The Fifth Amendment and Former Guy (Trump)

August 12, 2022

The Fifth Amendment and Former Guy (Trump)

The Fifth Amendment and Former Guy (Trump)

Donald J. Trump

My oh my! Former Guy appeared for a deposition – testimony under oath – on August 10, 2022. He relied on the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as a basis for providing no substantive responses.

The Fifth Amendment

The relevant language in the constitutional amendment states: “No person … shall be compelled in a criminal case to be a witness against himself … .” I don’t know what Former Guy said, in fact: Reporting suggests that he used the words “same answer” repeatedly. Generally, a witness who relies on the Fifth Amendment says, more or less, “I refuse to answer on the grounds that an answer may tend to

Continue reading...

Search Warrant at Mar-A-Lago

August 9, 2022

Search Warrant at Mar-A-Lago

B-Bye Donald J. Trump

Former Guy

The Federal Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago, Former Guy’s Palm Beach Palace, yesterday. Let the whining begin!

I expect that the FBI and those in charge at Main Justice obtained the search warrant because they believe Former Guy / others have committed serious crimes. This man deserves no more respect than anyone else when it comes to investigations of criminal conduct. That said, I am confident that the powers that be understand prosecutorial discretion. Yes, if evidence suggests a crime, authorities should investigate. However, reports of a roach in the White House would not and should not generate a criminal investigation of WH occupants for possession of marijuana.

Merrick Garland

Continue reading...

Justice Brett Kavanaugh

September 3, 2018

Justice Judge Brett Kavanaugh

justice brett kavanaugh

Brett Kavanaugh

Brett Kavanaugh

The Senate Judiciary Committee begins its hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Justice Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday, September 4. Here’s the schedule, not that anything about the process will affect the outcome.

Judge Kavanaugh sits presently on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He has served on that court for a dozen years. Prior to his appointment he did the private / public shuffle, working for Ken Starr on the Clinton Whitewater (Lewinski) case, the Bush II White House, and for Kirkland & Ellis.

Judge Kavanaugh meets the legal requirements for service on the Supreme Court. He’s a sentient being, and

Continue reading...

Judge Merrick Garland

March 16, 2016

Justice Antonin Scalia died on February 13, 2016. On March 16, 32 days later, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to replace him. Judge Garland is the Chief Judge of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He has been a judge on the DC Circuit since 1997.

Judge Garland is a highly distinguished jurist. He enjoys bipartisan support and affection, on his Court and in the United States Senate. In particular, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) like him very much. Here’s what Senator Hatch said on Friday, March 11: “[He] could easily name Merrick Garland, who is a fine man.” He also said, once, that there was no question about Judge Garland being

Continue reading...