Trump’s net worth claims were vital for loans, witness says - live
Donald Trump’s claims about his net worth were a crucial factor in securing loans from Deutsche Bank, the court has heard in his $250m civil trial for fraud that could wipe out his business in New York.
Former risk management specialist at the bank, Nicholas Haigh, said in testimony on Wednesday morning that given the niche market for some assets used as collateral — such as golf courses — the backing of a “financially strong person” was vital.
Mr Haigh said he believed the financial statements provided to the bank “were broadly accurate”. The New York attorney general’s office maintains they were based on false data.
Meanwhile, a mystery member of Mr Trump’s family has been accused of withholding information in the federal criminal case charging the former president over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
In court documents on Tuesday, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office said that at least 25 witnesses had “withheld information, communications, and documents” claiming attorney-client privilege.
“These included co-conspirators, former campaign employees, the campaign itself, outside attorneys, a non-attorney intermediary, and even a family member of the defendant,” the filing states.
It is unclear which family member prosecutors are referring to.
Key Points
Mary Trump unloads on ‘maniac’ uncle for allegedly leaking Israel security secrets
Trump claims Hamas attack on Israel wouldn’t have happened if he were president
Special counsel asks for jury protections in DC election interference case
Trump would disparage MAGA fans in private, says former Pence aide
Weisselberg testimony punctured with repeated bouts of memory loss
Fulton County prosecutors seek testimony of Alex Jones and Ronna McDaniel
Trump on trial: Coming up in court today in New York and Florida
14:45 , Oliver O'Connell
In New York, Trump’s legal team prepares to begin day eight of his civil fraud trial in Lower Manhattan. They will continue to cross-examine former Deutsche Bank risk manager Nicholas Haigh.
The prosecution has argued through Mr Haigh’s testimony that the Trump Organization duped financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank with false accounts of Mr Trump’s net worth and the value of his trophy properties.
Mr Trump’s defence team has been casting doubt on this by showing that Deutsche Bank always gave a downward adjustment to his stated worth. Was this an admission they were aware of the exaggerations, or was it their own conservative approach to the real estate market based on internal valuations?
DAY 8: Trump’s attorneys to continue cross examining Deutsche Bank risk manager Nicholas Haigh.
Defense has been casting doubt on the idea the banks were duped by Trump’s statements of financial condition—noting the “haircut” or downward adjustments they made to his stated worth pic.twitter.com/QPYZ05yyo1— Frank G. Runyeon (@frankrunyeon) October 12, 2023
While there are no pre-trial hearings scheduled in the Fulton County, Georgia election interference case as on Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be in Florida in the federal classified documents case.
The former president’s Florida co-defendants are expected to appear in court for a hearing on potential lawyer conflicts.
Judge Aileen Cannon has requested both Carlos De Oliveira and Walt Nauta be in attendance for their respective hearings at 1pm and 3 pm ET to examine any potential conflicts involving a lawyer they both share.
Special counsel Jack Smith’s office has alleged a conflict because lawyer Stanley Woodward, who is representing the two men, has also represented several witnesses in the case.
Mr Trump and Nauta were indicted in June in connection with the former president's alleged willful retention of sensitive national security information at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Mr De Oliveira was added as a co-defendant in a superseding indictment in late July related to alleged obstruction efforts when investigators sought out the documents.
All three have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2024.
Trump appears to blame ‘hummus’ for attacks on Israel
14:32 , Martha McHardy
Donald Trump is being mocked for appearing to blame “hummus” for the attacks in Israel over the weekend.
At a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr Trump mispronounced the name of the terrorist group Hamas several times, appearing to refer to it as “hummus”.
A clip of the speech went viral on social media and the former president was also mocked by TV host Jimmy Kimmel.
In the opening monologue of his show, Mr Kimmel joked that Mr Trump’s speech displayed the “deep well of insight he has into this ongoing conflict in the Middle East”.
“Could you imagine anyone else in the world doing anything even remotely like that?” Mr Kimmel asked.
Who is the Trump family member accused of withholding information from Jan 6 case?
14:00 , Oliver O'Connell
In a new motion filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith in the January 6 case against Donald Trump, the prosecutor accused a “a family member of the defendant” of withholding information.
The Tuesday filing states that during the course of the government’s investigation, “at least 25 witnesses withheld information, communications, and documents based on assertions of the attorney-client privilege under circumstances where the privilege holder appears to be the defendant or his 2020 presidential campaign.”
“These included co-conspirators, former campaign employees, the campaign itself, outside attorneys, a non-attorney intermediary, and even a family member of the defendant,” the filing said.
However, Mr Smith never named the Trump family member.
Kelly Rissman reports...
Mystery Trump family member accused of withholding information from Jan 6 case
Despite new charges, George Santos vows to run for re-election
13:30 , Kelly Rissman
In the face of new criminal charges, accusing embattled New York Congressman George Santos of stealing donors’ identities to make fraudulent credit card charges, the Republican vowed that he would continue his 2024 run.
He indicated to reporters on Wednesday that the new charges wouldn’t get in the way of his re-election campaign.
“I’m going to continue to fight this as much as I said in the past. Nothing has changed,” Mr Santos said, CNN reported. “I think I’ve made it clear that I will fight this to prove my innocence. So yeah, I’m pretty much denying every last bit of charges.”
Continued...
George Santos vows to run for re-election despite new charges against him
Rep Ken Buck grills Jordan and Scalise about if 2020 election was stolen
12:45 , Oliver O'Connell
A conservative Republican who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy grilled both of the Republican candidates for speaker about whether Preisdent Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election of the House in a closed-door meeting.
Rep Ken Buck (R-CO), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, told reporters on Wednesday that he grilled Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) about whether the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
Both Mr Jordan and Mr Scalise voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results on January 6. Mr Buck voted to certify. Mr Buck said it was important to have clarity about such an important topic. Politico first reported Mr Buck’s question on Tuesday evening.
“They weren’t direct, they evaded the question,” Mr Buck told reporters. As a result, Mr Buck said that he voted “present” during the closed-door session to consider Mr Jordan and Mr Scalise.
Eric Garcia has the full story.
Full story: Scalise beats Trump-backed Jordan for Republican speaker nomination
11:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Majority leader Steve Scalise has defeated Ohio Rep Jim Jordan to win the Republican Party nomination to be speaker of the House of Representatives.
The vote was 113-99 in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday morning. A loud cheer was heard by reporters as the result was announced.
Mr Scalise will now need to muster 217 votes on the floor of the House to become speaker and second in line to the presidency. A full chamber vote previously scheduled for 3pm ET on Wednesday has been delayed.
This will require the backing of almost all of the GOP conference — just five members could block him from winning the gavel.
The triumph of Mr Scalise is especially notable given that he defeated Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate for the role – Mr Jordan. His nomination follows the recent dramatic ousting of speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Read more...
Scalise beats Trump-backed Jordan for Republican speaker nomination
Trump wants to reinstate Muslim travel ban if he is re-elected
10:45 , Graeme Massie
Donald Trump says that he would reintroduce his Muslim travel ban as violence deepens in the Middle East after the brutal Hamas attack on Israel.
“As president, I will once again stand strongly with the state of Israel, and we will cut off the money to the terrorists on day one,” said Mr Trump, who is leading the race to be the Republican 20204 nominee.
And he told a campaign rally in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, on Monday that he would “reimpose the travel ban on terror-afflicted countries.”
Mr Trump imposed a similar ban on people from seven countries entering the US after taking office in 2017, and spouted anti-Muslim rhetoric during the 2016 campaign.
Read the full story...
Trump says he will reinstate Muslim travel ban if he is re-elected
Haley 2024 campaign raises $11m as poll puts her as Trump’s closest rival
09:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley raised over $11m from July to September, her campaign has said, further boosting her chances of being the person to take on current favourite Donald Trump.
The former South Carolina governor is vying for position with Ron DeSantis, having recently taken the lead in some polls with just over three months to go before the first GOP nominating contest in Iowa.
Despite her increased haul – up from $7.3m last quarter – Ms Haley still lags behind the Florida governor in terms of fundraising, and even further behind former president Trump.
Ms Haley’s campaign said she had attracted nearly 40,000 new donors in the third quarter alone and that she had $9.1m cash on hand. It follows strong performances in both GOP debates and a tireless campaign schedule.
“We have seen a big surge in support and have real momentum,” Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said in a statement.
ICYMI: No love lost as Gaetz calls McCarthy’s insults a ‘death rattle’
08:15 , Oliver O'Connell
While Mr McCarthy was diplomatic about his possible replacement, he was much more candid while discussing his GOP rivals.
He told reporters on Monday that the eight MAGA Republicans who voted against him “love the cameras” and were more interested in “pettiness” than governing.
Mr Gaetz brushed the comments aside, insisting the insults were just Mr McCarthy’s “death rattle.”
Read Graig Graziosi’s report:
Matt Gaetz calls McCarthy’s insults a ‘death rattle’ as House GOP remains in disarray
Profile: Jack Smith — The special prosecutor who could take down Trump
06:45 , Andrew Feinberg
Jack Smith, the experienced war crimes prosecutor who has unveiled two unprecedented federal indictments against former US president Donald Trump, is no stranger to high-profile probes of public figures.
Who is Jack Smith? The special prosecutor who could take down Trump
Trump would disparage MAGA fans in private, says Pence aide
05:15 , Kelly Rissman
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s homeland security adviser Olivia Troye has claimed that former President Donald Trump used to mock his “Make America Great Again” followers behind closed doors.
On The View, co-host Sunny Hostin pointed to a Tuesday poll by Morning Consult that showed the former president with 61 per cent of GOP primary support. Hostin then asked Ms Troye, “Why do you think so many people still have this blind loyalty to him? What does that say about the party now?”
“Well, I think it speaks to an unfortunate state of the Republican Party,” Ms Troye replied. “It is certainly not the party that I want it to be and not the party that I believe it has been in the past.”
“I think he has done a great job of sort of marketing himself as the champion for all of these people who are behind him in this movement,” she continued. “But, like, we’ve sat in these meetings. What is so frustrating and angering to me is he has nothing in common with any of his supporters and I detest the way he speaks about them.”
The way he spoke “was so disparaging to them,” she described.
Read more...
Former Pence aide says Trump would disparage MAGA fans in private
Alex Jones and RNC chair Ronna McDaniel wanted as witnesses in Georgia election interference trial
03:45 , Alex Woodward
Prosecutors in Georgia are seeking witness testimony from InfoWars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and the chair of the Republican National Committee for the upcoming trial of Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, who are being tried separately from Donald Trump and other co-defendants in the state’s sweeping election interference case.
Fulton County prosecutors also are seeking testimony from former Wisconsin Republican Party chair Andrew Hitt, among so-called fake electors involved in a multi-state scheme to overturn 2020 presidential election results in states that Mr Trump lost.
Prosecutors’ petitions on 10 October follow recent requests for witness testimony from former Trump campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn, conspiracy theorist Lin Wood, and three Republican activists involved with alleged efforts to submit false slates of electors to Washington DC in an attempt to subvert the election’s outcome.
ICYMI: George Santos charged with stealing thousands from donors’ credit cards
02:45 , Josh Marcus
Federal officials charged congressman George Santos with stealing his donors’ identities and using them to make over $44,000 in credit card purchases.
In a superseding indictment unsealed on Tuesday, the scandal-plagued New York Republican was accused of using donor cards to make multiple unlawful credit transactions without their knowledge, including moving the “vast majority” of a $12,000 transfer to his personal bank account, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
“As alleged, Santos is charged with stealing people’s identities and making charges on his own donors’ credit cards without their authorization, lying to the FEC and, by extension, the public about the financial state of his campaign,” US Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement.
“Santos falsely inflated the campaign’s reported receipts with non-existent loans and contributions that were either fabricated or stolen,” he added.
The Independent has contacted Mr Santos for comment.
George Santos charged with stealing thousands from donors’ credit cards
Laura Ingraham uses Hamas terror attack to argue charges should be dropped against Trump
01:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham has used the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel to argue that charges should be dropped against Donald Trump.
Reacting to remarks made by Mr Biden on the current state of affairs in the Middle-East, the right-wing anchor called for a “prosecutorial ceasefire” on the former president.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Laura Ingraham uses Hamas attacks to argue charges should be dropped against Trump
Jim Jordan lost GOP speaker vote, and wrestlers he once coached did not want him to win
Thursday 12 October 2023 00:45 , Martha McHardy
Four former Ohio State University wrestlers have spoken out against their ex-coach Jim Jordan and his bid to become speaker of the House of Representatives.
The ex-athletes accused Rep Jordan of ignoring accusations and failing to protect them from sexual abuse by school doctor Richard Strauss, who died in 2005, when he was the team’s assistant coach in the 1980s and ‘90s.
One former wrestler, Rocky Ratliff, told NBC News that Rep Jordan “abandoned his former wrestlers.”
“Do you really want a guy in that job who chose not to stand up for his guys?” former wrestler Mike Schyck added. Is that the kind of character trait you want for a House speaker?” he asked.
Meanwhile, Dunyasha Yetts claimed that Rep Jordan “doesn’t deserve” to be speaker and that he “still has to answer for what happened to us.”
Most US voters want more protections for LGBT+ people
Wednesday 11 October 2023 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Most American voters believe the US needs stronger protections for LGBT+ people against discrimination and violence, while a plurality of voters believe that the nation has become increasingly politically hostile towards LGBT+ people, according to results from a new survey.
Roughly 57 per cent of respondents in a survey from progressive think tank Data for Progress believe that the US needs new laws to protect LGBT+ Americans from discrimination and violence, amid a rise in threats and legislation targeting LGBT+ people.
Forty-eight per cent of respondents believe that “the political climate has become increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ Americans,” according to the survey.
Alex Woodward has the details.
Most US voters want more protections for LGBT+ people, poll finds
Which Trump family member is accused of withholding information from Jan 6 case?
Wednesday 11 October 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
In a new motion filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith in the January 6 case against Donald Trump, the prosecutor accused a “a family member of the defendant” of withholding information.
The Tuesday filing states that during the course of the government’s investigation, “at least 25 witnesses withheld information, communications, and documents based on assertions of the attorney-client privilege under circumstances where the privilege holder appears to be the defendant or his 2020 presidential campaign.”
“These included co-conspirators, former campaign employees, the campaign itself, outside attorneys, a non-attorney intermediary, and even a family member of the defendant,” the filing said.
However, Mr Smith never named the Trump family member.
Kelly Rissman reports...
Mystery Trump family member accused of withholding information from Jan 6 case
Lawmaker who deposed McCarthy grills Jordan and Scalise about the 2020 election
Wednesday 11 October 2023 22:15 , Eric Garcia
A conservative Republican who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy grilled both of the Republican candidates for speaker about whether Preisdent Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election of the House in a closed-door meeting.
Rep Ken Buck (R-CO), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, told reporters on Wednesday that he grilled Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) about whether the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
Both Mr Jordan and Mr Scalise voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results on January 6. Mr Buck voted to certify. Mr Buck said it was important to have clarity about such an important topic. Politico first reported Mr Buck’s question on Tuesday evening.
Read more...
Republican who deposed McCarthy grills Jordan and Scalise about the 2020 election
Trump on trial: Former banker faces cross-examination in fraud trial
Wednesday 11 October 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Former Deutsche Bank risk manager Nicholas Haigh faced cross-examination in court in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon.
Trump attorney Jesus Suarez asked about the earlier mentioned $150m 2011 loan to Donald Trump concerning his Doral golf club in Florida and notes there were four points given as the basis for the recommendation to approve lending the money.
Financial strength of the guarantor
$2.5bn net worth. Good liquidity. $48 million in cash flow
The nature of the personal guarantee
Trump’s operating experience
The expected enhanced value of the Doral golf course
It is also noted that two bank loan officers visited the Trump Organization offices to review bank statements as part of the process.
In another part of the document they are reviewing, Mr Trump lists the total value of this real estate portfolio as $3.29bn. Deutsche Bank knocks this down to $2.04bn with $302m in debt.
-Financial strength of the guarantor - $2.5 billion net worth. Good liquidity. $48 million in cash flow.
-The nature of the personal guarantee
-Trump’s operating experience
-The expected enhanced value of the Doral golf course— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) October 11, 2023
Haigh confirms that the bank’s valuation services people did their own valuations of the so-called trophy properties: Trump Tower, 40 Wall Street, Niketown on 57th Street, and Trump Park Avenue, all in Manhattan. Other assets he adds would be harder to value, namely the golf courses, which were given ballpark values.
Court wraps for the day with further cross-examination of Haigh to continue tomorrow before former Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg returns to continue his direct examination.
Voices: Who the hell wants to be a GOP speaker anyway?
Wednesday 11 October 2023 21:35 , Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia writes from Capitol Hill:
...beyond the current fight, there is one question nobody is asking: Why in God’s name would any rational Republican member of Congress take the job? Any study of the most recent Republican speakers shows the job requires making promises that are impossible to keep and inevitably infuriating enough of the conference that you leave in disgrace.
Read more...
Who the hell wants to be a GOP speaker anyway?
Fulton County: Defence argues RICO charges don’t allege ‘continuity'
Wednesday 11 October 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Former Trump attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell had a second motion to dismiss the case discussed in court today in Fulton County, centring on that the RICO charges in the indictment do not sufficiently allege “continuity” of the crimes that form the basis of the charges.
Anna Bower of Lawfare explains: “In *federal* RICO cases, continuity can generally be met by showing (1) that the predicate crimes took place over a substantial period of time, or (2) that the nature of the acts threatened future repetition of criminal activity.
“Here, the prosecution and the defence disagree over whether continuity is a required element under the provision of *Georgia's* RICO statute with which Powell and Chesebro have been charged.”
The prosecution argues that a Georgia case (Dover v State) stands as an example that there is no such continuity requirement in Georgia law and has been cited “over and over: again.
Judge Scott McAfee will present a ruling on the topic at a later date. Wrapping up the day there is a claim by Chesebro’s counsel that he is being “punished” for requesting a speedy trial by the speeding up of the jury selection process and that the state has added to the potential witness list (now up to 180 names).
The judge responds that the procedure he intends to use for jury selection “works quite well” in federal courts. He has a number of rulings to make in the remainder of this week and there may be further hearings in court next week before jury selection begins the week after.
That’s all for today from Fulton County.
DeSantis denounces antisemitism but evasive on GOP links to Nick Fuentes
Wednesday 11 October 2023 20:55 , Oliver O'Connell
Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis said he would not personally have dinner with white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, though stopped short of condemning other Republicans – like Donald Trump – that associated with him.
The Florida governor said that he was “proud” of steps taken in his state to combat antisemitism, including increased education and security for Jewish schools, but did not immediately respond when questioned directly about Mr Fuentes.
The far-right commenter has previously expressed a love of Adolf Hitler, and has backed Kanye West’s antisemitic rants, as well as saying his dream wife would be a 16-year-old girl.
Mike Bedigan has the full story.
DeSantis condemns antisemitism but dodges question on GOP links to Nick Fuentes
Trump on trial: New York court hears details of DC hotel loan
Wednesday 11 October 2023 20:35 , Oliver O'Connell
Following lunch, former Deutsche Bank risk manager Nicholas Haigh is back on the witness stand and explains another loan document concerning the development of what would become the Trump International Hotel Washington, DC in the Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The $170m financing required not just real estate collateral, but also a personal guarantee from Donald Trump himself.
Under the terms of the deal, the now-former president was also bound by a series of covenants
He had to maintain $50m in cash to be available at all times
He couldn’t take out any further loans over $500m (even with Deutsche Bank)
He had to maintain a net worth of $2.5bn.
He had to maintain a net worth of $2.5 billion.
— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) October 11, 2023
New York Attorney General Letitia James states in their case against Mr Trump that between 2011 and 2021 he overstated his net worth by between $1.9bn and $3.6bn. Her office argues that his actual net worth at the time was between $812m and $2.2bn.
When he applied for the loan for the DC hotel, Ms James believed his actual net worth was $1.4bn, meaning he was in breach of the covenants from day one...
The Trump legal team disputes this and says his true worth was much higher than this, as reflected in the statements prepared by the Trump Organization.
For example, in 2017 when the hotel had been completed, Mr Trump told Deutsche Bank his net worth was $5.7bn.
No speaker vote in House today, report says
Wednesday 11 October 2023 20:14 , Oliver O'Connell
The House will not vote on electing a new speaker today despite Steve Scalise being chosen by Republicans behind closed doors to become their nominee.
Lawmakers were expected to meet on the floor on Wednesday afternoon before recessing, reported CNN.
Read on...
House will not hold Speaker vote today, say reports
Chesebro and Powell lawyers argue against use of RICO stature
Wednesday 11 October 2023 19:55 , Oliver O'Connell
The defence counsel argues that Georgia’s RICO statute only applies to crimes motivated by pecuniary gain or physical threat and/or harm.
According to lawyers representing Chesebro and Powell, the indictment should be dismissed because the alleged crimes were not motivated in that way.
Special prosecutor John Floyd, a leading RICO expert in Georgia, responds that a legislative amendment by the Georgia General Assembly in the 1990s was enacted specifically to counteract the idea that RICO crimes must be motivated by economic gain.
Judge McAfee asks Floyd about the defence claim that “millions” of people could be prosecuted under the RICO statute if it were not limited by the aforementioned motives.
He responds that it is a “sky-is-falling” type of argument and that other parts of the statute, such as intent, limit its scope. Further, he adds that there are examples of RICO being used in cases that are not for economic gain.
Having said that, Floyd adds that were Donald Trump to become president as a result of the alleged actions of the defendant, that is pecuniary gain, AND in addition to that, there were physical threats made to election worker Ruby Freeman, who was confronted by those involved in the conspiracy who said her life was in danger.
“She was scared to death. Absolutely scared to death,” Floyd says.
The defence counsels for Chesebro and Powell contend the 1990s amendment states that the motivation has to be either pecuniary gain OR physical injury and that the Georgia Supreme Court should decide.
George Santos vows to run for re-election despite moves to oust him
Wednesday 11 October 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell
In the face of new criminal charges, accusing embattled New York Congressman George Santos of stealing donors’ identities to make fraudulent credit card charges, the Republican vowed that he would continue his 2024 run.
He indicated to reporters on Wednesday that the new charges wouldn’t get in the way of his re-election campaign.
“I’m going to continue to fight this as much as I said in the past. Nothing has changed,” Mr Santos said, CNN reported. “I think I’ve made it clear that I will fight this to prove my innocence. So yeah, I’m pretty much denying every last bit of charges.”
Kelly Rissman reports.
George Santos vows to run for re-election despite new charges against him
Meanwhile, back at Fulton County Courthouse...
Wednesday 11 October 2023 19:36 , Oliver O'Connell
As the New York civil fraud trial continues in Lower Manhattan, the sprawling criminal case against Donald Trump and his 18 co-defendants is in pre-trial hearings ahead of the first trial of former Trump lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell.
Today, Judge Scott McAfee is heating a series of motions regarding Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute. You can watch live here:
Scalise beats Trump-backed Jordan for Republican speaker nomination
Wednesday 11 October 2023 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Majority Leader Steve Scalise has defeated Ohio Rep Jim Jordan to win the Republican Party nomination to be Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The vote was 113-99 in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday morning. A loud cheer was heard by reporters as the result was announced.
Mr Scalise will now need to muster 217 votes on the floor of the House to become speaker and second in line to the presidency. A full chamber vote is scheduled for 3pm ET this afternoon.
This will require the backing of almost all of the GOP conference — just five members could block him from winning the gavel.
The triumph of Mr Scalise is especially notable given that he defeated Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate for the role.
Scalise beats Trump-backed Jordan for Republican speaker nomination
Romney-Ryan donor summit sees disaffected Republicans seek Trump alternatives
Wednesday 11 October 2023 18:45 , Andrew Feinberg
The last Republicans to top a presidential ticket before Donald Trump’s takeover of the GOP are still holding out hope that a more palatable alternative to the ex-president will present itself before nominating contests for next year’s election are complete.
On Tuesday, Utah Senator Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan convened a high-level confab in Park City, Utah to discuss foreign policy, technology and business matters at this year’s edition of the annual E2 summit.
Among the attendees will be four of the candidates who’ve been vying — thus far unsuccessfully — to gain traction against Mr Trump in next year’s GOP primary: ex-UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former vice president Mike Pence, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
The balance of the attendees at the Park City gathering are understood to be a who’s who of GOP donors who backed Mr Romney and Mr Ryan during their ill-fated campaign to deny then-president Barack Obama a second term in the 2012 general election.
Continued...
Disaffected Republicans seek alternatives to Trump at Romney-Ryan donor summit
Kari Lake officially announces Senate run
Wednesday 11 October 2023 18:15 , Graig Graziosi
Former TV news anchor and failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake has officially announced her intention to run for the US Senate.
Despite losing her last race, Ms Lake — a hardline Donald Trump loyalist and election conspiracy theorist — never conceded the contest.
Whether she truly believes she won or not, it seems she has set her sights on the Capitol.
Ms Lake is no doubt attempting to capitalise on the strange state of the Democratic Party in Arizona.
Senator Kyrsten Sinema ostensibly represented the Democrats in Arizona until last year, when she surprised no one by changing her party affiliation to independent.
Read more...
Kari Lake officially announces Senate run
Meanwhile, in the federal election interference case against Trump...
Wednesday 11 October 2023 17:53 , Oliver O'Connell
Former president Donald Trump’s attorneys are asking Judge Tanya Chutkan for permission for a slew of subpoenas in reference to the records of the House select committee that investigated January 6 that Mr Trump and his allies claim are missing.
The existence of “missing” records has been emphatically denied by the committee chair. The panel says it archived its materials on an electronic platform to preserve them for posterity before the committee was shut down in January 2023.
...in hopes of getting hold of @January6thCmte records that they claim to be "missing" or were allegedly improperly withheld when the @HouseGOP took control of the House in January. https://t.co/cInxhAXjhm
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) October 11, 2023
Haigh reiterates importance of Trump’s personal guarantee
Wednesday 11 October 2023 17:34 , Oliver O'Connell
Former banker Nicholas Haigh reiterated the importance of Donald Trump’s personal guarantee for a loan from Deutsche Bank.
“So there’s a given that there would be a guarantee in the first place, because [Deutsche Bank] wealth management did not do business without personal guarantees,” Haigh said.
“And the strength of that guarantee will be reflected in the pricing of the loan, also in the terms of the loan, including its size," he added.
“And the strength of that guarantee will be reflected in the pricing of the loan, also in the terms of the loan, including its size," he says.
— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) October 11, 2023
Bank believed Trump ‘trophy properties’ worth less than reported
Wednesday 11 October 2023 17:11 , Oliver O'Connell
Former Deutsche Bank risk management specialist Nicholas Haig was asked what he thought of the financial statements provided by Donald Trump and the Trump Organization.
“I assumed that the representations of value of assets and liabilities were broadly accurate,” he said.
The court is then taken through a list of the “trophy properties” of the Trump empire — those deemed most high profile and lucrative — and their values, including Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street, which were valued by the company at $490m and $524m respectively.
Deutsche Bank believed they were worth less, though low-balled assets in general in case of a downturn, the court hears.
Haigh explains importance of Trump personal guarantee for debt
Wednesday 11 October 2023 16:46 , Oliver O'Connell
Former banker Nicholas Haigh continues his testimony by giving the example of a 2011 loan from Deutsche Bank to the Trump Organization with collateral on the debt coming in the form of the Trump National Doral Club in Miami as well as a full unconditional guarantee by Donald Trump.
The bank notes that Trump bought the course for $150m and was looking to invest another $50m in Doral. Haigh notes that the collateral was not typical as: “Golf resorts are relatively uncommon compared to other types of commercial real estate and the number of buyers ... are limited.”
Therefore the personal guarantee from Mr Trump was important and a big factor in deciding whether to extend the loan.
"It was a way of the bank getting repaid that did not rely on the collateral," Haigh says.
Deutsche Bank would not make a loan just secured by collateral without a strong personal guarantee, Haigh explains.
“Given that this was unusual collateral, a golf resort and spa, we would not want to foreclose on that collateral,” he says.
Deutsche Bank would not make a loan just secured by collateral without a strong personal guarantee, Haigh says.
“Given that this was unusual collateral, a gold resort and spa, we would not want to foreclose on that collateral,” he says.— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) October 11, 2023
Another loan document shown to the court says Mr Trump reported a net worth of $4.26bn at the time, but Deutsche Bank made a conservative estimate that it was more like $2.3bn.
The attorney general’s case says that between 2011 and 2021, Mr Trump overstated his net worth by between $1.9bn and $3.6bn in the statements of financial condition.
In other Trump-related legal news...
Wednesday 11 October 2023 16:35 , Oliver O'Connell
The number of Capitol riot guilty pleas edges toward a total of 700 people as Pennsylvania man admits to entering Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office and celebrating on video.
Feds secure another guilty plea in a Capitol riot case (approaching 700 total guilty pleas)
James Rahm III of PA acknowledges entering Speaker Pelosi office suite while amid the mob & saying on video "Holy s**, holy s**. Oh, my f**ng God. We just stormed the Capitol. Holy F**" pic.twitter.com/tGQ17oVlMY— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 11, 2023
Trump on trial: New witness — Nicholas Haigh, ex-Deutsche Bank risk management
Wednesday 11 October 2023 16:19 , Oliver O'Connell
Nicholas Haigh is on the stand today for day seven of Donald Trump’s civil trial for fraud brought against him, his sons, associates, and his real estate company by New York Attorney General Letitia James. He is being questioned by Kevin Wallace of the NY AG’s office.
Mr Haigh was head of risk management at Deutsche Bank from 2008 to 2018 and dealt with high-net-worth individuals. He had final say over whether to extend credit to such clients, he tells the court.
He describes the factors the bank took into account when making decisions on extending loans. Specifically, collateral, as in assets, and how the bank decides whether or not it’s decent enough to justify lending to the owner. They would consider how liquid an asset was and whether there was a deep market for it or whether there was only a small pool of specialised buyers.
Judge Arthur Engoron has to caution Wallace about asking leading questions of the witness.
“You can't ask leading questions, questions that suggest an answer,” he says. “You can basically ask him ‘how does it all work?’ You can’t put words in his mouth and say ‘Is that how it works.’”
Trump family member accused of withholding information from Jan 6 case - but who is it?
Wednesday 11 October 2023 15:50 , Oliver O’Connell
In a new motion filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith in the January 6 case against Donald Trump, the prosecutor accused a “a family member of the defendant” of withholding information.
The Tuesday filing states that during the course of the government’s investigation, “at least 25 witnesses withheld information, communications, and documents based on assertions of the attorney-client privilege under circumstances where the privilege holder appears to be the defendant or his 2020 presidential campaign.”
“These included co-conspirators, former campaign employees, the campaign itself, outside attorneys, a non-attorney intermediary, and even a family member of the defendant,” the filing said.
However, Mr Smith never named the Trump family member.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Mystery Trump family member accused of withholding information from Jan 6 case
Trump demands Biden ‘take back’ $6bn over war
Wednesday 11 October 2023 15:20 , Oliver O'Connell
A furious all-caps Truth Social post from Donald Trump concerning the attack on Israel:
CROOKED JOE BIDEN MUST TAKE BACK AND FREEZE THE 6 BILLION DOLLARS RIGHT NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. HOW COULD ANYONE BE SO INCOMPETENT AND STUPID? BIDEN CAUSED THIS WAR, AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE!!!
John Bowden explains what the former president is referring to and why what he is implying is not exactly true:
Is Biden’s $6bn Iran deal really behind Hamas attacks – or is GOP exploiting tragedy?
Trump on trial: Yesterday in court in the New York civil fraud case
Wednesday 11 October 2023 14:55 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s fraud trial resumes in Lower Manhattan with former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg called to the stand by Assistant New York Attorney General Louis Solomon.
Weisselberg’s testimony lasted all day and having established that he has approximately 50 years of experience in Manhattan real estate dating back to beginning to work with Fred Trump in 1973, Mr Solomon shows the court the witness’s separation agreement from the Trump Organization.
Weisselberg was placed on leave on 1 October 2022 and he signed the separation document on 9 January 2023 for $2m.
Getting down to the details of the allegations against Donald Trump and his co-defendants, questioning turns to the valuation of the former president’s Manhattan home, the Trump Tower triplex at the top of his Fifth Avenue building.
This valuation was based on a tripling of the actual square footage of the property. Weisselberg testifies that over time he learned his assumption on the size of the apartment was incorrect but claims not to recall when the assumed 30,000 square feet number was found to be wrong.
With Weisselberg having conceded that the square footage of the apartment was incorrect, a document is entered into evidence from 11 October 1994 that lists the actual size of the property as 10,996 sq ft.
Solomon asks about a September 2016 email conversation between Weisselberg and Forbes’s then-assistant managing editor Luisa Kroll regarding the values of various Trump properties.
A year later, Dan Alexander of Forbes told Weisselberg he believed the square footage of the penthouse was the correct figure of 10,996 sq ft. Mr Solomon asks if the then-CFO had ever confirmed to Forbes the correct number or told them their figure was wrong.
Weisselberg says he does not remember.
“I never focused on the triplex, to be honest with you. I looked at the bigger numbers of Jeff [McConney’s] spreadsheets,” he says, arguing that the value of the apartment was “de minimis” relative to Mr Trump’s net worth.
Another email from Forbes reporter Noah Kirsch to Weisselberg also notes the discrepancy between the claimed size of the penthouse and the 1994 declaration and asks if the declaration is up to date.
Weisselberg dodges Solomon’s questions as to whether he took any action to respond to the query about the square footage or asked anyone else to. He says he does not recall.
Justice Arthur Engoron steps in on multiple occasions during this line of questioning to remind Weisselberg to give straightforward responses to Mr Solomon’s questions.
“You did not answer the question. Please don’t make speeches, just answer the question,” the judge says.
Weisselberg is largely responding that he doesn’t recall most of what he is being asked.
The trial resumes after the morning break and Solomon introduced the result of the efforts of Forbes reporters and editors.
After repeatedly questioning the Trump Organization over the size of the penthouse of Trump Tower, Forbes eventually published an article in May 2017, after Mr Trump became president: “Donald Trump Has Been Lying About The Size Of His Penthouse”.
Weisselberg was asked about an October 2011 letter from himself to Trump’s Mazars accountants regarding the statement of financial condition for that year. In the letter, Weisselberg essentially certifies that all the information from the Trump Organization is accurate.
Asked about how the company valued assets for that year, Weisselberg responds with the defence team’s main argument: “There are many, many ways of valuing assets.”
Asked if he was obligated to provide Mazars with contradictory information about valuations, Weisselberg begins to launch into a monologue but is interrupted by Solomon who notes that it was a yes or no question.
Weisselberg answered: “Yes,” and then conceded Trump Organization did not fulfil obligations to Mazars
Solomon asked Weisselberg about his certification to Mazars that the preparation of the Trump financial statements was done in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP.
“Do you believe the Trump Organization fulfilled that responsibility, yes or no?” Solomon asks.
Weisselberg hesitated before eventually conceding: “No.”
The agreement with Mazars states: “We have not knowingly withheld from you any financial records or related data that in our judgment would be relevant to your compilation.”
“We relied on the Mazars firm to understand GAAP,” Weisselberg said..
“Is it your testimony that in making a representation to Mazars, you were relying on Mazars to make a representation back to Mazars?” Solomon responded.
“No,” Weisselberg replied.
His explanation for certifying to Mazars that all the info the Trump Organization reported was legitimate is that he only looked at the big picture and didn’t get involved in the details: “I reviewed it from a 30,000-foot level.”
As the day wore on, Weisselberg had to be reminded again by both Solomon and Judge Engoron to answer questions in the format in which they are posed — i.e. yes, or no.
For example, Solomon asked Weisselberg if he understood that Donald Trump wanted his assets described in the most flattering way in his financial statements.
Weisselberg confirmed this but his response is meandering.
Weisselberg admitted that until Mr Trump became president, he was given the statements of financial condition before they were finalised. This gave Mr Trump the opportunity to review them and he “periodically” gave Weisselberg comments.
After Mr Trump became president, Weisselberg would give the statements to either Donald Trump Jr or Eric Trump — though he can’t remember who (which was a running theme throughout his testimony). Both Trump sons are co-defendants with their father.
Reporters in court in Lower Manhattan noted that Weisselberg’s testimony has a distinct characteristic — he cannot recall much while under oath.
Trump on trial: New York fraud case to hear from ex-Deutsche Bank risk manager
Wednesday 11 October 2023 14:35 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York will pause testimony from former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg today to accommodate the schedule of another witness — former Deutsche Bank risk manager Nicholas Haigh.
New York Attorney General Letitia James claims the bank relied on Trump’s inflated net worth statements, via the company’s statements of financial condition, when it set loan terms.
Here’s Alex Woodward’s recap of the first week of the trial:
Trump’s first week in court can’t stop a trial with his business at stake
Trump revels as Hurd drops out of GOP race
Wednesday 11 October 2023 14:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump is revelling as another contender drops out of the race to be the Republican Party presidential nominee for 2024. Former Congressman Will Hurd pulled out on Tuesday and threw his support behind former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.
The former president wrote on Truth Social:
So failed former Congressman Will Hurd couldn’t make it in Congress and “sez” - “Gee, I have an idea, I think I’ll run for President.” He just quit the race after not making the debate stage, and hitting a solid ZERO in the polls. Better luck next time, Will! DONALD J. TRUMP
Here’s Gustaf Kilander’s report on the end of Mr Hurd’s campaign.
Ex-GOP congressman Will Hurd drops out of 2024 race and endorses rival
Trump not the only Republican with mounting legal problems...
Wednesday 11 October 2023 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Congressman George Santos has become infamous for his seemingly endless string of absurd — and easily debunked — lies, but his latest alleged falsehood may be the one that brings with it the heftiest consequence.
In May, Mr Santos was charged with 13 felony charges stemming from a trio of unrelated financial schemes. He has pleaded not guilty to all of his charges and has denied any wrongdoing.
However, his campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy related to her managing of the congressman’s finances, according to the New York Times.
Details from her case have now revealed that a $500,000 loan that Mr Santos lent to his campaign reportedly does not exist...
Graig Graziosi reports.
George Santos could be implicated in fake $500k loan, report says
Trump would disparage MAGA fans in private, says former Pence aide
Wednesday 11 October 2023 13:15 , Kelly Rissman
The View host Sonny Hostin asked Olivia Troye: “Why do you think so many people still have this blind loyalty to him? What does that say about the party now?”
“Well, I think it speaks to an unfortunate state of the Republican Party,” Ms Troye replied. “It is certainly not the party that I want it to be and not the party that I believe it has been in the past.”
“I think he has done a great job of sort of marketing himself as the champion for all of these people who are behind him in this movement,” she continued. “But, like, we’ve sat in these meetings. What is so frustrating and angering to me is he has nothing in common with any of his supporters and I detest the way he speaks about them.”
The way he spoke “was so disparaging to them,” she described.
Trump wants to reinstate Muslim ban if re-elected
Wednesday 11 October 2023 12:45 , Graeme Massie
Donald Trump says that he would reintroduce his Muslim travel ban as violence deepens in the Middle East after the brutal Hamas attack on Israel.
“As president, I will once again stand strongly with the state of Israel, and we will cut off the money to the terrorists on day one,” said Mr Trump, who is leading the race to be the Republican 20204 nominee.
And he told a campaign rally in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, on Monday that he would “reimpose the travel ban on terror-afflicted countries.”
Mr Trump imposed a similar ban on people from seven countries entering the US after taking office in 2017, and spouted anti-Muslim rhetoric during the 2016 campaign.
The former president claimed during the rally on Monday that “tens of thousands of probable terrorists” had entered the US since Joe Biden rescinded the travel ban.
Trump says he will reinstate Muslim travel ban if he is re-elected
Jack Smith seeks jury protections after Trump’s social media outbursts
Wednesday 11 October 2023 11:45 , Alex Woodward
Following Donald Trump’s outbursts in his New York fraud trial that resulted in a gag order against him, US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith has requested protections for jurors and prospective jurors ahead of the former president’s trial in his election subversion case.
Last week, the judge presiding over a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James against Mr Trump’s business empire warned he could face “serious sanctions” if he continues to speak out against members of the court after he falsely attacked Judge Arthur Engoron’s chief clerk on his Truth Social account.
In his filing to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan on 10 October, Mr Smith said that among the “good reasons” for the court to impose certain restrictions on juror information, “chief among them is the defendant’s continued use of social media as a weapon of intimidation in court proceedings.”
The filing notes that “just last week the defendant escalated his conduct and publicly attacked” Judge Engoron’s clerk in New York Supreme Court.
Continued...
Jack Smith seeks jury protections after Trump’s Truth Social outbursts
Haley 2024 campaign raises $11m as poll puts her as Trump’s closest rival
Wednesday 11 October 2023 10:45 , Mike Bedigan
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley raised over $11m from July to September, her campaign has said, further boosting her chances of being the person to take on current favourite Donald Trump.
The former South Carolina governor is vying for position with Ron DeSantis, having recently taken the lead in some polls with just over three months to go before the first GOP nominating contest in Iowa.
Despite her increased haul – up from $7.3m last quarter – Ms Haley still lags behind the Florida governor in terms of fundraising, and even further behind former president Trump.
Ms Haley’s campaign said she had attracted nearly 40,000 new donors in the third quarter alone and that she had $9.1m cash on hand. It follows strong performances in both GOP debates and a tireless campaign schedule.
“We have seen a big surge in support and have real momentum,” Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said in a statement.
Mystery Trump family member accused of withholding information from Jan 6 case
Wednesday 11 October 2023 10:15 , Rachel Sharp
A mystery member of Donald Trump’s family has been accused of withholding information from investigators in the federal criminal case charging the former president over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
In court documents on Tuesday, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office said that at least 25 witnesses had “withheld information, communications, and documents” claiming attorney-client privilege.
“These included co-conspirators, former campaign employees, the campaign itself, outside attorneys, a non-attorney intermediary, and even a family member of the defendant,” the filing states.
It is not clear which family member prosecutors are referring to.
Special counsel fires back as Trump tries to delay classified documents trial
Wednesday 11 October 2023 09:45 , Kelly Rissman
Special Counsel Jack Smith has blasted former president Donald Trump’s request to postpone his classified documents trial until after the 2024 election.
Mr Smith pointed out that not only is Mr Trump asking “the Court to continue the trial for an additional seven months” but that a delay had already been rejected by the court “less than three months ago”.
The classified documents trial is set to begin in May 2024.
“The defendants provide no credible justification to postpone a trial that is still seven months away,” Mr Smith wrote.
“They are fully informed about the charges and the theory of the Government’s case from a highly detailed superseding indictment and comprehensive, organized unclassified and classified discovery.”
Read more...
Jack Smith fires back as Trump tries to delay trial until after 2024 election
Gaetz calls McCarthy’s insults a ‘death rattle’
Wednesday 11 October 2023 08:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The House GOP remains in disarray.
Congressmen Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise have expressed their intentions to become the next speaker of the House. However, it’s unclear if either of the men can secure the 217 votes needed to win an election.
The party has been embroiled in a civil war since former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted by a group of eight Republicans led by Congressman Matt Gaetz.
The MAGA Republicans moved against Mr McCarthy shortly after he worked with Democrats to avert a government shutdown at the end of last month.
Since then, the speakership has been in limbo and the war of words continues.
Graig Graziosi reports.
Matt Gaetz calls McCarthy’s insults a ‘death rattle’ as House GOP remains in disarray
Trump calls attacks on Israel ‘incredible'
Wednesday 11 October 2023 07:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has said that the “incredible” attacks on Israel by Hamas wouldn’t have happened if he had been president.
During a campaign speech in New Hampshire on Monday, Mr Trump said: “What happened yesterday was incredible ... so many people killed ... the number was much bigger than they reported even this morning. It’s a very big number, very, very big number”.
The former president went on to call it a “vicious” attack and noted that “young children” were “just slaughtered”.
“It’s terrible what’s going on,” he added.
Mr Trump then quickly segued into a reading of the song The Snake by Al Wilson.
Explained: Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election
Wednesday 11 October 2023 05:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Alex Woodward reports on how a sprawling Justice Department probe into the former president and his allies yielded four criminal charges in a stunning indictment outlining a path to power at whatever cost...
The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained
Is DeSantis wearing ‘hidden heels’? Trump thinks so...
Wednesday 11 October 2023 04:15 , Martha McHardy
Donald Trump has roasted his 2024 rival Ron DeSantis for supposedly wearing “hidden heels”.
The former president took to his Truth Social platform on Monday to accuse the Florida governor of wearing heels to mask his height — or lack thereof.
He posted a montage of photos of Mr DeSantis during a recent appearance on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, where it looks as though he could be wearing heeled boots.
“Tell me he’s not wearing hidden heels,” the post read.
Mr Trump also outlined where he claimed the Florida governor’s feet supposedly really are.
Trump roasts DeSantis for supposedly wearing ‘hidden heels’
ICYMI: Biden interview by special counsel over classified documents
Wednesday 11 October 2023 03:15 , Andrew Feinberg
President Joe Biden has been interviewed by Department of Justice prosecutors who’ve been looking into how documents with classification markings ended up at his Delaware homes and a Washington, DC office he used while out of government, the White House has said.
In a statement, White House spokesman Ian Sams said the “voluntary interview,” which started on Sunday and finished on Monday, was part of the probe being overseen by Robert Hur, the former Maryland US Attorney who was tasked with investigating the documents at locations linked to Mr Biden.
Mr Hur, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland this past January, has spent the last nine months interviewing various figures connected with Mr Biden’s term as vice president, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a former assistant, Kathy Chung.
Both Mr Blinken and Mr Chung played roles in packing Mr Biden’s office in late 2008 and early 2009 during the transition between the Obama administration and the Trump administration.
Continued...
Biden sat for ‘voluntary interview’ with prosecutors in documents probe
Lawmaker calls on House colleagues to end civil war and elect speaker
Wednesday 11 October 2023 02:15 , Graig Graziosi
House Republicans are urging their colleagues to end the “civil war” that has erupted since the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Congressman Mike McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs committee, urged his party to unify as “we have got to move quickly, we cannot paralyse democracy, especially when we have hotspots all over the world,” likely a reference to the erupting violence in Israel and the West Bank.
“I’m just worried about the messaging this sends,” he said, during an interview with CNN.
Last week eight hard-right Republicans, led by Congressman Matt Gaetz, managed to oust Mr McCarthy from the Speakership. The move was largely seen as a punishment for his decision to work with Democrats to avert a government shutdown.
Mr McCaul told CNN’s State of the Union that it was imperative that the House choose a speaker to ensure legislation makes it back to the floor.
Trump not the only Republican with mounting legal problems...
Wednesday 11 October 2023 01:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Congressman George Santos has become infamous for his seemingly endless string of absurd — and easily debunked — lies, but his latest alleged falsehood may be the one that brings with it the heftiest consequence.
In May, Mr Santos was charged with 13 felony charges stemming from a trio of unrelated financial schemes. He has pleaded not guilty to all of his charges and has denied any wrongdoing.
However, his campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy related to her managing of the congressman’s finances, according to the New York Times.
Details from her case have now revealed that a $500,000 loan that Mr Santos lent to his campaign reportedly does not exist...
Graig Graziosi reports.
George Santos could be implicated in fake $500k loan, report says
With Biden Iran deal accusations, is GOP exploiting Israel tragedy for partisan purposes
Wednesday 11 October 2023 01:15 , Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
Images of the violence have enraged supporters of Israel and Palestine alike across America, and with the 2024 presidential election looming in the background, efforts to politicise the conflict have begun in earnest.
That was clear over the weekend as every Republican candidate in the race blamed Joe Biden and his administration for the outbreak in violence — a result, they say, of the Biden administration’s softened approach towards Iran. The Iranian government’s involvement in the conflict has been hotly debated, with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)’s support for Hamas well known but no clear evidence yet pointing to Iranian tactical or military support for the militants involved in the fight today. A Wall Street Journal report directly linked Iran’s government to the weekend attacks on Israel, citing senior Hamas and Hezbollah members, but has since been contradicted by statements from US officials.
Even Israel’s government seems conflicted over whether Iran is directly involved in the renewed fighting.
Read more...
Is Biden’s $6bn Iran deal really behind Hamas attacks – or is GOP exploiting tragedy?
Fulton County prosecutors seek testimony of Alex Jones and Ronna McDaniel
Wednesday 11 October 2023 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Fulton County prosecutors in Georgia are seeking the testimony of conspiracy theorist and broadcaster Alex Jones and RNC chair Ronna McDaniel in the upcoming trial of the State of Georgia v Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell.
They are both described as necessary and material witnesses to the proof of the state’s case.
Mr Jones participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Georgia State Capitol alongside members of the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and others, and was also at the 6 January 2021 march on the US Capitol alongside Mr Chesebro.
Ms McDaniel received a phone call from Donald Trump and John Eastman about the importance of the RNC in helping the campaign gather “contingent” electors for the 2020 presidential election. Her response was handed to the then-president by his executive assistant.
Former general reminds GOP of time Trump leaked Israeli intel
Wednesday 11 October 2023 00:15 , Martha McHardy
A former US general took to Twitter on Sunday to remind Republicans laying blame on the Biden administration after Hamas militants launched the deadliest attack on Israel in decades that Donald Trump shared classified intelligence from Israel with Iran-allied Russia when he was president.
Retired army general Mark Hertling shared a story about allegations the former president told top Russian officials that Israel had successfully hacked Isis computers in order to gain intelligence about bomb plots against the West in a meeting at the White House in 2017.
At the time, the former president’s actions reportedly ignited fears by Israel that Russia could have passed the information to its ally Iran, which has long been a supporter of the Palestinian cause.
Mr Trump reportedly leaked the information in a meeting in the Oval Office in May 2017 with the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the then-Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak. Amid uproar over the revelation, Mr Trump insisted he had every right to give Russia the information.
Former US general reminds GOP Trump leaked Israeli intel to Russians in White House
Trump lays into ‘RINO’ opponents saying Republicans ‘eat their young’
Tuesday 10 October 2023 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has posted another screed on Truth Social saying that his rivals for the Republican Party nomination are “getting together with RINO Paul RINO, Mitt ‘The Loser’ Romney, Bill ‘No Guts or Talent’ Barr, and some broken political ‘investors’ that will soon come to me”.
The former president says that by opposing him for the nomination they are only helping “Crooked Joe Biden” with their “failed ideas and policies”.
Here’s what he posted:
I understand Candidates that are losing by 57 to 70 Points are getting together with RINO Paul RINO, Mitt “The Loser” Romney, Bill “No Guts or Talent” Barr, and some broken political “investors” that will soon come to me, as most others already have. These failed Candidates should have started by campaigning effectively, which they didn’t because they don’t have the skill or the talent! Romney, who today couldn’t get elected “dogcatcher” in the Great State of Utah, should have beaten an absolutely failed first term Obama. If he and RINO Paul fought as hard against Obama as they do against President Donald J. Trump, they would never have lost, but remember, Republicans “Eat Their Young,” and that’s the problem with so many in our Party, they go after the people who are on their side, rather than the Radical Left Democrats that are DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY. These are LOSERS, and the Republican Nation must stop following their failed ideas and policies. They only help Crooked Joe Biden!
Nikki Haley warned about refusal to condemn Trump
Tuesday 10 October 2023 23:15 , Alex Woodward
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has refused to say whether Donald Trump should be disqualified for the GOP’s 2024 nomination after his comments suggesting that the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff should be executed for treason.
During NBC’s Meet the Press on 8 October, Ms Haley, a former South Carolina governor and US ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration, called his comments “irresponsible” but did not say whether she believes his comments are disqualifying.
“I think any man or woman who served our country deserves our highest respect,” she said. “They sacrifice a lot. Their families sacrifice a lot. And we should honour them every chance we get.”
Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat of New York University said Ms Haley’s refusal to outright condemn Mr Trump’s increasingly violent rhetoric offers a grim warning of a growing tolerance for authoritarian violence.
Authoritarianism expert has a warning about Nikki Haley’s refusal to condemn Trump
Is Mar-a-Lago really worth $1bn? Depends who you ask...
Tuesday 10 October 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
How much is Donald Trump‘s Mar-a-Lago worth? That’s been a point of contention after a New York judge ruled that the former president exaggerated the Florida property’s value when he said it’s worth at least $420 million and perhaps $1.5 billion.
Siding with New York’s attorney general in a lawsuit accusing Trump of grossly overvaluing his assets, Judge Arthur Engoron found that Trump consistently exaggerated Mar-a-Lago’s worth. He noted that one Trump estimate of the club’s value was 2,300% times the Palm Beach County tax appraiser’s valuations, which ranged from $18 million to $37 million.
But Palm Beach real estate agents who specialize in high-end properties scoffed at the idea that the estate could be worth that little, in the unlikely event Trump ever sold.
“Ludicrous,” agent Liza Pulitzer said about the judge citing the county’s tax appraisal as a benchmark. Homes a tenth the size of Mar-a-Lago on tiny inland lots sell for that in the Town of Palm Beach, a wealthy island enclave.
“The entire real estate community felt it was a joke when they saw that figure,” said Pulitzer, who works for the firm Brown Harris Stevens.
“That thing would get snapped up for hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Rob Thomson, owner of Waterfront Properties and a Mar-a-Lago member. “There is zero chance that it’s going to sell for $40 million or $50 million.”
In the ongoing trial over the lawsuit, though, what a private buyer might pay for a place like Mar-a-Lago isn’t the only factor in determining whether Trump is liable for fraud.
Trump wants to reinstate Muslim ban if he wins in 2024
Tuesday 10 October 2023 22:15 , Graeme Massie
Donald Trump says that he would reintroduce his Muslim travel ban as violence deepens in the Middle East after the brutal Hamas attack on Israel.
“As president, I will once again stand strongly with the state of Israel, and we will cut off the money to the terrorists on day one,” said Mr Trump, who is leading the race to be the Republican 20204 nominee.
And he told a campaign rally in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, on Monday that he would “reimpose the travel ban on terror-afflicted countries.”
Mr Trump imposed a similar ban on people from seven countries entering the US after taking office in 2017, and spouted anti-Muslim rhetoric during the 2016 campaign.
The former president claimed during the rally on Monday that “tens of thousands of probable terrorists” had entered the US since Joe Biden rescinded the travel ban.
Recap: Trump begins day by attacking Biden and DeSantis
Tuesday 10 October 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump began his day by hitting out at both President Joe Biden and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his usual self-aggrandising way.
He first wrote about the president:
I see that Crooked Joe Biden is working on his documents situation. He moved documents, many classified, all over the place, for years, including to CHINATOWN. He even took documents as a Senator, an absolute no, no! I come under the Presidential Records Act, he doesn’t - A big difference!!! I did nothing wrong, he did, and so did many others!
Turning his attention to Mr DeSantis, he posted:
Ron DeSanctimonious has the Poll numbers of a wounded bird falling from the sky. I am up on him by 57 points, and going higher. He has proven to be a terrible and inept candidate who even fought Social Security and MediCare. He will SOON be out of money and dropping out of the race for President. After having single handidly gotten him elected Governor, with no thanks or glory, it has been a beautiful thing to watch. Good luck Ron!
Voices: The race for House speaker can hardly be called a race
Tuesday 10 October 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
On Wednesday, the House GOP conference will convene to pick a new speaker. As of right now, the House has two major candidates: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the favoured pick of the establishment and a prolific fundraiser with a strong whipping operation; and Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus who has spent his 16 years in Congress as a hellraiser who appeals largely to the conservative base of the GOP.
Meanwhile, on Monday, after the news of Hamas’s assault on Israel which left hundreds dead, and Israel’s military response in Gaza, Mr McCarthy seemed to crack the door open to once again returning to the speakership. Meanwhile, Democrats, despite internal divisions on a host of issues, are wholly united in supporting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
But as of right now, there’s a brutal truth – nobody can get to the magic number of votes needed to become speaker.
Read the full article...
The race for House speaker can hardly be called a race
Haley campaign raises $11m as poll puts her as Trump’s closest rival
Tuesday 10 October 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley raised over $11m from July to September, her campaign has said, further boosting her chances of being the person to take on current favourite Donald Trump.
The former South Carolina governor is vying for position with Ron DeSantis, having recently taken the lead in some polls with just over three months to go before the first GOP nominating contest in Iowa.
Despite her increased haul – up from $7.3m last quarter – Ms Haley still lags behind the Florida governor in terms of fundraising, and even further behind former president Trump.
Ms Haley’s campaign said she had attracted nearly 40,000 new donors in the third quarter alone and that she had $9.1m cash on hand. It follows strong performances in both GOP debates and a tireless campaign schedule.
“We have seen a big surge in support and have real momentum,” Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said in a statement.
Continued...
Nikki Haley’s campaign raises $11m as poll puts her as Trump’s closest rival
Weisselberg testimony punctured with repeated bouts of memory loss
Tuesday 10 October 2023 21:25 , Oliver O'Connell
Reporters in court in Lower Manhattan today note that Allen Weisselberg’s testimony has a distinct feature... he cannot recall much while under questioning.
Weisselberg was confronted with a statement of financial condition issued after Trump was president, when he and DJT Jr. served as trustees of the revocable trust. Weisselberg said he didn’t do anything differently. He didn’t recall even discussing the final version with Jr.
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) October 10, 2023
Trump would disparage MAGA fans in private, says former Pence aide
Tuesday 10 October 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s homeland security adviser Olivia Troye has claimed that former President Donald Trump used to mock his “Make America Great Again” followers behind closed doors.
On The View, co-host Sunny Hostin pointed to a Tuesday poll by Morning Consult that showed the former president with 61 per cent of GOP primary support. Hostin then asked Ms Troye, “Why do you think so many people still have this blind loyalty to him? What does that say about the party now?”
“Well, I think it speaks to an unfortunate state of the Republican Party,” Ms Troye replied. “It is certainly not the party that I want it to be and not the party that I believe it has been in the past.”
“I think he has done a great job of sort of marketing himself as the champion for all of these people who are behind him in this movement,” she continued. “But, like, we’ve sat in these meetings. What is so frustrating and angering to me is he has nothing in common with any of his supporters and I detest the way he speaks about them.”
The way he spoke “was so disparaging to them,” she described.
Read on...
Former Pence aide says Trump would disparage MAGA fans in private
Judge McAfee wraps up by addressing jury questionnaire
Tuesday 10 October 2023 20:59 , Oliver O'Connell
Addressing the state’s arguments, Grubman tells Judge McAfee that their argument is circular reasoning.
While the state says its own indictment is sufficient to pierce attorney-client privilege through the crime-fraud exception, Grubman argues that “accusations are not evidence” and the indictment is just an accusation.
Judge McAfee tells Grubman to submit to the court an email that establishes an attorney-client relationship between Chesebro and the Trump campaign, and copies of legal documents Chesebro is asking to have excluded. He will then decide whether the crime-fraud exception has been made.
In a discussion about the jury questionnaire, the defence complains that the prosecution’s suggested questions boil down to “Are you a Republican?” Judge McAfee says that both sides have submitted similar questions and there is no way around exploring the political views of the jury pool.
Tuesday 10 October 2023 20:35 , Oliver O'Connell
Back in Fulton County...
Tuesday 10 October 2023 20:24 , Oliver O'Connell
Attorney Scott Grubman, representing Kenneth Chesebro, argued for the motion to exclude the legal memorandum.
He said the memos Chesebro wrote regarding electors were subject to attorney-client privilege and he said the Trump campaign (the client) has not waived that privilege.
The fact that Chesebro is the subject of the indictment is not sufficient to invoke the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege, Mr Grubman argues.
Similarly, he argues the January 6 Committee report is also not sufficient as it was prepared by a political body and Chesebro had no opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.
Responding for the state, Donald Wakeford says the crime-fraud exception is noa high bar to meet and the state only has to make a “prima facie” case.
The indictment alone is sufficient to make a prima facie case, Wakeford claims. He also points to the January 6 report and Special Counsel Jack Smith’s federal indictment against Mr Trump, which mentions an unindicted co-conspirator who appears to be Chesebro.
The indictment alone is sufficient to make a prima facie case, Wakeford claims.
He also points to the Jan. 6 Committee report and the special counsel's federal indictment against Trump, which mentions an unindicted co-conspirator who appears to be Chesebro.— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) October 10, 2023
Meanwhile, at the Trump New York fraud trial...
Tuesday 10 October 2023 19:57 , Oliver O'Connell
Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg is still on the stand and has to be reminded by both Assistant Attorney General Louis Solomon and Justice Arthur Engoron to answer questions in the format in which they are posed — i.e. yes, or no.
For example, Solomon asks Weisselberg if he understood that Donald Trump wanted his assets described in the most flattering way in his financial statements.
Weisselberg confirms this but his response is meandering.
And after Trump became president, he gave them to DJT Jr. or Eric, but he cannot recall exactly who. 2/
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) October 10, 2023
Weisselberg admitted that until Mr Trump became president, he was given the statements of financial condition before they were finalised. This gave Mr Trump the opportunity to review them and he “periodically” gave Weisselberg comments.
After Mr Trump became president, Weisselberg would give the statements to either Donald Trump Jr or Eric Trump — though he can’t remember who (which has been a running theme throughout his testimony). Both Trump sons are co-defendants with their father.
Fulton County prosecutors seek testimony of Alex Jones and Ronna McDaniel
Tuesday 10 October 2023 19:51 , Oliver O'Connell
Fulton County prosecutors in Georgia are seeking the testimony of conspiracy theorist and broadcaster Alex Jones and RNC chair Ronna McDaniel in the upcoming trial of the State of Georgia v Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell.
They are both described as necessary and material witnesses to the proof of the state’s case.
Mr Jones participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Georgia State Capitol alongside members of the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and others, and was also at the 6 January 2021 march on the US Capitol alongside Mr Chesebro.
Ms McDaniel received a phone call from Donald Trump and John Eastman about the importance of the RNC in helping the campaign gather “contingent” electors for the 2020 presidential election. Her response was handed to the then-president by his executive assistant.
Tuesday 10 October 2023 19:33 , Oliver O'Connell
In response to the First Argument, Wooten says that Chesebro’s charges are not rooted in freedom of speech but in conspiracy.
“The heart of a conspiracy charge is not expression, it’s agreement,” he says.
Wooten reminds Judge McAfee that Shafer and others were not Chesebro's clients. So I don't see how that can be construed as legal advice, he says.
Instead, he says, Chesebro's actions were political in nature.— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) October 10, 2023
Trump attacks DeSantis over ‘hidden heels'
Tuesday 10 October 2023 19:30 , Martha McHardy
Donald Trump has roasted his 2024 rival Ron DeSantis for supposedly wearing “hidden heels”.
The former president took to his Truth Social platform on Monday to accuse the Florida governor of wearing heels to mask his height — or lack thereof.
He posted a montage of photos of Mr DeSantis during a recent appearance on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, where it looks as though he could be wearing heeled boots.
“Tell me he’s not wearing hidden heels,” the post read.
Mr Trump also outlined where he claimed the Florida governor’s feet supposedly really are.
Read more...
Trump roasts DeSantis for supposedly wearing ‘hidden heels’
Tuesday 10 October 2023 19:12 , Oliver O'Connell
Judge McAfee says he will take everything under advisement and a written order will follow in response to the motion to dismiss.
Mr Arora begins his First Amendment argument.
Much like the previous argument, Judge McAfee doesn’t seem convinced this is the moment for this argument and should instead probably be raised at the directed verdict stage.
Tuesday 10 October 2023 19:07 , Oliver O'Connell
Judge McAfee says the case being made by the defence might be getting ahead of itself, and that there are facts included in their argument that have yet to be established. This might be better argued when requesting a directed verdict before the jury deliberates at trial, he says.
Mr Arora argues that all of his client’s acts occurred after the safe harbour date and therefore fall under federal remit.
Representing the prosecution is Will Wooten, who opens by saying: “I don't think this motion is really going anywhere, frankly.”
He says that the arguments of the defence do not apply in these circumstances.
Chesebro lawyer argues Georgia has no power to charge his client
Tuesday 10 October 2023 18:56 , Oliver O'Connell
Kenneth Chesebro's counsel, Manny Arora, is first up to argue the Supremacy Clause motion in which he says that the state of Georgia does not have the power to charge his client for actions relating to organising electors for Donald Trump because this is governed by federal law after the “safe harbour” deadline.
Per Anna Bower of Lawfare.
McAfee: So are you basically saying that DOJ could have put forward this indictment?
Arora (Chesebro's counsel): Right. This is a matter of federal law, it's not a state issue. "This is pure federalism...[and] the feds haven't given up that authority."— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) October 10, 2023
Trump lays into ‘RINO’ opponents saying Republicans ‘eat their young'
Tuesday 10 October 2023 18:44 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has posted another screed on Truth Social saying that his rivals for the Republican Party nomination are “getting together with RINO Paul RINO, Mitt ‘The Loser’ Romney, Bill ‘No Guts or Talent’ Barr, and some broken political ‘investors’ that will soon come to me”.
The former president says that by opposing him for the nomination they are only helping “Crooked Joe Biden” with their “failed ideas and policies”.
Here’s what he posted:
I understand Candidates that are losing by 57 to 70 Points are getting together with RINO Paul RINO, Mitt “The Loser” Romney, Bill “No Guts or Talent” Barr, and some broken political “investors” that will soon come to me, as most others already have. These failed Candidates should have started by campaigning effectively, which they didn’t because they don’t have the skill or the talent! Romney, who today couldn’t get elected “dogcatcher” in the Great State of Utah, should have beaten an absolutely failed first term Obama. If he and RINO Paul fought as hard against Obama as they do against President Donald J. Trump, they would never have lost, but remember, Republicans “Eat Their Young,” and that’s the problem with so many in our Party, they go after the people who are on their side, rather than the Radical Left Democrats that are DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY. These are LOSERS, and the Republican Nation must stop following their failed ideas and policies. They only help Crooked Joe Biden!
Fulton County hearing gets underway
Tuesday 10 October 2023 18:36 , Oliver O'Connell
Judge Scott McAfee has entered the courtroom at the Fulton County Courthouse for motions hearings in the State of Georgia v Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell.
Mr Chesebro is in court.
The hearing will cover a motion to dismiss under the Supremacy Clause; First Amendment protections; and a motion to exclude legal memoranda under attorney-client privilege.
You can watch here:
How will the race to replace McCarthy as speaker unfold?
Tuesday 10 October 2023 18:25 , Gustaf Kilander
House Republicans are hoping to choose a new speaker within the next 24 hours, but nothing is clear about the outcome as the conference remains divided and enveloped in chaos.
Neither of the candidates – Louisiana Republican Rep Steve Scalise and Ohio Republican Rep Jim Jordan – are close to having majority support within the House Republican Party, and are even further away from reaching a majority on the floor of the chamber.
On Monday night, the House Republicans met for a meeting in the basement of the US Capitol as they shared their frustrations following last week’s ouster of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. While Mr McCarthy, who didn’t attend the meeting, has said he isn’t a candidate for the post, he has kept the door ajar to possibly returning.
Here’s how things are expected to unfold:
House speaker race: How the vote for McCarthy’s replacement will unfold
Full story: Jack Smith seeks jury protections after Trump’s Truth Social outbursts
Tuesday 10 October 2023 18:00 , Alex Woodward
Following Donald Trump’s outbursts in his New York fraud trial that resulted in a gag order against him, US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith has requested protections for jurors and prospective jurors ahead of the former president’s trial in his election subversion case.
Last week, the judge presiding over a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James against Mr Trump’s business empire warned he could face “serious sanctions” if he continues to speak out against members of the court after he falsely attacked Judge Arthur Engoron’s chief clerk on his Truth Social account.
“There are other good reasons in this case for the court to impose these restrictions and enforce this District’s standard prohibition against publicizing jurors’ identities,” Mr Smith wrote in a filing on 10 October to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan. “Chief among them is the defendant’s continued use of social media as a weapon of intimidation in court proceedings.”
The filing notes that “just last week the defendant escalated his conduct and publicly attacked” Judge Engoron’s clerk in the New York Supreme Court.
Read more...
Jack Smith seeks jury protections after Trump’s Truth Social outbursts
Meanwhile, in Fulton County
Tuesday 10 October 2023 17:32 , Oliver O'Connell
At the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia, Judge Scott McAfee was preparing for two hearings this morning: a status conference for two Trump co-defendants, Ray Smith and Mike Roman; and a motions hearing in State v Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell.
However, a court officer informed members of the press that the scheduled 11am status conference was cancelled after the judge met with defence attorneys for Mr Roman and Mr Smith in chambers. Both will file speedy trial waivers.
Before this, it was possible that the pair could be tried alongside Mr Chesebro and Ms Powell, as they had not waived their speedy trial rights in full. They could also have been severed from the larger group of non-speedy defendants, but that has now been resolved.
The motions hearing for Mr Chesebro and Ms Powell is still scheduled for 1.30pm ET.
Until now, it was *possible* that Roman & Smith could be tried alongside Chesebro & Powell, bc neither had waived their speedy trial rights in full. Or they could have been severed from the larger group of non-speedy defendants. This resolves that issue.https://t.co/AaJhKAUEdz
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) October 10, 2023
Tuesday 10 October 2023 17:21 , Oliver O'Connell
The agreement with Mazars states: “We have not knowingly withheld from you any financial records or related data that in our judgment would be relevant to your compilation.”
“We relied on the Mazars firm to understand GAAP,” Weisselberg says.
“Is it your testimony that in making a representation to Mazars, you were relying on Mazars to make a representation back to Mazars?” Solomon responds.
“No,” Weisselberg replies.
His explanation for certifying to Mazars that all the info the Trump Organization reported was legitimate is that he only looked at the big picture and didn’t get involved in the details: “I reviewed it from a 30,000-foot level.”
Weisselberg concedes Trump Organization did not fulfil obligations to Mazars
Tuesday 10 October 2023 17:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Solomon asks Weisselberg about his certification to Mazars that the preparation of the Trump financial statements was done in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP.
“Do you believe the Trump Org. fulfilled that responsibility, yes or no?” Solomon asks.
Weisselberg hesitates and looks around the courtroom for his attorney, before eventually conceding, “No.”
“Do you believe the Trump Org. fulfilled that responsibility, yes or no?” Solomon asks.
Weisselberg hesitates, looks around the courtroom for his atty, before eventually conceding, "No."— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) October 10, 2023
Special counsel wants deadline for Trump to declare ‘advice of counsel’ defence in election conspiracy case
Tuesday 10 October 2023 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell
In a new court filing, Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked the court to set a deadline for Donald Trump to declare if he will be using an “advice of counsel” defence in his federal 2020 election conspiracy criminal case.
If the former president is going to defend himself in this way, Smith says the prosecution is entitled to additional evidence and discovery. Trump lawyers have indicated in the media that they may pursue this line of defence.
“At least 25 witnesses withheld information, communications, and documents based on assertions of the attorney-client privilege,” the filing states.
Smith wants to keep the case moving swiftly and still wants the trial to begin in May 2024.
Jack Smith argues he wants to keep trial calendar moving swiftly & on-time
He wants court to set timely deadlines for Trump to officially declare an "advice of counsel" defense
Smith says Trump's lawyers have indicated such a defense in media interviewshttps://t.co/4n9ToJCZ9T— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 10, 2023
Weisselberg pushed on infromation provided to Mazars
Tuesday 10 October 2023 17:01 , Oliver O'Connell
Weisselberg is asked about an October 2011 letter from himself to Trump’s Mazars accountants regarding the statement of financial condition for that year. In the letter, Weisselberg essentially certifies that all the information from the Trump Organization is accurate.
Asked about how the company valued assets for that year, Weisselberg responds with the defence team’s main argument: “There are many, many ways of valuing assets.”
Asked if he was obligated to provide Mazars with contradictory information about valuations, Weisselberg begins to launch into a monologue but is interrupted by Solomon who notes that it was a yes or no question.
Weisselberg answers: “Yes.”
Special counsel asks for jury protections in DC election interference case
Tuesday 10 October 2023 16:46 , Oliver O'Connell
Special Counsel Jack Smith is asking for jury protections in Donald Trump’s federal election interference case in a new court filing, referencing the former president’s recent outburst in the New York fraud trial that resulted in a gag order in that case.
“There are other good reasons in this case for the Court to impose these restrictions and enforce this District’s standard prohibition against publicizing jurors’ identities,” according to Smith’s filing. “Chief among them is the defendant’s continued use of social media as a weapon of intimidation in court proceedings.”
Read the full filing here.
Judge Scott McAfee in Fulton County, Georgia has also agreed to jury and prospective juror protections after prosecutors warned about threats potentially fueled by Mr Trump’s social media soapbox.
Alex Woodward reported on that order in September:
Georgia juror names in Trump case will be kept secret following security fears
