# Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here (Guilty on all 34 counts, May 30, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 9, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953 "2023-03-09T22:53:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/221 "2023-03-21T00:01:11Z")
> **[Why a unanimous jury will never convict Trump, even if he’s guilty as sin](https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/why-a-jury-will-not-convict-trump-17849841.php)** > > Serious crimes require unanimous verdicts but there’s no way a prosecutor can seat a... In the opinion of the author, getting a unanimous guilty verdict for Trump would impossible. I know we’ve discussed here and there before, but I kind of agree. Although I’m not a lawyer, so I’m not sure how easy or hard it would be to make sure that everyone on the jury could be impartial, i.e., avoiding at least a diehard partisan Trumpist. However, it seems like getting 1 out of 12 members to be secretly in the “I will _never_ vote against Trump” seems hard. Any thoughts? Is Trump effectively immune from prosecution? If so, why do you think the NYC DA is pursuing it? They have to know that an acquittal or hung jury will embolden Trump further. Do you think this is a case of “we prosecute people who break the law, regardless of whether we think we can win”? But then what about all of Trump’s other crimes? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/222 "2023-03-21T00:05:34Z")
I don’t buy it. Impossible? No way. Maybe this case isn’t the strongest, and there’s no conviction here. (Fuck, there aren’t even charges yet.) But never impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/223 "2023-03-21T00:06:37Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > Although I’m not a lawyer, so I’m not sure how easy or hard it would be to make sure that everyone on the jury could be impartial, i.e., avoiding at least a diehard partisan Trumpist. I live in a bubble, so I don’t know how many die hard Trumpers are still die hard. Seems like they’re losing interesting, from my vantage point. Plus, sitting a jury with a majority of non-crazies tends to moderate the worst impulses of some people. I think one or two trump voters who are not full blown MAGA would convict without hesitation. Remember, many of the trumpers have not heard the evidence against him. One of the members of the Georgia Grand Jury stated something like “If the whole country could see the evidence we wouldn’t be do divided.” ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/224 "2023-03-21T00:09:16Z")
According to cohen the gentleman in question was never his lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/225 "2023-03-21T00:27:33Z")
I doubt a diehard Trumper, however many of those there even are in NYC, would even bother responding to a jury summons (remember; they don’t tell you what the trial is until you’re in the courtroom), let alone survive voir dire. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/226 "2023-03-21T00:32:01Z")
> **[Republicans demand Manhattan DA Bragg turn over docs related to Trump...](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republicans-demand-manhattan-da-bragg-turn-docs-related/story?id=97989381)** > > House Republicans are targeting the Manhattan District Attorney's office as it reportedly prepares to bring charges against former President Donald Trump. GOP does what the GOP does. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/227 "2023-03-21T01:14:29Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > GOP does what the GOP does. This cracks me up. > “You are reportedly about to engage in an unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial authority: the indictment of a former President of the United States and current declared candidate for that office,” the letter reads. There is absolutely **nothing** that protects “a former President of the United States and current declared candidate for that office”. Nothing. A person in that role has the same immunity from prosecution that I do. My assumption is that this grandstanding is purely because it’s a novelty. I believe that they’re hoping that they can trick people into thinking that just because something hasn’t been done before, that it isn’t allowed. The fact is that people have just done a better job of electing presidents before Trump. (Well, and after, at least so far.) ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/228 "2023-03-21T01:41:12Z")
Suppose for a minute there is an indictment and a trial. Even if there is a hung jury or an acquittal, the testimony will be public, unlike the grand jury. That alone may be enough to sour some potential Trump voters. While I doubt that is the ultimate goal of the DA, at least we will know the details of what the investigation turned up. The media will have field day if the case is strong one. Much would depend on the judge and skill of the DA and I guess, Trump’s lawyers. The whole “former President” thing isn’t a legal argument and ought not be allowed. Cases are _supposed_ to be decided on the evidence. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/229 "2023-03-21T01:42:50Z")
At the very least, an orange jumpsuit would make the Dumpster harder to see. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/230 "2023-03-21T01:56:28Z")
Who’s gonna tell him that Congress has no oversight or authority over a district attorney? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/231 "2023-03-21T02:12:50Z")
Certainly not members of Congress, according to recent news: > [@](#): > > As a possible indictment [looms over former President Donald Trump](https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164678316/trump-arrest-tuesday-manhattan-bragg), House Republicans are coming to his defense and arguing that Alvin Bragg — the New York prosecutor investigating alleged hush money paid by Trump to adult film actress Stormy Daniels — is politically motivated and his probe won’t stand up in court. > > House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, House Oversight Committee Chair Jim Comer, R-Ky., and House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., kicked off their own probe on Monday, sending Bragg [a letter](https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2023-03-20-jdj-bs-jc-to-bragg-re-trump-investigation.pdf) demanding documents, communications and testimony related to his investigation of the former president. > **[House GOP demands testimony and documents from New York prosecutor...](https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164691646/house-gop-trump-bragg)** > > House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other top Republicans argue DA Alvin Bragg's probe is politically motivated and won't stand up in court. Donald Trump loomed over a Republican retreat in Florida. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/232 "2023-03-21T02:15:39Z")
When does the judicial branch tell them to fuck off? In latin, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/233 "2023-03-21T02:24:51Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > tell them Tell who? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/234 "2023-03-21T02:25:52Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Tell who? House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, House Oversight Committee Chair Jim Comer, R-Ky., and House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/235 "2023-03-21T02:26:02Z")
Congress has no authority over the New York Manhattan DA’s office. Alvin Bragg can safely file this nonsense away and ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/236 "2023-03-21T02:27:04Z")
Sure, on Earth-One. But as 2016 and 2020 revealed, we’re not on Earth-One any more. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/237 "2023-03-21T02:30:59Z")
Well, no argument from me on that point! However, Congress has no law enforcement arm to act on their jackbooted arrest wishes except to appeal to the DOJ. I’m pretty sure DOJ isn’t going to help them out. It’s not Trump’s DOJ anymore. They are so far out of their area of oversight it’s not even funny. Well, it’s a little funny, but it’s also batshit nuts. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/238 "2023-03-21T03:05:25Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Plus, sitting a jury with a majority of non-crazies tends to moderate the worst impulses of some people. I think one or two trump voters who are not full blown MAGA would convict without hesitation. I envy you your bubble. I live in the Deep South, and the cognitive dissonance that the people around me wrap themselves in is truly astounding. They can explain and hand wave away just about anything negative they hear about any Republican, but Trump in particular. And they could turn a Democrat saving a baby and a litter of kittens from a burning building into kidnapping, beastiality, and being a Woke radical left climate change lunatic. You know the progression-- he never did any such thing, it’s a Democrat lie and a witch hunt, Deep State! Well, maybe he did _something_, but it’s perfectly fine, you’re just trying to make it _look_ bad. Well, it’s not great, but whatabout xxx, Hunter Biden, Deep State… Rinse, repeat. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/239 "2023-03-21T03:21:13Z")
They are threatening to defund his office. > **[GOP threatens to defund the prosecutor as Trump indictment looms](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/gop-threatens-defund-prosecutor-trump-indictment-looms-rcna75675)** > > In defense of the former president, Republicans apply pressure to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to get him to ignore alleged crimes. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/240 "2023-03-21T03:22:03Z")
We’ll see what happens. ‘Threaten’ may be as far as they are able to get. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=13)