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speak easy

(9,365 posts)
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:33 AM Apr 30

Trump, Venting About Lawyer in His Criminal Trial, Seeks More Aggression

Trump wants his lawyer Todd Blanche, to attack the witnesses, the (hostile) jury, and the judge.

Donald J. Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial had barely begun when he started to turn his anger toward his lead lawyer, Todd Blanche.

Although Mr. Blanche has been Mr. Trump’s favorite lawyer for some time, behind closed doors and in phone calls, the former president has complained repeatedly about him in recent weeks, according to four people familiar with the situation.

He has griped that Mr. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor and veteran litigator, has not been following his instructions closely, and has been insufficiently aggressive. Mr. Trump wants him to attack witnesses, attack what the former president sees as a hostile jury pool, and attack the judge, Juan M. Merchan.

Mr. Trump, who often complains about legal fees and sometimes refuses to pay them, has also wondered aloud why his lawyers cost so much, according to the people, who all spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/us/politics/trump-trial-todd-blanche.html

As every attorney knows, courtroom tactics 101 is to attack the judge.
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Trump, Venting About Lawyer in His Criminal Trial, Seeks More Aggression (Original Post) speak easy Apr 30 OP
Maybe he should represent himself. Ocelot II Apr 30 #1
Pro Shart, uh, Pro Se . . . . hatrack Apr 30 #2
No cameras in the courtroom. Too bad. That would be fun otherwise. nt Biophilic Apr 30 #57
You know what they say about those who have self for a lawyer... meow2u3 Apr 30 #67
And he could later, appeal the conviction on the grounds of incompetent representation. wnylib Apr 30 #68
His attorneys are on to Trump. no_hypocrisy Apr 30 #3
Yes, that's the ticket Farmer-Rick Apr 30 #39
Any lawyer on to Trump is going to want money up front. keithbvadu2 Apr 30 #81
Hey Todd Blanche way to publicly wreck your career and lick somebody's toes in full view of the world Leghorn21 Apr 30 #4
Hope Blanche got his entire fee up front. sop Apr 30 #5
hope he gets stiffed big time. ZonkerHarris Apr 30 #66
Lawyer Blanche can not break the law or the rules of the court no matter what Trump tells him to do Botany Apr 30 #6
" 34 felony charges and each one carries a 2 to 4 year sentence." speak easy Apr 30 #8
Consecutively Ray Bruns Apr 30 #45
I doubt that's automatic. ShazzieB Apr 30 #78
Should be for this defendant Ray Bruns Apr 30 #85
Well, he would certainly deserve it. ShazzieB Apr 30 #86
What if bdamomma Apr 30 #10
The judge wmight tell him to just suck it up and sit down getagrip_already Apr 30 #13
Again bdamomma Apr 30 #12
That is actually the best strategy for Todd Blanche, to have trump testify, then he can get away from the nightmare Escurumbele Apr 30 #31
same old same old from trump NJCher Apr 30 #53
Rule 1 for criminal defense attorneys. TomSlick Apr 30 #88
Alina will do it. gab13by13 Apr 30 #7
This could be epic: unblock Apr 30 #9
This message was self-deleted by its author bdamomma Apr 30 #11
I hope the bdamomma Apr 30 #15
Please email that script to Todd Blanche, it is perfect, he should win the case with it. Escurumbele Apr 30 #30
Fred Sanford said someone was 'pure as the driven snow' but that depends on who is doing the driving. keithbvadu2 Apr 30 #82
He's the boss. Follow his instructions. Please. 🙏🏽 live love laugh Apr 30 #14
Smelvis is a dumb fuck malaise Apr 30 #16
I'm surprised Trump is awake long enough in court to know what Blanche is doing. Lonestarblue Apr 30 #17
He's got a gag order to not attack witnesses, jurors & court workers ... aggiesal Apr 30 #18
Yes he can't do it now, so he is going to force his attorney to do it. Irish_Dem Apr 30 #22
I am not a lawyer but I am pretty sure the second Trump's lawyer breaks his gag order via his lawyer Botany Apr 30 #32
Trump has never paid attention to the law. hadEnuf Apr 30 #40
This!! WestMichRad Apr 30 #58
Si..el corrupt criminale es un p@#@## p### y uno pendejo RestoreAmerica2020 Apr 30 #61
How do you feel, when you shop at an OSCO grocery store? ... aggiesal Apr 30 #79
Hahaha! Buenas noches. 💤 RestoreAmerica2020 May 1 #89
"As every attorney knows, courtroom tactics 101 is to attack the judge." Irish_Dem Apr 30 #19
Many people say it is the best strategy. Escurumbele Apr 30 #29
And with tears in their eyes, too! Prof. Toru Tanaka Apr 30 #35
'tears in their eyes', Yes, as they are taken to the slammer for Contempt of Court speak easy Apr 30 #42
And they say it with tears in their eyes. Irish_Dem Apr 30 #36
".....tear in his eye and said, sir........" rampartc May 1 #91
You definitely don't want to piss off the judge in a non-jury trial. However, I did know a very successful older female Solomon Apr 30 #54
Yes but thisbwas a tricky strategy with risk. Irish_Dem Apr 30 #56
uh-oh, tRump is "venting"? Out of which orifice? trusty elf Apr 30 #20
All of them :) speak easy Apr 30 #21
Every Trump orifice is an anus Kennah Apr 30 #49
Ya, attacking the judge would be essentially cutting his own throat. cstanleytech Apr 30 #23
Credit Blanche for not doing stupid things Johonny Apr 30 #24
He must be a real treat as a client mahina Apr 30 #25
Has the check cleared? Kennah Apr 30 #50
Rofl. Following Trump's orders ensures failure. Joinfortmill Apr 30 #26
Would he be able to delay if he got new attorneys? TBF Apr 30 #27
Yes ....according to a former prosecutor interviewed on msnbc who once worked in that very district PortTack Apr 30 #34
So Trump could just keep switching horses midstream and delay ad infinitum? Prof. Toru Tanaka Apr 30 #38
I do know, but he can fire his attorney and that would delay things. That is his MO PortTack Apr 30 #87
I was thinking the same thing. Prof. Toru Tanaka Apr 30 #37
Oh boy...Todd Blanche is starting to get hit by trump's unmidas touch, his career is going to suffer. Escurumbele Apr 30 #28
Lawyer careers rarely suffer for representing odious people NanaCat Apr 30 #77
At least he has him family to support him. They know him best. twodogsbarking Apr 30 #33
Trump will do anything to sabotage his trial. Turbineguy Apr 30 #41
Next step, Chump will fire these lawyers ... FakeNoose Apr 30 #43
yes attack the jury... brilliant! jcgoldie Apr 30 #44
Hoping that Todd gets a face full of the MOMFUDSKI Apr 30 #46
His attorneys are not Roy Cohn bmichaelh Apr 30 #47
Did his lawyers sign a contract with dawn swearing to be martyrs for him? Ping Tung Apr 30 #48
Well, that's the new meaning for MAGA Wednesdays Apr 30 #55
TFG is a fun client LetMyPeopleVote Apr 30 #51
Theatrics FredGarvin Apr 30 #52
According to four people, huh. MorbidButterflyTat Apr 30 #59
I think I'd probably have a scowl on my face if I had to defend Trump - TBF Apr 30 #60
TSF knows everything about anything and ya can't tell him nothing he doesn't already know Deuxcents Apr 30 #62
Doesn't Blanche know he isn't getting paid? Pas-de-Calais Apr 30 #63
Yes! Let the hate flow through you, Donnie Dotard. And fire that RockRaven Apr 30 #64
He should just fire all his lawyers and represent himself. He's so much smarter than OverBurn Apr 30 #65
Looks as though trump's being expertly played by the US legal system. Torchlight Apr 30 #69
And The Jury! ProfessorGAC Apr 30 #70
'Does that come in the 102 class?' (Nah) speak easy Apr 30 #72
Fight! Fight! Fight! Kennah Apr 30 #71
I'm working on a children's book of short, uplifting stories Kennah Apr 30 #73
Blanche should channel his inner Pacino. Marcuse Apr 30 #74
Yea, I'd like to see this happen in TFG's trial. dmr May 1 #90
Me too. On the other hand he'd probably get a mistrial. Marcuse May 1 #93
"As every attorney knows" . . . . Depends. Tactical Peek Apr 30 #75
If Trump was anything like his followers are told to pretend, the best legal minds in the country would have brewens Apr 30 #76
He's laying the ground work for delaying the trial Owens Apr 30 #80
Ding. nt BWdem4life Apr 30 #84
He probably wants to be jailed for violating the gag order... AdamGG Apr 30 #83
Per Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney Danascot May 1 #92

no_hypocrisy

(46,378 posts)
3. His attorneys are on to Trump.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:38 AM
Apr 30

Likely they’re expecting millionaire dollar retainers with million dollar replenishments.

And yeah, attacking a jury is sure fire for a guilty verdict.

Farmer-Rick

(10,260 posts)
39. Yes, that's the ticket
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 10:13 AM
Apr 30

Trump should get his lawyers to attack the jury for him as frequently as possible. That will make the jury obey Trump. In their deliberations, the jury won't consider attacks against them.....never. That would be unjust.

Leghorn21

(13,527 posts)
4. Hey Todd Blanche way to publicly wreck your career and lick somebody's toes in full view of the world
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:38 AM
Apr 30

EWWWWWWWWW
I feel so bad for you HEY WAIT

Botany

(70,697 posts)
6. Lawyer Blanche can not break the law or the rules of the court no matter what Trump tells him to do
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:45 AM
Apr 30

Blanche can not attack the Judge, the Jury, or the Witnesses if he wants to keep
his law license and or not face criminal charges himself.

Donny sees himself going down in this trial and there is nothing he can
do about it. 34 felony charges and each one carries a 2 to 4 year sentence.

ShazzieB

(16,713 posts)
78. I doubt that's automatic.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 05:23 PM
Apr 30

I'm no legal eagle, but I know people get sentenced to serve multiple sentences concurrently all the time. Sentencing guidelines (which vary by state and the type of crime) enter into it, and I'm pretty sure judges have a lot to say about it as well.

getagrip_already

(15,087 posts)
13. The judge wmight tell him to just suck it up and sit down
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:56 AM
Apr 30

Not being paid is not a reason to fire your client.

If your client is trying to get you to break the law, or subjorn perjury, then it's your duty to tell the court.

What happens then is up to the court, but is going to happen to the client, not the lawyer.

bdamomma

(63,998 posts)
12. Again
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:55 AM
Apr 30

this is all that orange POS does is to bully people around. He is so fucking weak. Just imagine if he testifies???? He would perjure himself.

Escurumbele

(3,424 posts)
31. That is actually the best strategy for Todd Blanche, to have trump testify, then he can get away from the nightmare
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:50 AM
Apr 30

as trump is taken to the backroom called jail, it may be the one thing that saves Todd Blanche's career.

NJCher

(35,884 posts)
53. same old same old from trump
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:16 AM
Apr 30
as trump is taken to the backroom called jail,

That got a laugh on this end.

It's been said many times on this forum that trump is a "one-trick pony" and this latest development is further proof.

It is beyond his intellectual ability to understand there are different rules for different forums. He employs the same tactics in every arena, especially with interpersonal communication. Of course, can you blame him when so often he is deferred to after insulting a person like Bill Bahr and then having Bahr say he would still vote for him?

TomSlick

(11,177 posts)
88. Rule 1 for criminal defense attorneys.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:46 PM
Apr 30

Whether or not your client goes to jail, make sure that at the end of the trial, you are sleeping at home and have a law license.

unblock

(52,570 posts)
9. This could be epic:
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 08:49 AM
Apr 30

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, and a few not so nice people on the jury as well, I know some of you are trump haters and horrible people, maybe you should be on trial instead of my client, but if you were fair an impartial you would know he's as innocent as a baby and pure as a snowflake!


Response to unblock (Reply #9)

bdamomma

(63,998 posts)
15. I hope the
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:02 AM
Apr 30

Jury is keeping score on all of this. The orange thug just hates this and to that I say good. He is not above the law, no one is.

keithbvadu2

(37,130 posts)
82. Fred Sanford said someone was 'pure as the driven snow' but that depends on who is doing the driving.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 06:23 PM
Apr 30

aggiesal

(8,971 posts)
18. He's got a gag order to not attack witnesses, jurors & court workers ...
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:15 AM
Apr 30

so now he wants his attorney to do his bidding.

Pendejo45 is a real piece of work.
What an @$$h0le.

Irish_Dem

(48,662 posts)
22. Yes he can't do it now, so he is going to force his attorney to do it.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:19 AM
Apr 30

And he is getting angrier and angrier that his attorney won't do it.

Botany

(70,697 posts)
32. I am not a lawyer but I am pretty sure the second Trump's lawyer breaks his gag order via his lawyer
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:51 AM
Apr 30

… the Judge would smack him down in a heartbeat.

hadEnuf

(2,232 posts)
40. Trump has never paid attention to the law.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 10:22 AM
Apr 30

He thinks politics outweighs the law. His BS has always been his only weapon.

RestoreAmerica2020

(3,439 posts)
61. Si..el corrupt criminale es un p@#@## p### y uno pendejo
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:47 AM
Apr 30

..( pendejo: fucking moron) tambien! Es todo, that's all I have to say about IT, HIM! He gives me osco. 🤢 🤮 😡


Pero, buen dia y paz to you and DUers! 😊 ✌️🌻

aggiesal

(8,971 posts)
79. How do you feel, when you shop at an OSCO grocery store? ...
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 05:37 PM
Apr 30

I grew up with them, and always laughed when passing one, asking, "Don't they know what that means?"

Irish_Dem

(48,662 posts)
19. "As every attorney knows, courtroom tactics 101 is to attack the judge."
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:17 AM
Apr 30

Yep every law school class teaches the students to attack judges, make them your enemy,
and piss them off the minute you step into the courtroom.

Make sure you have no credibility with judges and make them see red when they look at you
and your client.

Threaten them and their families, bully and harass them.

Smart strategy, right?

Solomon

(12,327 posts)
54. You definitely don't want to piss off the judge in a non-jury trial. However, I did know a very successful older female
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:19 AM
Apr 30

trial lawyer who was very good at getting the sympathy of the jury by making the judge annoyed and angry with her.

Irish_Dem

(48,662 posts)
56. Yes but thisbwas a tricky strategy with risk.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:24 AM
Apr 30

And she is one of the few people who could pull it off.

Johonny

(21,014 posts)
24. Credit Blanche for not doing stupid things
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:25 AM
Apr 30

That will totally bias the jury against Trump. So far none of the witnesses were worth attacking. No crime has yet been revealed. Cohen will get attacked because he is open to them and a key witness to the actual crime.

TBF

(32,192 posts)
27. Would he be able to delay if he got new attorneys?
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:37 AM
Apr 30

I could see him trying that as another delay. I think that is Trump's sole game plan - delay long enough to get to the election.

PortTack

(32,844 posts)
34. Yes ....according to a former prosecutor interviewed on msnbc who once worked in that very district
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:57 AM
Apr 30

Prof. Toru Tanaka

(2,007 posts)
37. I was thinking the same thing.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 10:07 AM
Apr 30

Trump knows he’s guilty and his ship will be sunk if this trial plays out before November.


Escurumbele

(3,424 posts)
28. Oh boy...Todd Blanche is starting to get hit by trump's unmidas touch, his career is going to suffer.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 09:45 AM
Apr 30

I don't understand how these people who want to get with trump don't see that everything and everyone trump touches goes to crap. Why can't people see what is so obvious?

NanaCat

(1,692 posts)
77. Lawyer careers rarely suffer for representing odious people
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 04:24 PM
Apr 30

Because every defence lawyer has to represent criminals, even the most heinous ones. It's part of the job.

With trial lawyers, people give them a break because every person accused deserves to have a lawyer representing them. Even the monsters of the world deserve that, be it TSF, Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Timothy McVeigh, John Gotti, or, well, pick your terrible person. If they're in court, they're entitled to a lawyer, and someone has to do it. Just like doctors have to treat terrible people who get in car accidents.

I was at a luncheon with one of the attorneys that represented Manson. Nobody held it against him, despite how despicable the crime was. Because he did what he was trained and paid to do: Represent a criminal.

Legal representation for everyone accused of a crime is a bedrock principle of this country. We would be a lesser country if lawyers weren't required to represent the accused. In fact, we would probably be living in a totalitarian dictatorship.

FakeNoose

(33,002 posts)
43. Next step, Chump will fire these lawyers ...
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 10:37 AM
Apr 30

... after all, he's smarter than all of them combined, am I right?


MOMFUDSKI

(5,871 posts)
46. Hoping that Todd gets a face full of the
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 10:55 AM
Apr 30

clown and walks. He has a great reputation and should not sully it over this crap.

bmichaelh

(407 posts)
47. His attorneys are not Roy Cohn
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 10:57 AM
Apr 30

He is harming his own defense.

As been mentioned before, he wants his attorneys to be like Roy Cohn.



Ping Tung

(833 posts)
48. Did his lawyers sign a contract with dawn swearing to be martyrs for him?
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:07 AM
Apr 30

Sounds like his lawyers need lawyers.

MorbidButterflyTat

(1,897 posts)
59. According to four people, huh.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:36 AM
Apr 30

"Mr. Trump wants him to attack witnesses, attack what the former president sees as a hostile jury pool, and attack the judge, Juan M. Merchan."

So how does a defense attorney "attack" the jury, judge and witnesses? With a machete? A baseball bat? In the courtroom, in the parking garage after hours, at their homes while they're in bed? Maybe whoever reported this could have actually asked some questions?

One stupid display in court and the judge will shut him down.

Blanche is gonna need some extra heavy duty Botox after spending weeks or months with that ridiculous perpetual scowl on his face.

Maybe that's his method of "attack:" try to look really super serious and mean.

Perry Mason he ain't.

TBF

(32,192 posts)
60. I think I'd probably have a scowl on my face if I had to defend Trump -
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:39 AM
Apr 30

Blanche has got to be regretting leaving that comfy big firm to defend this clown. Not the best choice ...

Deuxcents

(16,502 posts)
62. TSF knows everything about anything and ya can't tell him nothing he doesn't already know
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 11:53 AM
Apr 30

Just look at his résumé’s..all beautiful and perfect. But..he’s always moaning and bitchin’ about something…all blow and no go. I don’t think he’s gonna make it all the way thru this and it’s only the first one so it’s gonna get interesting. Maybe he’ll blow a gasket today

RockRaven

(15,138 posts)
64. Yes! Let the hate flow through you, Donnie Dotard. And fire that
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 12:00 PM
Apr 30

worthless loser of a lawyer! You don't need him!

OverBurn

(978 posts)
65. He should just fire all his lawyers and represent himself. He's so much smarter than
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 12:06 PM
Apr 30

all of them anyway. What could go wrong? It'll be a win, win, win.

Torchlight

(3,498 posts)
69. Looks as though trump's being expertly played by the US legal system.
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 02:53 PM
Apr 30

I'm guessing his congregants will see this as strength, genius, or some other meritless attribution, but it's gonna be a hard row to hoe making this look like anything other than a series of trump's failures on public display.

And to make matters better, his plan is to make them worse.

ProfessorGAC

(65,561 posts)
70. And The Jury!
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 02:58 PM
Apr 30

Does that come in the 102 class?
Gee, I know if I was on a jury I'd sure be prone to have sympathy toward a defendant whose team is attacking me!

Kennah

(14,386 posts)
71. Fight! Fight! Fight!
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 03:00 PM
Apr 30

Trump with a right cross.
A jab.
Another jab.
Bodyshot.
Blanche with a cross, jab, jab, jab. Good combo, great footwork.
Spinning back kick by Blanche catches Trump in the ribs. He's knocked down.
Blanche closes. Face shot, face shot, face shot.
Trump goes down! Trump goes down! Trump goes down!
Referee John McCarthy came out of retirement for this.
He's looking at Trump. He's OUT! Trump was Knocked Out!

brewens

(13,710 posts)
76. If Trump was anything like his followers are told to pretend, the best legal minds in the country would have
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 04:07 PM
Apr 30

been fighting for that gig. Of course, not when he's flat assed, stone cold, lead pipe cinch guilty, but if he actually had a good case. The best legal guys wouldn't risk a loss.

We wouldn't have heard a word about legal fees either. His lawyers would always have paid off if he was the Trump they think he is. They would know they'd be taken care of.

Owens

(212 posts)
80. He's laying the ground work for delaying the trial
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 05:56 PM
Apr 30

He will fire the attorneys and demand time (at least till November) to hire new attorneys

AdamGG

(1,301 posts)
83. He probably wants to be jailed for violating the gag order...
Tue Apr 30, 2024, 06:42 PM
Apr 30

so he can claim it as part of his victim narrative. I hope they fine him A LOT more and maybe schedule another trial about it that he also is required to attend, but locking him up would be counterproductive and give him what he wants.

Danascot

(4,703 posts)
92. Per Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney
Wed May 1, 2024, 08:21 AM
May 1

"What happens if Trump fires his lawyers? This can be a difficult one because defendants are entitled to counsel of their choosing, and lawyers are entitled to sufficient time to prepare. But Trump has a lot of lawyers on his team and the Judge has to be prepared for this one. Trump would have to argue a significant issue has developed with his lawyers before the Judge would agree to let them out of the case, and it's going to be difficult to do that with all of them. The Judge could tell him to go ahead with the remaining lawyers, because if Trump does this at the eleventh hour, it's going to look manufactured. But it's still an issue the Judge has to be careful about to avoid problems on appeal, and so far, Judge Merchan has shown himself to be a careful, meticulous jurist."

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-may-fire-legal-team-delay-trial-attorney-1885484

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