# Trump's Defense Team Shaping Up **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 17, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579 "2020-01-17T18:44:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/1 "2020-01-17T18:44:24Z")
For those keeping score, what a murderer’s row we have in the new additions to Trump’s dream legal team for the upcoming Senate trial: - **Alan Dershowitz** , who luckily ‘kept his underwear on’ for all those massages with Jeffery Epstein. Did a heckuva job leading Epstein’s defense. - **Ken Starr** , who called White House window washers and a dentist in for questioning in the Clinton affair, now saying no new material witnesses should be allowed. Added bonus - Baylor rape coverup, and of course, attorney for Jeffery Epstein. - **Pamela Bondi** , infamous for being the Fla. AG who dismissed the case against the fraudulent Trump University, shortly after receiving 25k from Trump’s fraudulent charitable foundation. Buddy of Lev Parnas, because why not. - **Robert Ray** took over the various investigations of Clinton from Ken Starr. Arrested in 2006 for stalking a former companion. -A whole rash of lesser miscreants, all of whom seemingly needed to do SOMETHING reprehensible enough to make the cut. (Mostly copied from another message board.) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/2 "2020-01-17T19:36:54Z")
In Dersh’s favor, Epstein was never found guilty. So he’s got that going for him. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/3 "2020-01-17T19:49:56Z")
All they need is Lizzie Borden and the starting lineup of the 1975 Philadelphia Flyers… ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/4 "2020-01-17T21:09:54Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > All they need is Lizzie Borden and the starting lineup of the 1975 Philadelphia Flyers… Don’t forget Blackbeard. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/5 "2020-01-17T21:15:28Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > For those keeping score, what a murderer’s row we have in the new additions to Trump’s dream legal team for the upcoming Senate trial: > > - **Alan Dershowitz** , who luckily ‘kept his underwear on’ for all those massages with Jeffery Epstein. Did a heckuva job leading Epstein’s defense. > > - **Ken Starr** , who called White House window washers and a dentist in for questioning in the Clinton affair, now saying no new material witnesses should be allowed. Added bonus - Baylor rape coverup, and of course, attorney for Jeffery Epstein. > > - **Pamela Bondi** , infamous for being the Fla. AG who dismissed the case against the fraudulent Trump University, shortly after receiving 25k from Trump’s fraudulent charitable foundation. Buddy of Lev Parnas, because why not. > > - **Robert Ray** took over the various investigations of Clinton from Ken Starr. Arrested in 2006 for stalking a former companion. > > -A whole rash of lesser miscreants, all of whom seemingly needed to do SOMETHING reprehensible enough to make the cut. The crime syndicate is closing ranks, as expected. Seems like a reputation-laundering operation to me. Senate republicans abdicate their duty and cancel the impeachment, and these dirtbags are rehabilitated as defenders of justice or something. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/6 "2020-01-17T21:30:29Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > All they need is Lizzie Borden and the starting lineup of the 1975 Philadelphia Flyers… LOL! Dave the Hammer Schulz…all Trump needs. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/7 "2020-01-17T21:39:52Z")
There is always a past Tweet or words from Trump disparaging what he is doing now, and also the ones he approaches: > **[Trump in 1999: Ken Starr Is a 'Freak' | Law & Crime](https://lawandcrime.com/impeachment/trump-in-1999-ken-starr-is-a-freak-and-i-bet-hes-got-something-in-his-closet/)** > > Former Whitewater independent counsel Ken Starr is now a member of President Donald Trump's impeachment defense team, suggesting that the president holds his legal acumen and/or rhetorical skill in high regard. That certainly wasn't always the case,... > [@](#): > > According to the transcript, Trump was asked if he thought Clinton should have been impeached. He responded by hammering Starr: > > > [@](#): > > > > I think Ken Starr’s a lunatic. I really think that Ken Starr is a disaster. I hated the way the president handled it. He could have said, ‘Look, I don’t want to discuss it.’ I’ve seen politicians in New York that are scoundrels get away with that for years. ‘I don’t talk about my personal life.’ They’ve made a living off not talking about — he should have done that. Instead, he had to lie. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/8 "2020-01-18T00:00:05Z")
Trump really should hire OJ Simpson. He’d be worth millions as an example of a similarly innocent man. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/9 "2020-01-18T00:08:07Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Trump really should hire OJ Simpson. He’d be worth millions as an example of a similarly innocent man. Yes, and very much like OJ endlessly searching for The Real Killer on golf courses, Trump was tireless in his search for corruption in Ukraine. Great call! ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/10 "2020-01-18T00:25:11Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Yes, and very much like OJ endlessly searching for The Real Killer on golf courses, Trump was tireless in his search for corruption in Ukraine. > > Great call! He’s so concerned about corruption he wants to eliminate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. [Trump Tried to Kill Anti-Bribery Rule He Deemed ‘Unfair,’ New Book Alleges](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/business/economy/trump-bribery-law.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/11 "2020-01-18T01:30:34Z")
In 1999 Trump called Starr a freak and insane. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/12 "2020-01-18T01:38:54Z")
Gotta admit, the guy has got a wicked sense of humor. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/13 "2020-01-19T16:26:39Z")
“I’m not happy seeing Richard Nixon’s gang being tried by blacks and liberals in the District of Columbia.” - Alan Dershowtiz’s (Courier Post, New Jersey, November 21, 1974) ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/14 "2020-01-19T16:33:47Z")
“Based on the demographic criteria, the age of consent should be lowered. It certainly should not be as high as 17 or 16. Reasonable can disagree over whether it should be as low as 14. Fifteen would seem like an appropriate compromise.” Alan Dershowtiz (Los Angeles Times, May 7, 1997) ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/15 "2020-01-19T17:24:22Z")
What? Have we used up all of our ire that there isn’t a small portion available for the esteemed Jay Sekulo, of the ACLJ (aka **A** merican **C** enter for **L** ots of **J** esus)? > **[Trump lawyer's firm steered millions in donations to family members, files show](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/27/trump-lawyer-jay-sekulow-donations)** > > Documents obtained by the Guardian reveal Jay Sekulow approved plans to push people to give to his Christian nonprofit, which then paid big sums to his family > [@](#): > > Documents obtained by the Guardian show Sekulow that month approved plans to push poor and jobless people to donate money to his Christian nonprofit, which since 2000 has steered more than $60m to Sekulow, his family and their businesses. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/16 "2020-01-19T17:44:17Z")
So when a swamp is drained one can see all the truly horrible shit that has been feeding off of the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/17 "2020-01-19T18:35:55Z")
Kind of like Australia, all the cute animals are crispy critters, but the spiders that eat Volkswagens live in tunnels. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/18 "2020-01-20T00:00:25Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > He’s so concerned about corruption he wants to eliminate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. > > [Trump Tried to Kill Anti-Bribery Rule He Deemed ‘Unfair,’ New Book Alleges](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/business/economy/trump-bribery-law.html) The thing is, Trump’s fans would be amazed if told that their guy’s desire to make use of bribery has something to do with “corruption.” From all they’ve been told, “corruption” is defined as ‘_bad stuff that libruls and Democrats do to cause damage to the glorious supremacy of the White Man._’ > [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > “Based on the demographic criteria, the age of consent should be lowered. It certainly should not be as high as 17 or 16. Reasonable can disagree over whether it should be as low as 14. Fifteen would seem like an appropriate compromise.” Alan Dershowtiz (Los Angeles Times, May 7, 1997) I’m sure Dershowitiz had no _personal_ stake in seeing such a change enacted. None whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/19 "2020-01-21T08:16:06Z")
Wasn’t is so last week that Trump was going to appoint the top tier House clowns (Jordan, Meadows, Ratcliffe, et al) to be on his impeachment team? And then, after the slightly-less-deranged Republican senators suggested otherwise, Trump backed off on that hair-brained idea? (Or is it hare-brained?)(\*) So now, looks like Trump is appointing said clowns to his team after all – although, they will not actually speak at the trial before the senators. They will advise the president behind the scenes. Here is Raw Story: [Fox News announces Trump added a bunch of far-right Republicans to his impeachment team](https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/fox-news-announces-trump-added-a-bunch-of-far-right-republicans-to-his-impeachment-team/), Jan. 20, 2020. (Unfortunately, this story does not include a link to the source Fox story, and I can’t find it myself.) > [@](#): > > The legal team for the White House just got a lot bigger, Fox News reported Monday. > > The network announced Trump has added Representatives Jim Jordan (R-OH), Doug Collins (R-GA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Mark Meadows (R-NC), John Ratcliffe (R-TX), Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY). > > The members of Congress will reportedly be “advisors” to the legal team and will not be speaking on the floor of the Senate. Apparently this story is all over the right-wing news. Here’s Breitbart: [White House Announces All-Star Impeachment Team, Includes Meadows, Jordan, and Ratcliffe](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/01/20/trump-impeachment-team-includes-meadows-jordan-ratcliffe/), Jan. 20, 2020. > [@](#): > > The White House on Monday announced the line-up of House lawmakers who will represent President Donald Trump at the Senate impeachment trial. > > The members are: Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Mark Meadows (R-NC), John Ratcliffe (R-TX), Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Doug Collins (R-GA), Mike Johnson (R-LA), and Debbie Lesko (R-AZ). > > “Throughout this process, these Members of Congress have provided guidance to the White House team, which was prohibited from participating in the proceedings concocted by Democrats in the House of Representatives,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. “The President looks forward to their continued participation and is confident that the Members will help expeditiously end this brazen political vendetta on behalf of the American people.” (\*) I think it’s hair-brained, as if to suggest that one has hair, not hare, where one’s brains belong. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-defense-team-shaping-up/846579/20 "2020-01-27T21:13:24Z")
Does any of it matter? The son of a bitch is going to get away with everything – just like h always has.