Where Things Stand: Exit Jack Smith

Originally published at: Where Things Stand: Exit Jack Smith - TPM – Talking Points Memo

Special Counsel Jack Smith is reportedly in talks with officials at the Department of Justice to “wind down” his two prosecutions of President-elect Donald Trump; one over January 6, and the other over his retention of classified documents from his first term. At issue, per NBC, is the long-standing DOJ policy we became so familiar…

Whether we like it or not, Trump winning the election is the ultimate trial by jury. The jury elected him to be President. End the prosecution, write the report, release as much evidence as practical (what kind of documents exactly was Trump storing at MAL, and why?), and consider throwing a pardon on top.

Stark and brutal but that’s the reality folks.

6 Likes

This story is not having a Hollywood ending. It’s more like a Japanese noir movie, where they don’t care if the bad guys win.

I recommend this movie.

8 Likes

The SCOTUS gave Trump the get-out-of-jail-free card so that plus DOJ policy not to prosecute a sitting POTUS makes Smith’s job moot I suppose but it still feels very strange that a civilian, ex-POTUS or not, can commit several felonious security violations and walk away. Just say’n

28 Likes

His is not walking away, he is walking into the WH and given a free hand to commit more crimes.

18 Likes

Smith’s submitting a report is not necessarily an empty gesture. It depends on what, under DOJ policy, he can put into the report that he hasn’t already made public. Remember, he knows that Trump was using a burner phone on J6. There’s something more to say about that. And somebody over there must know what happened to all the stuff taken from Epstein’s safe, although that’s not in Smith’s bailiwick.

And I doubt that Smith is someone who fears reprisals. As for Graham’s wanting Smith to compensate the government, well, fuck you, Lindsay; you’re the worst of all the sycophants. I hope that John McCain gets a brief furlough to the lawless lawyers’ circle of hell so he can tell you exactly what he thinks of you before he lights the eternally burning pyre.

21 Likes

I suppose there are a few people in government who legitimately fear for their lives now that Trump is returning to power.

I don’t blame Smith for packing it in.

8 Likes

His career as a Federal prosecutor is over, one way or another. I commend him for his courage and service and pray he finds safety before Trump’s inauguration.

26 Likes

And that’s “very strange” in the sense of deeply corrosive to the rule of law, of course.

8 Likes

fuck that. keep moving froward. make trump or whatever cronie he puts in can him with two active prosecutions underway.

we have to start fighting, for real. being the good custodians of the process, the norms, and decorum IS NOT WORKING.

10 Likes

To call Lindsey Graham a pitiful bootlicking worm would be a great insult to annelids everywhere.

24 Likes

But I’m sure he has learned his lesson.
Right, Senator Collins?

24 Likes

We just voted to end democracy and the rule of law, but the job isn’t finished until the paperwork is done.

22 Likes

There are almost three months left in President Biden’s term. Are there any guardrails he can instate or actions he can take with his unlimited immunity? There must be something that this administration and Democratic senate can do to dilute the poison the dotardians have promised. Anyone? Beuller?

11 Likes

Back to the Hague, if they’ll have him?

5 Likes

I will wait for Jack Smith’s final report. I hope I can get a hard copy

11 Likes

What are the downsides to Joe stepping down tomorrow and letting Harris be sworn in? Establishing the first black, woman president. Bitter offerings but it would be precedent. They can argue over the VP for two months, is that a big deal?

7 Likes

Besides insulting?  ; - )

5 Likes

How?

1 Like

I give the fuck up.

6 Likes