EXACTLY like I have been saying for WEEKS, there was NO "conflict". It was an absurd smear campaign by Trump World, meant to distract and INTIMIDATE anyone who has the temerity to try and bring Trump to much deserved justice.
Judge McAfee ruled the ONLY way he could, on the facts, and the ONLY pertinent issue on the table....the preposterous attempt to get Willis disqualified over a fake "conflict"
In many ways. Trump World was successful. They damaged Willis' and Wade's reputation with baseless smears, innuendo, speculation and gossip. Sending a strong message of INTIMIDATION to ANYONE who dares challenge the serial CRIMINAL Donald Trump.
McAfee, being a very conservative Republican, (don't try the canard that GA judge elections are "non-partisan"...McAfee is a former member of the conservative Federalist Society who was an active Republican in law school) showed both his right wing bona-fides and him being intimidated to do what other right wing conservatives have done in several instances that helped TRUMP.
James Comey, (conservative Republican) when there was no evidence of anything even close to anything illegal in the Hillary Clinton email witch hunt, still felt the need to go WAY beyond ethical practices of the FBI and smeared Hillary with gratuitous baloney that the FBI is supposed to NEVER do after an investigation that results in no charges.
He then went to give Trump a MASSIVE boost just days before the 2016 election by needlessly bringing the lame "but, her emails" investigation into the public sphere while COVERING UP the very real investigation that the same FBI was conducting (much more serious than the specious "but, her emails" baloney) over Trump's OBVIOUS and BLATANT collusion with Russia.
Bill Barr, after he got his hands on the Mueller report, but before he released it to the pubic, that was FULL of devastating detail of Trump OBVIOUS collusion with Russia and multiple plainly grossly illegal acts of obstruction of Justice, went public and LIED with the high profile MISREPRESENTATION of what the investigation actually revealed.
Just a short time ago Robert Hur (another conservative Republican...sensing a pattern here???) after finding no evidence of President Biden purposely retaining secret documents, which Trump did far, FAR worse, again, like James Comey decided to go pubic, outside of Justice department guidelines and rules, and SMEARED Joe Biden with gratuitous misleading (read: FALSE) attacks on President Biden's mental acuity. No, Biden did NOT show usual lapses in memory any more than anyone would do trying to recall events from years ago as we now know virtue of the transcript being released.
Now, Judge McAfee (another conservative Republican...what else) is following the same script or, after finding NO BASIS for the issue at hand (false accusations of "conflict"...the ONLY pertinent issue) he gives his best effort to further smear Willis, that helps TRUMP!!!
Trump World is really good at intimidation and instilling fear like any Mafia Boss and Mafia Mob..
Not sure what you think McAfee did wrong. This week he could have dismissed the entire indictment, but he dismissed only a few counts with leave to re-plead . He also could have , in effect, killed the case by disqualifying Willis. He didn’t . This issue will have zero effect on the trial itself. The only risk is if McAfee gives the defendants a certificate for interlocutory appeal. That might muck things up .
I’m not sure why you are “Not sure what you think McAfee did wrong.”. I presented a rather detailed explanation.
No, the issue that I commented on before Judge McAfee was NOT about dismissing any of the indictments. It was the vicious false attack of a "conflict"
There was NO CONFLICT of any way, shape or form. The defense floated this absurd idea that the REASON that Willis hired Wade was to provide him with money to be used to her benefit.
It’s preposterous on its face. It should have been laughed out of the courtroom. A more experienced judge (not from the Federalist Society or a conservative Republican) probably would have.
Ms. Merchant's absurd premise was laid base in a hearing of the GA legislature.
I am not addressing his limited dismissal of some of the indictments. That was appropriate. Yes, he could have “in effect, killed the case by disqualifying Willis.” but that would be totally outside any legal or common sense or justification.
It is silly to give him credit for NOT doing something that would be opposite of any legal integrity.
That’s like giving kudos to someone who is in a store and does not steal anything….with the silly idea that ‘he could have stole that item but did not.’
What I am faulting him with is the after deciding (the ONLY way he could if he was following the law and plain common sense) is further smearing Willis in gratuitous and unnecessary way.
What he did was give credence to Trump World's intimidation and rat f*cking of Fani Willis.
I have a different view. Recall that McAfee was not inclined to have a hearing until evidence surfaced suggesting that Willis had taken trips paid for by Wade with money from the case .At that point, he had no real choice . The rebuttal of that claim surfaced only at the hearing with the testimony she paid in cash. You paint Willis as a victim. She is a very good DA but used bad judgment here. Wade was under qualified and hiring him suspect. Starting a relationship with him while the case was pending was bad judgment. McAfee did a credible job IMO. In any event, I repeat that this episode should not matter unless he grants a certificate of appeal.
You are entitled to a "different view". Reality tells a different story.
Several other lawyers were approached with the job before Wade accepted, but would not do so because they feared for their and their families lives. That's what happens when you go against the Trump Mob.
The Washington Post published a detailed story of how this whole thing came about.
"How a sleuth defense attorney and a disgruntled law partner damaged the Trump Georgia case"
It was a classic rat f*cking effort as Merchant was Mike Roman lawyer, who was a well know "oppo research" operative, "digging up dirt on political rivals", and had birth from (as the Wa Po states) a "disgruntled law partner"..."angry about how Wade had treated his estranged wife."
The goal by Merchant, Roman and Trump World was intimidate Willis and every other person who has the temerity to challenge Donald Trump.
Roman was offered a very favorable plea deal "He could plead guilty to a single misdemeanor charge and a $5,000 fine in exchange for his cooperation, Merchant said."
Taking that sweet deal would prevent Roman from accomplished the goal of what rat f*uckers do.
This is Mafia type intimidation and smear job. It's SO obvious.
Sorry, but by any measure Wade was a suspect hire. He never tried a criminal case as a prosecutor and never tried a RICO case. Yes, Willis approached a couple of other people, but having practice law in Atlanta for 30 years, I know there are scores of qualified lawyers who weren't asked. Willis should have known to be above reproach in bringing perhaps the most important case in history, and she should have known the defense lawyers would look for any issue to derail the case. Yes, Trump is terrible and his lawyers play rough. That's also something Willis should have known. That is reality. To say Willis is utterly without fault in this situation is not objective or credible.
But that does not excuse or defend the Mafia Mob smear job that Trump World inflicted meant to destroy and intimidate sending a message to anyone who has the temerity to challenge the Big Boss.
Hey Chris, it may or may not be a big mess in Georgia. I know many of the lawyers involved. I strongly doubt losing Wade will slow them down or hurt the case. He was always a questionable hire . And the pundits who say the case will lose credibility b/c of this issue are off base. A jury will not care about this issue; many will not know about it. There is no automatic right of appeal. The trial court judge would need to give them a certificate to appeal. If he doesn't , I don't see this issue as necessarily slowing down the case. But the fact so many are indicted has always meant getting the case to a trial in a timely fashion was a risky bet. We will see.
I've been critical of praise for Pence for his actions on Jan. 6, since it reminded me of the Chris Rock bit about people wanting credit for stuff they supposed to do (whatchu want a cookie?) but I think he deserves a ton of credit for this one.
Seeing one Republican after another bend the knee is depressing so kudos to Pence for sticking to his guns and doing the right thing. Would it be nice if he said he was voting for Biden? Of course, but we know that isn't happening.
So credit to him for being willing to stand alone.
I wonder when Republicans say they won't endorse Trump but won't vote for Biden, what is their rationale? Is Biden really THAT horrible, in their opinion? I don't get it.
Judge McAfee should have stopped at saying that there was no conflict of interest. Ms.Willis’ personal behavior, if it does not affect the case, did not require any comments from the judge. Whether her personal choices are “bad” or “good” is not up for interpretation from a white, male,federalist society member.
I don't think it's right to attack the Judge based on his identity. This Judge is an R , but he has done a solid job. He also issued an order this week denying most of Defendants' arguments to dismiss the case. He could have killed the case by removing Willis. As far as his comments re Willis, there was an issue beyond whether there was a technical "conflict of interest." A lawyer can be removed when there is an appearance of impropriety. His comments re Willis' behavior were directly relevant to that issue. I hate Trump with unsurpassed passion, but any objective observer should acknowledge that hiring Wade was a questionable decision given his thin resume of relevant experience and friendship with Willis. Their joint decision to start a relationship after the hire was plain bad judgment. Let's hope the case proceeds and succeeds notwithstanding that issue.
The judge needed only to rule on whether there was a conflict of interest, and he ruled that there was not. His comments on Ms Willis’ “choices” were unnecessary and demeaning. If McAfee had been anyone other than a white, male, member of the federalist society, he would have been much more circumspect in his comments.
As pointed out in my last reply to you, you are not correct about the scope of the issues presented. I also take issue with basing a critique on his identity.
Mike Pence, once in a while, does something of which I approve. But only once in a while. In our home we will never forget that for four years Mike Pence stood next to TFG and gazed at him with adoring eyes. Indeed, the only times someone gazed more adoringly at a POTUS was all those times over all of those years when Nancy gazed with unabashed adoration at Ronnie. I'm glad Mike Pence has finally come to his senses, such as they are.
Trumps ability to escape the judgment that he so richly deserves makes it is very hard to believe he is not using some type of leverage against his accusers. When one considers the number of formerly normal folks who have turned into impossibly nauseating Trump sycophants that premise is hammered home. Hopefully, the ultimate authority will have better luck sending TFG to the fate he has spent his sordid life earning.
I have read the whole opinion. I practiced law in Georgia for over 30 years and well-understand the issues. I respect Willis and a lot of her work as DA, including her bravery in bringing this case. But I view the facts objectively. You keep saying all he had to rule on was a technical conflict of interest. But that's not the law. The issue of whether there was an appearance of impropriety was squarely presented, and his comments re Willis were directly relevant to that issue. You attack him b/c he's white and a former member of the Federalist Society . But I assess his overall performance. So far, it's been even handed. Just this week, he had the opportunity to kill the case by (a) dismissing the indictment and/or (b) disqualifying Willis's office. He did neither, and the latter was certainly a possibility.
I think that his overall performance in the case has been fine..in this case, he went further than he needed to and wouldn’t have if Willis were not a black woman. Because he is a white male federalist society member, it doesn’t smell right to me. You may not agree. This is America, hurrah for reasonable discourse.
Racism is a pernicious and persistent problem in America . It should be called out when evidence exists. But the mere fact that a white Judge is critical of an African American DA is not such evidence. Thanks for the exchange.
So, Pence, Trump's willing flunky for four years, finally grew a pair and won't endorse him. Yawn. Does anybody in MAGAland give a hairy rat's ass about Mike Pence? There's something weird about that dude. I wouldn't be surprised if he wore Mother's silk underwear with high heels around the house or was into some kinky sex shit. Super creepy. Bye Felicia.
As for Fani...hope the guy was a good lay at least. She showed unbelievable bad judgment. Now Don slithers out of that one, too, for now. SMH🤦🏻♀️
Former Pres. Trump truly is “Teflon Don.” Every time I think they have him dead to rights, some crazy oddball thing happens and he seems to get by unscathed.
No surprising you will hit hard DA Willis instead of the indicted former president. When you write an opinion on him this endorsement still popping up:
“I do believe that there are enough checks and balances in place — Congress, Supreme Court etc. — that will keep Trump from going full-dictator — even if he wanted to”
One could argue that those bodies (in particular Congress) did keep former Pres. Trump from overturning the election. Certainly they were stressed, but they didn’t break.
What more evidence does anyone need to know that Trump is not fit to be the President again, when Mike Pence who worked side by side him for 4 years said he could not in good conscience endorse him(Trump). Wow!!
I have been 100% vindicated.
EXACTLY like I have been saying for WEEKS, there was NO "conflict". It was an absurd smear campaign by Trump World, meant to distract and INTIMIDATE anyone who has the temerity to try and bring Trump to much deserved justice.
Judge McAfee ruled the ONLY way he could, on the facts, and the ONLY pertinent issue on the table....the preposterous attempt to get Willis disqualified over a fake "conflict"
In many ways. Trump World was successful. They damaged Willis' and Wade's reputation with baseless smears, innuendo, speculation and gossip. Sending a strong message of INTIMIDATION to ANYONE who dares challenge the serial CRIMINAL Donald Trump.
McAfee, being a very conservative Republican, (don't try the canard that GA judge elections are "non-partisan"...McAfee is a former member of the conservative Federalist Society who was an active Republican in law school) showed both his right wing bona-fides and him being intimidated to do what other right wing conservatives have done in several instances that helped TRUMP.
James Comey, (conservative Republican) when there was no evidence of anything even close to anything illegal in the Hillary Clinton email witch hunt, still felt the need to go WAY beyond ethical practices of the FBI and smeared Hillary with gratuitous baloney that the FBI is supposed to NEVER do after an investigation that results in no charges.
He then went to give Trump a MASSIVE boost just days before the 2016 election by needlessly bringing the lame "but, her emails" investigation into the public sphere while COVERING UP the very real investigation that the same FBI was conducting (much more serious than the specious "but, her emails" baloney) over Trump's OBVIOUS and BLATANT collusion with Russia.
Bill Barr, after he got his hands on the Mueller report, but before he released it to the pubic, that was FULL of devastating detail of Trump OBVIOUS collusion with Russia and multiple plainly grossly illegal acts of obstruction of Justice, went public and LIED with the high profile MISREPRESENTATION of what the investigation actually revealed.
Just a short time ago Robert Hur (another conservative Republican...sensing a pattern here???) after finding no evidence of President Biden purposely retaining secret documents, which Trump did far, FAR worse, again, like James Comey decided to go pubic, outside of Justice department guidelines and rules, and SMEARED Joe Biden with gratuitous misleading (read: FALSE) attacks on President Biden's mental acuity. No, Biden did NOT show usual lapses in memory any more than anyone would do trying to recall events from years ago as we now know virtue of the transcript being released.
Now, Judge McAfee (another conservative Republican...what else) is following the same script or, after finding NO BASIS for the issue at hand (false accusations of "conflict"...the ONLY pertinent issue) he gives his best effort to further smear Willis, that helps TRUMP!!!
Trump World is really good at intimidation and instilling fear like any Mafia Boss and Mafia Mob..
It's disgusting.
Yup!
Not sure what you think McAfee did wrong. This week he could have dismissed the entire indictment, but he dismissed only a few counts with leave to re-plead . He also could have , in effect, killed the case by disqualifying Willis. He didn’t . This issue will have zero effect on the trial itself. The only risk is if McAfee gives the defendants a certificate for interlocutory appeal. That might muck things up .
I’m not sure why you are “Not sure what you think McAfee did wrong.”. I presented a rather detailed explanation.
No, the issue that I commented on before Judge McAfee was NOT about dismissing any of the indictments. It was the vicious false attack of a "conflict"
There was NO CONFLICT of any way, shape or form. The defense floated this absurd idea that the REASON that Willis hired Wade was to provide him with money to be used to her benefit.
It’s preposterous on its face. It should have been laughed out of the courtroom. A more experienced judge (not from the Federalist Society or a conservative Republican) probably would have.
Ms. Merchant's absurd premise was laid base in a hearing of the GA legislature.
https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1765427516636909920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1765427516636909920%7Ctwgr%5E51c83e101119b774f2b3aa1fcfb176ef1192c26b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billszone.com%2Ffanzone%2Fnewreply.php%3Fdo%3Dpostreplyt%3D265011
I am not addressing his limited dismissal of some of the indictments. That was appropriate. Yes, he could have “in effect, killed the case by disqualifying Willis.” but that would be totally outside any legal or common sense or justification.
It is silly to give him credit for NOT doing something that would be opposite of any legal integrity.
That’s like giving kudos to someone who is in a store and does not steal anything….with the silly idea that ‘he could have stole that item but did not.’
What I am faulting him with is the after deciding (the ONLY way he could if he was following the law and plain common sense) is further smearing Willis in gratuitous and unnecessary way.
What he did was give credence to Trump World's intimidation and rat f*cking of Fani Willis.
I have a different view. Recall that McAfee was not inclined to have a hearing until evidence surfaced suggesting that Willis had taken trips paid for by Wade with money from the case .At that point, he had no real choice . The rebuttal of that claim surfaced only at the hearing with the testimony she paid in cash. You paint Willis as a victim. She is a very good DA but used bad judgment here. Wade was under qualified and hiring him suspect. Starting a relationship with him while the case was pending was bad judgment. McAfee did a credible job IMO. In any event, I repeat that this episode should not matter unless he grants a certificate of appeal.
You are entitled to a "different view". Reality tells a different story.
Several other lawyers were approached with the job before Wade accepted, but would not do so because they feared for their and their families lives. That's what happens when you go against the Trump Mob.
The Washington Post published a detailed story of how this whole thing came about.
"How a sleuth defense attorney and a disgruntled law partner damaged the Trump Georgia case"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/16/fani-willis-misconduct-accusations-ashleigh-merchant/
It was a classic rat f*cking effort as Merchant was Mike Roman lawyer, who was a well know "oppo research" operative, "digging up dirt on political rivals", and had birth from (as the Wa Po states) a "disgruntled law partner"..."angry about how Wade had treated his estranged wife."
The goal by Merchant, Roman and Trump World was intimidate Willis and every other person who has the temerity to challenge Donald Trump.
Roman was offered a very favorable plea deal "He could plead guilty to a single misdemeanor charge and a $5,000 fine in exchange for his cooperation, Merchant said."
Taking that sweet deal would prevent Roman from accomplished the goal of what rat f*uckers do.
This is Mafia type intimidation and smear job. It's SO obvious.
Sorry, but by any measure Wade was a suspect hire. He never tried a criminal case as a prosecutor and never tried a RICO case. Yes, Willis approached a couple of other people, but having practice law in Atlanta for 30 years, I know there are scores of qualified lawyers who weren't asked. Willis should have known to be above reproach in bringing perhaps the most important case in history, and she should have known the defense lawyers would look for any issue to derail the case. Yes, Trump is terrible and his lawyers play rough. That's also something Willis should have known. That is reality. To say Willis is utterly without fault in this situation is not objective or credible.
Fair enough.
But that does not excuse or defend the Mafia Mob smear job that Trump World inflicted meant to destroy and intimidate sending a message to anyone who has the temerity to challenge the Big Boss.
It's SO obvious.
Hey Chris, it may or may not be a big mess in Georgia. I know many of the lawyers involved. I strongly doubt losing Wade will slow them down or hurt the case. He was always a questionable hire . And the pundits who say the case will lose credibility b/c of this issue are off base. A jury will not care about this issue; many will not know about it. There is no automatic right of appeal. The trial court judge would need to give them a certificate to appeal. If he doesn't , I don't see this issue as necessarily slowing down the case. But the fact so many are indicted has always meant getting the case to a trial in a timely fashion was a risky bet. We will see.
I've been critical of praise for Pence for his actions on Jan. 6, since it reminded me of the Chris Rock bit about people wanting credit for stuff they supposed to do (whatchu want a cookie?) but I think he deserves a ton of credit for this one.
Seeing one Republican after another bend the knee is depressing so kudos to Pence for sticking to his guns and doing the right thing. Would it be nice if he said he was voting for Biden? Of course, but we know that isn't happening.
So credit to him for being willing to stand alone.
I wonder when Republicans say they won't endorse Trump but won't vote for Biden, what is their rationale? Is Biden really THAT horrible, in their opinion? I don't get it.
They'll probably write in Ronald Reagan like Larry Hogan did. At the end of the day, Pence lives in Indiana so it's not like it matters.
I agree. Give credit where credit is due.
Judge McAfee should have stopped at saying that there was no conflict of interest. Ms.Willis’ personal behavior, if it does not affect the case, did not require any comments from the judge. Whether her personal choices are “bad” or “good” is not up for interpretation from a white, male,federalist society member.
I don't think it's right to attack the Judge based on his identity. This Judge is an R , but he has done a solid job. He also issued an order this week denying most of Defendants' arguments to dismiss the case. He could have killed the case by removing Willis. As far as his comments re Willis, there was an issue beyond whether there was a technical "conflict of interest." A lawyer can be removed when there is an appearance of impropriety. His comments re Willis' behavior were directly relevant to that issue. I hate Trump with unsurpassed passion, but any objective observer should acknowledge that hiring Wade was a questionable decision given his thin resume of relevant experience and friendship with Willis. Their joint decision to start a relationship after the hire was plain bad judgment. Let's hope the case proceeds and succeeds notwithstanding that issue.
The judge needed only to rule on whether there was a conflict of interest, and he ruled that there was not. His comments on Ms Willis’ “choices” were unnecessary and demeaning. If McAfee had been anyone other than a white, male, member of the federalist society, he would have been much more circumspect in his comments.
As pointed out in my last reply to you, you are not correct about the scope of the issues presented. I also take issue with basing a critique on his identity.
Mike Pence, once in a while, does something of which I approve. But only once in a while. In our home we will never forget that for four years Mike Pence stood next to TFG and gazed at him with adoring eyes. Indeed, the only times someone gazed more adoringly at a POTUS was all those times over all of those years when Nancy gazed with unabashed adoration at Ronnie. I'm glad Mike Pence has finally come to his senses, such as they are.
Mike Pence is a weasel and a coward.
Him not endorsing Trump is irrelevant UNLESS he endorses President Biden.
When he says that "he cannot vote for President Biden" it reveals that his anti-Trump rhetoric is mere lip service.
Trumps ability to escape the judgment that he so richly deserves makes it is very hard to believe he is not using some type of leverage against his accusers. When one considers the number of formerly normal folks who have turned into impossibly nauseating Trump sycophants that premise is hammered home. Hopefully, the ultimate authority will have better luck sending TFG to the fate he has spent his sordid life earning.
It sounds as though you haven’t read the whole ruling It is hard to read it and not think that McAfee is way out of bounds.
I have read the whole opinion. I practiced law in Georgia for over 30 years and well-understand the issues. I respect Willis and a lot of her work as DA, including her bravery in bringing this case. But I view the facts objectively. You keep saying all he had to rule on was a technical conflict of interest. But that's not the law. The issue of whether there was an appearance of impropriety was squarely presented, and his comments re Willis were directly relevant to that issue. You attack him b/c he's white and a former member of the Federalist Society . But I assess his overall performance. So far, it's been even handed. Just this week, he had the opportunity to kill the case by (a) dismissing the indictment and/or (b) disqualifying Willis's office. He did neither, and the latter was certainly a possibility.
I think that his overall performance in the case has been fine..in this case, he went further than he needed to and wouldn’t have if Willis were not a black woman. Because he is a white male federalist society member, it doesn’t smell right to me. You may not agree. This is America, hurrah for reasonable discourse.
Racism is a pernicious and persistent problem in America . It should be called out when evidence exists. But the mere fact that a white Judge is critical of an African American DA is not such evidence. Thanks for the exchange.
Peace out.
So, Pence, Trump's willing flunky for four years, finally grew a pair and won't endorse him. Yawn. Does anybody in MAGAland give a hairy rat's ass about Mike Pence? There's something weird about that dude. I wouldn't be surprised if he wore Mother's silk underwear with high heels around the house or was into some kinky sex shit. Super creepy. Bye Felicia.
As for Fani...hope the guy was a good lay at least. She showed unbelievable bad judgment. Now Don slithers out of that one, too, for now. SMH🤦🏻♀️
Former Pres. Trump truly is “Teflon Don.” Every time I think they have him dead to rights, some crazy oddball thing happens and he seems to get by unscathed.
I don't see him going Scott free in these criminal cases. He's going to lose in November and the trials will continue.
If he was thatTeflon, he should not have lost the election to Biden in 2020
We’ll see.
No surprising you will hit hard DA Willis instead of the indicted former president. When you write an opinion on him this endorsement still popping up:
“I do believe that there are enough checks and balances in place — Congress, Supreme Court etc. — that will keep Trump from going full-dictator — even if he wanted to”
Keeping your options open.
One could argue that those bodies (in particular Congress) did keep former Pres. Trump from overturning the election. Certainly they were stressed, but they didn’t break.
Thank God they didn't break last time,but who said it would mot break next time. The good thing is that there will ve no next time for Trump
😂
The majority of Republicans objected to some of states electors and most of those who voted in favor retired or quick.
The Ukraine aid and Mitch resigning as leader examples of the MAGA-far right control and indicted former President Trump is not elected.
Also, GOP has rule advantage in congress if a President is not elected due to litigation plus they have SCOTUS.
Wake up!!
What more evidence does anyone need to know that Trump is not fit to be the President again, when Mike Pence who worked side by side him for 4 years said he could not in good conscience endorse him(Trump). Wow!!