Former President Trump is facing a significant legal battle as his defense attorney claims that he never asked Mike Pence to overturn the will of the voters but instead wanted him to “pause” the certification of votes. The attorney argues that Trump was within his First Amendment rights when he made this request to Pence.
However, Trump’s criticism extends beyond this defense as he also openly criticizes U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan overseeing his case. Trump demands her recusal and a change of venue for his trial. If convicted, Trump could face decades of imprisonment. Nonetheless, he denies the charges and pleads not guilty.
The charges that Trump is facing encompass a range of alleged offenses, including falsifying business records, hush money payments, possession of classified documents, and obstruction of an investigation. The recent indictment further reveals that Trump and his allies repeatedly lied about the election results and pressured Pence and state officials to take action to help him remain in power.
Trump’s defense attorney asserts that Pence’s testimony will demonstrate that Trump genuinely believed the election was rigged. The attorney claims that Trump’s request for a certification delay was based on advice from his legal team. However, Pence rejects the defense’s claim and states that Trump asked him to reject electoral votes outright. Pence’s role in certifying Joe Biden’s win makes him a key figure in the prosecution against Trump.
The indictment outlines how people close to Trump informed him that he had lost the election and that his fraud claims were baseless. In an effort to ensure a fair trial, Trump’s defense team wants to move the case out of Washington, seeking a more diverse jury. They also support televising the trial.
Former Attorney General Bill Barr publicly stated that Trump knew he had lost the election. As the legal battle continues, Trump’s defense team has until Monday to respond to the prosecution’s request for a protective order limiting Trump’s disclosure of case information. Prosecutors argue for the necessity of this protective order, citing Trump’s social media posts and their potential impact on witnesses, judges, and attorneys involved in the case.
The trial of former President Trump is set to be a significant event, with potential implications for the future of American politics. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the court will handle the complex web of allegations and defenses put forth by both sides.
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