I Knew This Would End Before I Was Through Enjoying It

How federal judges say “excuse me wtf r u doin” https://t.co/zgBJJlU8cM

— EnoughTreesHat (@Popehat) August 23, 2022

All the people saying “OMG why is the judge helping Trump?”

That is not what a federal judge helping you looks like. That is a federal judge conveying, in law-talk, “can you have someone who isn’t a total dipshit rewrite this until it’s a thing.”

— EnoughTreesHat (@Popehat) August 23, 2022

I didn’t realize Trump had filed a separate suit and made his “motion” in that suit.

Among the judge's assignments for Trump's legal team...

"the asserted basis for the exercise of this Court's jurisdiction"

"the precise relief sought, including any request for injunctive relief"

"the effect, if any, of the proceeding before" Reinhart

— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) August 23, 2022

Upshot of this useful thread: "This looks like a media play, not actual legal strategy." Trump seems to have no real legal strategy, unless the O.J. defense is a legal strategy. It's a political strategy: Delay, confuse, pressure DOJ not to indict, ultimately jury nullification. https://t.co/rb7DGCJV5f

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 23, 2022

Don’t look now, but the judge just nullified that strategy. (I’m really tired of pundits who think Trump is serious when he’s no more than a toddler, and judges are the adults in the room. Then again, I understand; pundits deal with politicians.)

One more thing probably covered by today’s order:

My favorite thing about the civil cover sheet in Trump’s new suit is that the lawyers checked the box for “other statutory actions” as the basis for the suit — and then, when asked to specify *which* statute authorizes his suit, … didn’t list one.

That’s … not how this works. pic.twitter.com/Bwr4taeoD8

— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) August 23, 2022

I will just add:

Judge to plaintiff: “WTF?!?” https://t.co/FEGcoEPIWI

— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) August 23, 2022

Because this quite mentions jurisdiction. That’s foundational. That’s how you “get in the courthouse door.” The court is wondering if it can even hear this case.

Trump is looking more and more like Lindell.

One hopes he’s spending money for this, at least.