Trump Looks for Last Ditch Delays in Manhattan

Joyce Vance: “With trial only two weeks away, Trump is showing increasing signs of desperation, including an Easter Sunday ALL CAPS social media spree.”

“Don’t be surprised if he takes more steps, like his ‘new’ motion to recuse the Judge. It’s new because he filed one about a year ago for more or less the same reasons. The Judge ruled against him, and that’s not the type of motion he can appeal immediately (the type of interlocutory appeal ahead of trial we’ve been seeing for issues like immunity). He can put that on the list of issues on appeal if there is a conviction. So Trump will try to argue new grounds to recuse, to avoid that procedural barrier to advancing his arguments for recusal. But the Judge sought advice from an ethics office that advises judges about conflicts before he ruled on the last motion, and it seems unlikely he’ll be persuaded by this type of blatant delay tactic. This is a Fani Willis style political attack, not something with legal force.”

“Also be prepared for more delay tactics this week—Trump will try to bootstrap the immunity argument on appeal in the Supreme Court here; but of course, this case is based on conduct Trump engaged in before he was president, although checks were written after he assumed office. But this is purely personal conduct.”

“There are also the time-honored strategies of the desperate: getting sick or finding a sick or dying family member and firing your lawyers.”