Trump Is Not Winning in Court: Ex-U.S. Attorney Says Legal Proceedings Are Progressing Fairly
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As the legal proceedings against Donald Trump continue in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, presided over by Judge Tanya Chutkan, a former U.S. attorney has suggested that Trump is not on the path to successfully defending himself. In a recent interview with MSNBC host Katie Phang, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance discussed the slow but deliberate pace of the case and highlighted that Trump’s legal strategy may not work in his favor this time.
The case, brought by special counsel Jack Smith, centers on Trump’s alleged attempts to interfere with the 2020 election results. Vance argued that Judge Chutkan is handling the case appropriately by making filings from Smith public, despite Trump’s claims that the prosecution amounts to “election interference.”
Vance explained that keeping the details of the case hidden would be far more problematic, as it would deny voters essential information before they head to the polls. “I think that while there are legitimate criticisms that the Justice Department moves slowly in this regard, this case is now in front of the court,” Vance explained.
She acknowledged some procedural challenges, such as Trump’s right to appeal to the Supreme Court on issues of immunity, but emphasized the more pressing concern: Trump’s potential to influence the case if he regains power. “There is a unique concern here. Because Donald Trump, if he regains the White House, could, in fact, put an attorney general in place who would dismiss the prosecution against him,” Vance noted.
This possibility looms over the proceedings, but she encouraged the public to focus more on the current legal reality rather than hypothetical outcomes. “But, the reality is that we need to focus more on the reality of what is in front of Donald Trump right now, this prospect of prosecution, and less on the ways he might avoid it,” she said.
According to Vance, the narrative that “Trump always wins” is misleading, and the former president is not faring well in the federal courtroom in Washington, D.C. “Guess what? Trump is not winning in a federal courtroom in Washington, D.C. Instead, a judge is treating him fairly.”
Vance also pointed out that Judge Chutkan has ruled both in favor of and against Trump on various requests, which demonstrates the fairness of the proceedings. “This week she [Chutkan] ruled in his favor on some requests for additional discovery, but she also ruled against him on issues that any other criminal defendant would lose on,” Vance said.
She concluded by asserting that Jack Smith’s case would receive a fair trial, emphasizing the importance of the American people seeing justice done. “Jack Smith will get a fair trial. The American people will get a fair trial. Donald Trump will get a fair trial if this case is permitted to proceed.”
As the legal battle continues, Vance’s remarks highlight the importance of focusing on the process in front of Trump, rather than speculating on potential political maneuvers that could affect the outcome.
