Trump Lawyer Blanche: DOJ Should End Cases Against Ex-President
Amid numerous ongoing legal battles, Todd Blanche, lead counsel for Donald Trump, has made a strong appeal for the cessation of all prosecutions against the former U.S. president.
Blanche articulated his stance against the DOJ's continued pursuit of Trump on an episode of Hugh Hewitt's podcast, which came shortly after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon's controversial decision to dismiss a case involving allegedly mishandled classified documents, as Newsmax reports.
Cannon ruled that the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutional in that it lacked the necessary congressional approval or statutory basis.
Chronology of Legal Challenges and Judicial Decisions
Trump’s legal troubles extend beyond the classified documents controversy. He is also accused in a Washington, D.C. court of obstructing the 2020 election results in a case also led by Smith.
Despite these serious allegations, Blanche argues that many elements of the indictment should never have been presented to the grand jury.
This statement from Blanche came at a tense moment, just three days after an attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania, heightening the political drama surrounding these events.
In addition to the Washington case, Trump faces charges in Georgia for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results and a sentencing date in New York, where he was convicted for falsifying business records in payments made to Michael Cohen labeled as "legal expenses."
Legal Immunity and Controversies
During Trump's trial in New York, presided over by Judge Juan Merchan, Blanche criticized the handling of Trump’s immunity arguments.
He claimed that evidence that should have been inadmissible was allowed, affecting the fairness of the trial.
The Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of a requirement for unanimity in criminal convictions also plays a significant role, as contested during Trump’s trial.
Blanche emphasized that these standards were not properly applied, further questioning the legitimacy of the conviction.
"The Supreme Court's decision two weeks ago was a wake-up call," Blanche remarked, indicating a potential shift in how former presidential acts might be judged legally.
He also noted that most of the D.C. indictment and trial testimony contained information that "should have never been part of a charge against a former president."
Appeals for Leadership and Legal Reassessment
"You're right that the attorney general can stop this today. President Biden can stop this today. Jack Smith can stop this today," Blanche stated, calling for leadership to intervene and possibly dismiss the charges to heal the nation’s divisions.
He also mentioned, "This conviction, in our view, should have never happened in the first place. But just under the Supreme Court's decision, it should be dismissed, in our view, immediately," advocating for a reassessment of Trump's legal entanglements in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling.
Blanche's comments underline a complex legal landscape where presidential immunity, the constitutionality of appointments, and the fairness of legal proceedings converge, suggesting a potential recalibration of how former presidents are treated in the judicial system.
Conclusion: A Complex Battle Ahead
In conclusion, the legal landscape surrounding former President Donald Trump remains fraught with complexity.
From the Supreme Court’s rulings on presidential immunity to contentious legal proceedings in multiple states, the calls for dismissal of all charges against Trump by his attorney Todd Blanche introduce significant legal and political debates about the nature of accountability and the scope of presidential privileges after office.