# 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:** 53
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 7:30pm 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-30-2024/980953/1041 "2024-03-26T19:30:32Z")
In a fair world where everyone received equal treatment under the law, this would be a perfectly valid point. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 7:33pm 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-30-2024/980953/1042 "2024-03-26T19:33:49Z")
Then it’s not because it’s a white collar crime, it because it’s the mighty Trump, the saintly hero deserving of all deference. Which may be how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 7:50pm 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-30-2024/980953/1043 "2024-03-26T19:50:31Z")
trump, Gag Order… This is gonna be great! 😆 Will it be days, hours or minutes? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 8:00pm 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-30-2024/980953/1044 "2024-03-26T20:00:47Z")
The Gag Order could actually hurt the Truth Social (/DJT/TMTG/DWAC) stock (/SPAC/IPO)! If he can’t rant in archetypal stochastic terrorism fashion, what _will_ he have to say?? :rolleyes: Hard to imagine he doesn’t appeal this one … too. As I’m fond of saying, when you’re spending other people’s money on litigation the way he is, you can effectively only either win or tie. Most of us would have something profound to lose – our life’s savings. Even if the stakes were impossibly high, there’s a point beyond which we simply couldn’t keep going. Not Trump. Bless him … and **[his $59.99 Bibles](https://apnews.com/article/trump-god-bless-usa-bible-greenwood-2713fda3efdfa297d0f024efb1ca3003)**. _How many_ shall I order today … ---
**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 26, 2024, 8:02pm 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-30-2024/980953/1045 "2024-03-26T20:02:18Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > If he can’t rant in archetypal stochastic terrorism fashion, what _will_ he have to say?? Perhaps he’ll “win” another golf tournament ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 8:02pm 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-30-2024/980953/1046 "2024-03-26T20:02:39Z")
This judge is making it clear that he doesn’t give a flying fuck who the defendant thinks he is; he’s a defendant, and he’s going to trial because he didn’t take a plea. That’s what defendants do. And, when defendants get convicted, the bailiffs often take them into custody, and judges often sentence them to jail. Thats what bailiffs and judges do. The Justice system moves slowly, but it does move. And when it’s rumbling, it does not stop. For nobody. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 8:07pm 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-30-2024/980953/1047 "2024-03-26T20:07:11Z")
Why was there such reluctance to do so (issue gag orders) in other trials? This seems like common sense, but in other courtrooms it was treated like a real hand grenade. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 8:07pm 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-30-2024/980953/1048 "2024-03-26T20:07:19Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Bless him … and **[his $59.99 Bibles](https://apnews.com/article/trump-god-bless-usa-bible-greenwood-2713fda3efdfa297d0f024efb1ca3003)**. > > _How many_ shall I order today … The Gideons (yep, the same folks that put Bibles in hotel rooms) will give you one for free. ---
**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 26, 2024, 8:09pm 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-30-2024/980953/1049 "2024-03-26T20:09:33Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > The Gideons (yep, the same folks that put Bibles in hotel rooms) will give you one for free Will their copy have the Pledge of Allegiance included? Or the words to God Bless the USA? We’re getting a lot for $59.95. The words of Jesus are in **Red.** ---
**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 26, 2024, 8:11pm 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-30-2024/980953/1050 "2024-03-26T20:11:30Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Why was there such reluctance to do so (issue gag orders) in other trials? Just a WAG, but I’d say they might be seeing what happened when Trump **wasn’t** given a gag order and are taking precautions. In the previous trials they hadn’t yet seen the consequences of letting him say anything he wants. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 8:18pm 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-30-2024/980953/1051 "2024-03-26T20:18:01Z")
Maybe. But this guy is on the record saying he has no requirement to wait for some violence to occur, he’s putting a stop to it now. Why not the other guys? I’m picturing a bunch of judges on a split screen saying in unison, “Wait, you can do that?” 😀 ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 8:19pm 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-30-2024/980953/1052 "2024-03-26T20:19:03Z")
And the Response – delivered by Judge Aileen Cannon – would be a terse, “Why would you even _need_ to?” ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 8:22pm 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-30-2024/980953/1053 "2024-03-26T20:22:02Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > The words of Jesus are in **Red.** How nice of them to make those words easier to skip. ---
**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 26, 2024, 8:39pm 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-30-2024/980953/1054 "2024-03-26T20:39:06Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Why was there such reluctance to do so (issue gag orders) in other trials? This seems like common sense, but in other courtrooms it was treated like a real hand grenade. IMHO: There are legitimate issues of balancing the rights of an individual’s free speech against protecting the integrity of a trial that would _only_ arise in a situation where a hugely public figure with a massive platform to disseminate his views, say, running for president, was simultaneously being tried in a criminal court. Assuming legal precedent is still a thing – and in general, I believe it is except when this SCOTUS stupidly decides that it isn’t – getting this balance right is critically important. So the courts with these matters before them tread slowly and carefully. They also have to be mindful that this SCOTUS will take every opportunity to erode norms if they feel it suits their agenda, so they must craft their gag orders in such a way that they don’t provide the SCOTUS a chance to do that, either. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 9:46pm 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-30-2024/980953/1055 "2024-03-26T21:46:23Z")
Makes sense, I guess. It just seems as if any judge likely to get a Trump trial would have boilerplate at the ready, something narrowly tailored: “Thou shalt not make antagonistic, jury-polluting public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, or courtroom staff.” I lack the imagination to conjure up what legitimate First Amendment right outweighs this. You can say the proceedings are corrupt, etc. But you can’t put someone’s life in danger. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 10:10pm 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-30-2024/980953/1056 "2024-03-26T22:10:25Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > I lack the imagination to conjure up what legitimate First Amendment right outweighs this. You can say the proceedings are corrupt, etc. But you can’t put someone’s life in danger. Something like what Engoron did. Ridicule the process all you want, but you can’t target specific people (even by inference) involved in the case. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 4:37am 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-30-2024/980953/1057 "2024-03-27T04:37:04Z")
Perhaps the difference on the gag orders is that the previous trials (Carroll and fraud) were civil actions, whereas this one is criminal? IANAL and don’t know if that makes a difference. Oh, and there wasn’t a jury in the two civil suits, right? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 6:45am 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-30-2024/980953/1058 "2024-03-27T06:45:35Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > It just seems as if any judge likely to get a Trump trial would have boilerplate at the ready, something narrowly tailored: “Thou shalt not make antagonistic, jury-polluting public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, or courtroom staff.” From the order: > **[Judge issues gag order barring Donald Trump from commenting on witnesses,...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-issues-gag-order-barring-185840907.html)** > > A New York judge Tuesday issued a gag order barring Donald Trump from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial, citing the former president's history of “threatening,... > [@](#): > > The gag order bars Trump from either making or directing other people to make public statements on his behalf about potential witnesses and jurors in the hush-money trial. It also prohibits any statements meant to interfere with or harass the court’s staff, prosecution team **or their families.** Bolding mine. An important addition, because Trump has proven there is no limit to his abusive behavior. ---
**Author:** ![ColdBrew50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@ColdBrew50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdBrew50)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 8:57am 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-30-2024/980953/1059 "2024-03-27T08:57:28Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > An important addition, because Trump has proven there is no limit to his abusive behavior. Egad. “Good looking family you got there, juror number 7 at 555-1212. You like to continue to be a family man? That’s what I thought. In about ninety seconds you cease to become a family man. Sammy the Bull can vouch for me. Who you got, maybe girl in junior high school, or younger, wants to be a beauty queen? I can make that happen, or it can all go away” Disgusting filth. This specimen deserves to disappear. Out in the sticks where I grew up, there was lots of big talk about taking drug dealers to a nearest tree and pummelling the shit out of them. Nothing ever came of it IRL, but take a molester, a sexual predator who preys upon the young, a thief, and a career politician to boot, what’s the big whoop? Have peoples’ balls dropped off all of a sudden? ---
**Author:** ![ColdBrew50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@ColdBrew50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdBrew50)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 9:24am 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-30-2024/980953/1060 "2024-03-27T09:24:14Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > There are legitimate issues of balancing the rights of an individual’s free speech against protecting the integrity of a trial that would _only_ arise in a situation where a hugely public figure with a massive platform to disseminate his views, say, running for president, was simultaneously being tried in a criminal court. That’s cute, but recall this is some random private citizen who has decided to run for county dogcatcher, or potus, probably as a hobby or a joke. Several times now, granted, but, this is not an actual person any more than I am, when it comes to any privilege or “respect.” As far as the law is concerned. He’s a transient who got picked up by the side of the road and the police got a hit when they ran his name. [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=52) [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=54)