Me? Or Your Lyin' Eyes 👀

So many problems with a Trump reliance defense to charges.

Trump admissions that he lost, his losing court cases, his repeatedly lying about what he was told (eg fake 1/5 “Pence is on board” statement) and NO facts to support theory. Among other things! https://t.co/NM1VDV8JGT

— Andrew Weissmann (@AWeissmann_) August 1, 2022

Don’t forget that he was claiming that the election was rigged months *before* the election even happened. It was a strategy, not a good faith belief based on the outcome of the actual election

— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) August 1, 2022

If “reliance on counsel” is Trump’s legal defense, does he really have a legal defense? See also:

Wow, I’m dizzy from all that spinning.@SenMikeLee, the whole country saw your texts to Mark Meadows.

There’s no getting out of this one. You conspired to overturn our election. https://t.co/LFHIJXKRCe

— Evan McMullin 🇺🇸 (@EvanMcMullin) August 1, 2022

I mean, even Rolling Stone has Trump's number:

Screenshot #1, from Cheney: The Trump defense shifted to claiming he was manipulated by bad advisors.

#2: According to 3 people familiar with the matter and internal communications reviewed by Rolling Stone, Team Trump is considering, as its defense, finding a fall guy.

2/ pic.twitter.com/arnbvnScVD

— Teri Kanefield (@Teri_Kanefield) August 1, 2022

The lawyers and advisors, of course, include Giuliani, Eastman, Clark, Sidney Powell (and others).

Here's the thing: They all have criminal liability as well.

I can see Giuliani and Powell saying, "I am fully prepared to be thrown under the great and holy bus." 🙏

4/

— Teri Kanefield (@Teri_Kanefield) August 1, 2022

To begin with, the defense won't work.

"Your honor, I didn't want to rob the bank but my buddies told me it was very legal and very cool and I believed them."

"White House counsel told me not to, but my lawyer buddies said go for it, so it's my buddies' fault."

Nope.

6/

— Teri Kanefield (@Teri_Kanefield) August 1, 2022

But, never fear. Team Trump has a few other ideas.

The first Amendment Defense was what he raised at his Second Impeachment but (1) our understanding of the facts has changed since then [I talked about this in my FAQs] and the DOJ is preparing for that one.

8/ pic.twitter.com/IEtpF7YBsx

— Teri Kanefield (@Teri_Kanefield) August 1, 2022

The last defense they are considering is the silliest: The right to petition the government for redress.

This right (needless to say) does include the right to send a violent mob to interfere with the business of Congress.

10/ pic.twitter.com/adYOJv4wox

— Teri Kanefield (@Teri_Kanefield) August 1, 2022

No, none of this is legal analysis or legal refutation:

Believe me, nobody plans a criminal conspiracy better than me.

I have the biggest, most incredible, most tremendous criminal conspiracies. Much better than Obama could do.

Everyone is saying I'm the winner of criminal conspiracies. It's so unbelievable.https://t.co/5T3hRUe7wP

— Teri Kanefield (@Teri_Kanefield) August 1, 2022

But the arguments do have to get through to a jury first. On that, consider the fate of Steve Bannon in court recently.  Secondarily, consider the fate of 60+ cases Trump & Co. brought in December of 2020, including more than one to the Supreme Court.  And consider the win-loss record.

And then consider Trump has no better legal representation then than he will have now.  And most of the legal defenses put forward to Rolling Stone sound like dictation from Trump anyway.

Future's so bright we all gotta wear shades!