# Trump indicted **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 30, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904 "2023-03-30T22:56:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/452 "2023-04-04T01:32:40Z")
[Trump taps white-collar attorney to helm indictment defense](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/03/trump-todd-blanche-indictment-attorney-00090157#:~:text=Former%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20has,indictment%20of%20the%20former%20president) > [@](#): > > In his resignation email, Blanche said he was unable to take Trump as a client while remaining at Cadwalader, New York City’s oldest law firm and one of its most elite. “Obviously, doing this as a partner at Cadwalader was not an option, so I have had to make the difficult choice to leave the firm.” I’m afraid of the answer to this, but why it is obvious that Blanche has to leave his law firm in order to represent an unpopular client? If it is indeed because the defendant is extremely unpopular, that seems to me a bigger problem than a few defendents being above the law. When John Adams agreed to represent British soldiers accused of perpertrating the Boston Massacre, did his have to leave his law firm? Maybe he was wise enough to be a solo practioner. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/453 "2023-04-04T01:37:23Z")
Because it’s a business and they can decide which clients they want to take on. The partners all get to vote. Taking on Trump would probably lose them a lot of clients up to the point of destroying the business. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/454 "2023-04-04T01:37:29Z")
Keep your eye on how his career proceeds henceforth. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2023, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/455 "2023-04-04T02:06:48Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > wouldn’t result in jail time for a first conviction. What about the 2nd through 34th conviction? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/456 "2023-04-04T02:11:02Z")
The article said that even if he was found guilty on all 34, since he hadn’t been convicted prior to this set of charges, the standard thing would be no jail time. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/457 "2023-04-04T02:26:27Z")
Why did Michael Cohen go to jail? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/458 "2023-04-04T02:27:31Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Taking on Trump would probably lose them a lot of clients up to the point of destroying the business. I think the principle that you don’t get a bad lawyer because you are unpopular is fundamental in a free society (or even a very partially free one, such as Massachusetts under British colonialism). So, if unpopoular-defenant is the obvious reason Blanche left, the firm’s remaining employees – I mean the high paid ones who should be able to afford it – should quit as well. I realize that others think not having certain people above the law is more fundamental. I may not have a rational argument for thinking the above the law thing is some combination of inevitable and unimportant. I care about unjust convictions far more than unjust acquittals. O.J. getting off didn’t bother me either – catching murderers is important, but not important enough have possible innocents convicted. Israel is so different from the U.S., but I wonder if the [Bibi Natanyahu precedent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Benjamin_Netanyahu) has any relevance for the U.S. Moderates, unwilling to serve with a man under indictment, are no longer in Israel’s governemnt, pushing it further right. And, in the end, Bibi, who I do suspect is seriously guilty, as shown by living above his legitimate income, will probably wind up sentenced to community service. Such a conviction will not have been worth it. We’ll see if Trump even gets sentenced to community service, let alone jail time. Doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/459 "2023-04-04T02:51:25Z")
Donald Trump is entitled to a vigorous defense, and private law firms are entitled to choose their clients. There is absolutely no friction here. I mean, c’mon, it’s not like he can’t get a lawyer because he’s _unpopular_. He’s not a weird kid standing against the wall at the school dance. He can’t get a lawyer because he refuses to pay his bills, because he forces his representation into untenable positions, because he **lies to them** about what he has and hasn’t done, because he’s incredibly likely to turn around and attack his allies/employees/representation the moment he thinks it’s a ‘powerful’ move. He can’t get a decent lawyer because he’s a shit client. The fact that he’s absolute poison to everyone who associates with him is almost secondary. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I think the principle that you don’t get a bad lawyer because you are unpopular is fundamental in a free society For the most part, the defendants in this country who can’t get good representation are poor people who are forced to rely on chronically understaffed public defender offices. Making a stand for the integrity of the system because the treasonous traitorous treacherous billionaire is having trouble keeping his massive legal team staffed with top talent is a little skewed. The system is absolutely fucked up, but not to Trump’s detriment. Not to the detriment of any rich white guy in America. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > When John Adams agreed to represent British soldiers accused of perpertrating the Boston Massacre, did his have to leave his law firm? I’m fairly certain that nobody in colonial Massachusetts was a member of a law firm, but I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/460 "2023-04-04T02:57:23Z")
Nobody is really surprised about this. > **[Melania Trump isn't going to New York for husband's first court appearance](https://www.rawstory.com/melania-trump-news-2659727561/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)** > > Melania Trump did not travel with her husband to New York to face criminal charges.Donald Trump left Mar-a-Lago on Monday to fly to New York City for a court appearance in Manhattan on charges related to his hush money payment to porn actress Stormy... ---
**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:** [April 4, 2023, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/461 "2023-04-04T04:07:28Z")
> **[Melania Trump Seen Wearing “I Don’t Care” Jacket](https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/melania-trump-seen-wearing-i-dont-care-jacket)** > > Mrs. Trump offered no explanation for donning the garment other than that she “was really in the mood to wear it tonight.” ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/462 "2023-04-04T04:14:39Z")
I’m more surprised to learn Melania is actually living in Mar-etc. I somehow got the impression she was already in New York. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2023, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/463 "2023-04-04T04:15:31Z")
You know this is Borowitz, right? Satire? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/464 "2023-04-04T04:15:37Z")
It’s Borowitz. Satire. ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/465 "2023-04-04T04:38:41Z")
I was referring to @Railer13 's link to the Raw Story link. @Joey_P has the link to the Borowitz thing. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/466 "2023-04-04T05:30:28Z")
The lesson here, I guess, is that you might as well commit lots of crimes if the level of (non) punishment will be the same. What absolute nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/467 "2023-04-04T09:36:02Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > I’m fairly certain that nobody in colonial Massachusetts was a member of a law firm, but I could be wrong. I beg to differ. > I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress! –John Adams [Cite](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068156/reference/) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/468 "2023-04-04T10:34:34Z")
That’s a great quote, but John Adams said it in 1969 - long after he’d died. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2023, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/469 "2023-04-04T11:05:45Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > You know this is Borowitz, right? > > Satire? > [@ekedolphin](#): > > It’s Borowitz. Satire. > [@tripthicket](#): > > I was referring to @Railer13 's link to the Raw Story link. @Joey_P has the link to the Borowitz thing. Didn’t know. It’s not a name I’m familiar with. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/470 "2023-04-04T11:55:52Z")
This CNN video about Trump’s legal team, past and present, is hilarious! The short version is that it’s rife with incredible infighting and lawsuits and lawyers needing their own lawyers; in a nutshell, they are a disreputable pack of bums, and at least two of them have done prison time. I also greatly enjoyed the fact that Tacopina declared himself the lead attorney in this case, and then out of the blue Trump hires Todd Blanche who declares that no, _ **he** _ is the lead attorney, whereupon Tacopina declares that there is no lead attorney and they’re all one big happy family. The whole sordid mess is remarkably reminiscent of Trump’s sordid presidency. > **['You can't make this up': The dramatic history within Trump's legal team |...](https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/04/04/trump-legal-team-drama-explained-miller-ac360-vpx.cnn)** > > CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller explains the complicated history between the legal team fighting Trump's indictment. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-indicted/981904/471 "2023-04-04T13:19:13Z")
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