this morning to find out what will happen next week and what it all means for Trump's 2024 presidential bid. UCL associate professor Brian Klaas says it's likely Trump will surrender himself on Tuesday - although it's unclear whether he will be handcuffed or have a felon shot. "There are probably negotiations between the district attorney's office and Trump's legal team - I think Trump might relish that." "This is going to help Trump within his own party's base... This will lead to him raising a lot of money and probably surging in the internal polls as Republican party nominee," Klaas says. However, across the political spectrum this is unlikely to help Trump. Klaas also says he is worried about the risk of violence, saying that Trump has already given signs he is "rallying his base as he did before 6 January to respond violently" to his prosecution. He is referring to Trump's speech to supporters before a mob of thousands descended on the US Capitol building on 6 January 2021, as Congress certified President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election. ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/31/11e83fe8-a569-4f8e-9f05-c8064f90ea8b.jpgMost voters think indictment should disqualify Trump from 2024 raceEarlier this week, a public poll recorded that a majority of Americans believe that criminal charges against Donald Trump should disqualify him from a 2024 presidential run. The Quinnipiac University poll - released a day before Thursday's indictment - found 57% of those surveyed think criminal charges should preclude Trump from running for office again. However there was large partisan divide, with 88% of Democrats saying they believe charges should disqualify the former President, compared to 23% of Republicans. With regards to the New York district attorney Alvin Bragg's investigation, 62% of respondents said they believed the charges were politically motivated, although 55% also said the allegations were "very serious".
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 31, 2023 7:45:12 GMT
SummaryDonald Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges. New York prosecutors have been investigating the payment of hush money to an adult film star prior to his election in 2016. Former porn star Stormy Daniels claims she had an adulterous affair with the former president, and was paid $130,000 to keep quiet. The payment was legal - but Trump allegedly recorded it as a business expense. Falsifying business records is illegal in New York. Trump is expected to appear in court to face the charges and enter a plea in New York next Tuesday. He denies wrongdoing, and the affair, saying the indictment is "political persecution". US media say Trump faces more than two dozen charges linked to business fraud - although that is not officially confirmed. Republicans are calling the indictment an "outrage", while Democrats say no-one is above the law. ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/31/96c01575-01bd-490f-ae4e-8599ee88488a.jpg
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 31, 2023 13:33:45 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1440/cpsprodpb/11E75/production/_129233337_trump-hero-gettyimages-1473376926.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/31/ec92a8a3-39fb-48d3-94ea-559daad60c48.jpgWhat is Trump accused of ?In 2016, adult film star Stormy Daniels contacted media outlets offering to sell her account of what she said was an adulterous affair she had with Donald Trump in 2006. Trump's team got wind of this, and his lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to Daniels to keep quiet. This is not illegal. However, when Trump reimbursed Cohen, the record for the payment says it was for legal fees. Prosecutors say this amounts to Trump falsifying business records, which is a misdemeanour - a criminal offence - in New York. Prosecutors could also potentially allege that this breaks election law, because his attempt to hide his payments to Daniels were motivated by not wanting voters to know he had an affair with her. Covering up a crime by falsifying records would be a felony, which is a more serious charge. Even advocates for prosecution acknowledge that either way, this is by no means a clear-cut case. There is little precedent for such a prosecution, and past attempts to charge politicians with crossing the line between campaign finance and personal spending have ended in failure. ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/31/d8a4c0f6-bbce-4ab4-9207-4b3389526b64.jpgIs Trump going to jail if found guilty?The most likely outcome is a fine, but there is also a chance Donald Trump could be sent to prison. If any of the charges are serious - felony charges as they are known in the US - then Trump would face a maximum of four years in prison. But legal experts tell the BBC that time behind bars is unlikely. .................................................................................................................................................................. US President Joe Biden has declined to comment on the situation surrounding his predecessor - Donald Trump. Reporters gathered on the White House south lawn asked him several times about the Trump indictment. He replied simply with: "I have no comment on Trump." ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/31/1ce88214-00db-4396-abc1-ba5d1a182bc9.jpg
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 4, 2023 20:21:32 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1440/cpsprodpb/711D/production/_129275982_1b1c944561c753c41ab78d0e063fca01e48f42ae0_0_7127_47452000x1332.jpgIn the courtroom: Trump expressionless in sober hearing..ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/4/7c3f8f7d-7f3d-4710-aa2c-a4d1fe7423a0.jpgShortly after 14:30 local time, Donald Trump walked into the courtroom escorted by several secret service members. His face was expressionless and his steps were heavy and slow. He sat in the front row for proceedings. It was short of fireworks, and was very official. There was no circus-like atmosphere. The judge presided in a calm and even tone and never raised his voice. He spoke politely and calmly and firmly to Donald Trump, making sure the former president understood his rights. Trump sat silently throughout almost the entire proceedings. He only spoke when he was required to, either by pleading not guilty or by answering to the judge when addressed directly. At one point the judge reminded the former president- very kindly and respectfully but also firmly - that if he or any defendant behaved in an unruly or disruptive manner, they might lose the right to be present at their trial. At another point, as they were making their arguments, prosecutors mentioned that that the defendant - Donald Trump - "has made threatening posts on social media”. They referenced social media posts from Trump including one that warned of potential "death and destruction" if he faced criminal charges. The prosecution said they were of concern in these proceedings. In the courtroom: How it ended after 57 minutesDonald Trump is now leaving New York but here's a bit more of what I saw in the courtroom earlier. The judge brought proceedings to a close after nearly an hour. When it was over, Trump stood up and was immediately surrounded by his Secret Service detail. The former president then spoke quietly to his lawyers, but he was inaudible to the press sitting a few rows behind him. Then he turned and walked down the centre aisle of the courtroom, and out of the the rear door he had first entered. He said nothing to the press. His expression was serious. 'The rule of law died in this country' - Trump attorneyWe've just heard from Trump's legal team. Speaking to reporters outside the court, attorney Todd Blanche said the judge requested everyone involved in the case to not use language that would incite violence - not just Trump. Joe Tacopina, another one of Trump's lawyers, said the unsealing of the indictment showed "that the rule of law died in this country". "While everyone is not above the law, no one is below it either. And if this man's name was not Donald J Trump, there is no scenario we'd all be here today," he added. They declined to comment on whether Trump was fingerprinted or had a mugshot taken when being processed. We will not normalise serious criminal conduct - BraggManhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is speaking now. Bragg says this case is about 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes. "These are felony crimes in New York State no matter who you are. We can not and will not normalise serious criminal conduct," Bragg says. He says Trump repeatedly made false statements on New York business records and caused others to make false statements. He claimed he was paying Michael Cohen for legal services, Bragg says. He says plainly that "this was not true". SummaryDonald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges during a court hearing in New York. The former US president was accused of falsifying records to conceal crimes in the almost hour-long hearing. Judge Juan Merchan does not issue a gag order - but asks both sides to be mindful of their language and rhetoric. Trump - running for the presidency in 2024 - is released and heads straight to LaGuardia airport ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/14EFD/production/_129275758_trump_defiant.jpg
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Cheshiregas
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Post by Cheshiregas on Apr 5, 2023 10:19:22 GMT
Not guilty then Bas ?... I somehow get the impression that his past is catching up with him. As a candidate for the presidential position I think he can but dream of regaining that post again.... it's only the brainwashed " followers" of his that believe ..A he should still be there ,and B he has any chance of getting to the White House There's an element of Banana Republic about this. 'Get the b******' a la 'get Boris' in UK. I mean those judging our former PM had already expressed their opinion he was guilty long before proceedings began. That defines a kangaroo court. So you agree with the Daily Fail that lawyers and judges are enemies of the State then Bas. Or are you saying that he is innocent.
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Post by baselswh on Apr 5, 2023 11:28:29 GMT
There's an element of Banana Republic about this. 'Get the b******' a la 'get Boris' in UK. I mean those judging our former PM had already expressed their opinion he was guilty long before proceedings began. That defines a kangaroo court. So you agree with the Daily Fail that lawyers and judges are enemies of the State then Bas. Or are you saying that he is innocent. Never heard of that newspaper Chesh. I'm not the judge or jury,but if I was involved, I like to think I would'nt claim the accused was guilty before court proceedings began. It defines a "kangeroo court",does'nt it.
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Cheshiregas
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Post by Cheshiregas on Apr 5, 2023 12:47:21 GMT
So you agree with the Daily Fail that lawyers and judges are enemies of the State then Bas. Or are you saying that he is innocent. Never heard of that newspaper Chesh. I'm not the judge or jury,but if I was involved, I like to think I would'nt claim the accused was guilty before court proceedings began. It defines a "kangeroo court",does'nt it. Sorry Daily Mail, force of habit... I wasn't aware ex-President Trump had been pronounced guilty yet. I thought that was the point of his arraignment. He is being charged, no verdict has yet been found. Hardly a kangaroo court....
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Post by baselswh on Apr 5, 2023 13:00:24 GMT
Never heard of that newspaper Chesh. I'm not the judge or jury,but if I was involved, I like to think I would'nt claim the accused was guilty before court proceedings began. It defines a "kangeroo court",does'nt it. Sorry Daily Mail, force of habit... I wasn't aware ex-President Trump had been pronounced guilty yet. I thought that was the point of his arraignment. He is being charged, no verdict has yet been found. Hardly a kangaroo court.... Ah,sorry Chesh,I was referring to Johnson facing the Parliamentary Committee.
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Cheshiregas
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Post by Cheshiregas on Apr 5, 2023 13:09:45 GMT
Sorry Daily Mail, force of habit... I wasn't aware ex-President Trump had been pronounced guilty yet. I thought that was the point of his arraignment. He is being charged, no verdict has yet been found. Hardly a kangaroo court.... Ah,sorry Chesh,I was referring to Johnson facing the Parliamentary Committee. Hardly a kangaroo court when the key players were Conservative and he was given £hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money to defend himself when he is a millionaire yet ordinary people with no money cannot get legal aid. The cards were stacked in his favour and he still managed to make a mess of it.
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Post by baselswh on Apr 5, 2023 13:21:41 GMT
Ah,sorry Chesh,I was referring to Johnson facing the Parliamentary Committee. Hardly a kangaroo court when the key players were Conservative and he was given £hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money to defend himself when he is a millionaire yet ordinary people with no money cannot get legal aid. The cards were stacked in his favour and he still managed to make a mess of it. Harriet apparently publicly stated Johnsons guilt before the hearing. That's not good form.
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Cheshiregas
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Post by Cheshiregas on Apr 5, 2023 13:34:30 GMT
Hardly a kangaroo court when the key players were Conservative and he was given £hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money to defend himself when he is a millionaire yet ordinary people with no money cannot get legal aid. The cards were stacked in his favour and he still managed to make a mess of it. Harriet apparently publicly stated Johnsons guilt before the hearing. That's not good form. Johnson and Trump and their supporters and newspaper backers use similar tactics. Prior to the Commons Select Committee meeting Johnson's supporters attacked the fact that Harman as a Labour minister. The Telegraph and Daily Mail also attacked her for a lengthy period. Yet Chris Bryant [Labour] had already recused himself, there were 4 Tories, 2 Labour, 1 SNP so she could easily have been removed. The fact that the Tory ministers stood by her as Chair speaks volumes. Trump and his supporters are also trying to undermine the judicial system by attacking the people in place to oversee his case.
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Post by baselswh on Apr 5, 2023 13:39:50 GMT
Harriet apparently publicly stated Johnsons guilt before the hearing. That's not good form. Johnson and Trump and their supporters and newspaper backers use similar tactics. Prior to the Commons Select Committee meeting Johnson's supporters attacked the fact that Harman as a Labour minister. The Telegraph and Daily Mail also attacked her for a lengthy period. Yet Chris Bryant [Labour] had already recused himself, there were 4 Tories, 2 Labour, 1 SNP so she could easily have been removed. The fact that the Tory ministers stood by her as Chair speaks volumes. Trump and his supporters are also trying to undermine the judicial system by attacking the people in place to oversee his case. Pretty rubbish alround really,innit. Disapointing and hardly fills British subjects and American citizens with much confidence in the powers that be.
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Nobbygas
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Post by Nobbygas on Apr 5, 2023 13:51:44 GMT
I am no fan of Trump, but this whole case is ridiculous. He will not be found guilty and the result will be that he becomes even more popular amongst the voters. Are the Democrats that dumb? Federal authorities have already investigated this and found there was no case to answer. The District Attorney of Manhatten has decided he can do what the Federal Government couldn't and prosecute Trump. He's deluded.
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Post by baselswh on Apr 5, 2023 14:13:42 GMT
I am no fan of Trump, but this whole case is ridiculous. He will not be found guilty and the result will be that he becomes even more popular amongst the voters. Are the Democrats that dumb? Federal authorities have already investigated this and found there was no case to answer. The District Attorney of Manhatten has decided he can do what the Federal Government couldn't and prosecute Trump. He's deluded. Alvin Bragg. Democrat.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 5, 2023 15:01:44 GMT
Donald Trump awarded legal fees in Stormy Daniels defamation lawsuit..By Brandon Drenoni.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/04/19/69477995-11938899-image-a-4_1680634578222.jpgThe former porn star at the heart of Donald Trump's historic indictment in New York has been ordered to pay him more than $121,000 (£96,965) towards legal fees in an unrelated case. Stormy Daniels, alleged to have had an affair with Mr Trump in 2006, lost her defamation case over a 2018 tweet written by the former US president. An appeals court judge in California dismissed Ms Daniel's case, and awarded Mr Trump a payment for legal fees. Mr Trump has denied the affair. The civil defamation lawsuit brought by Ms Daniels was entirely separate from the 34 charges filed against Mr Trump in Manhattan on Tuesday. While both cases involve Ms Daniels, the New York indictment relates to a payment made to her during the 2016 presidential election - alleged to have been "hush money" to keep quiet but not properly recorded. Ms Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, sued Mr Trump after he called an allegation by Ms Daniels a "total con job" in a tweet on 18 April 2018. In the tweet, Mr Trump dismissed an allegation by Ms Daniels that an unknown man had threatened her in a parking lot to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Mr Trump. The case was dismissed after 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judge Samuel James Otero said Mr Trump's statement was protected by the First Amendment. Ms Daniels, 44, was then ordered to pay Mr Trump's legal fees in the amount of $293,000, CNN reported. She appealed, arguing the legal fees were too high, but lost. The court found that her "argument that the fee request is unreasonable and excessive is not well-founded," BBC's US media partner CBS reported. Ms Daniels was ordered to pay another $245,000 in fees after losing that appeal. And on Tuesday - as Mr Trump was fingerprinted, escorted by police into a Manhattan courtroom and listened to a judge read him charges of 34 felony counts - Ms Daniels was ordered to pay Mr Trump the $121,972. Mr Trump's lawyer Harmeet Dhillon celebrated the judgement in California, writing on Twitter: "Congratulations to President Trump on this final attorney fee victory in his favour this morning. "Collectively, our firm obtained over $600,000 in attorney fee awards in his favour in the meritless litigation initiated by Stormy Daniels."
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Cheshiregas
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Post by Cheshiregas on Apr 5, 2023 15:15:30 GMT
I am no fan of Trump, but this whole case is ridiculous. He will not be found guilty and the result will be that he becomes even more popular amongst the voters. Are the Democrats that dumb? Federal authorities have already investigated this and found there was no case to answer. The District Attorney of Manhatten has decided he can do what the Federal Government couldn't and prosecute Trump. He's deluded. I agree with you in that whatever the outcome, it will boost the Republicans. They love seeing Trump as a victim. There are far more serious things he has done that warrant charges. That's why the Federal authorities want to ensure they have belts and braces on him before taking any action.
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