Back To The Subject Of Trump’s Lawyers

Then they're going to actually READ the indictment and figure out what Trump withheld from his lawyers. And they're going to realize NONE of the lawyers realized how bad TRump's deceit was until they read the indictment (except Boris). NONE had any idea the docs were so sensitive

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) June 13, 2023

Anyone can appear for Trump at the arraignment. No lawyer can continue the case without clearance to review the documents that are the case. And, as emptywheel points out, no lawyer wants this case because Trump will screw them blind. 

That quote from The Messenger story that one lawyer thinks the DOJ case is weak is empty, or ignorant, bluster. No lawyer competent to take this case would think it an easy win, or Trump a desirable client. Not after what happened with Corcoran. And two lawyers quitting after the indictment was unsealed has yet to be explained.

Representing Trump now would be professional suicide. The lawyer willing to represent Trump is automatically disqualified by that willingness. Trump will lie to his lawyer, will stab his lawyer in the back, and stiff him on the bills.

And MTW is right: unless the reporting is wrong and Trump has had a qualified legal team in secret, how is this story possible?

Plus, at this point, it's not clear whether CORCORAN wants his testimony thrown out.

His colleagues took one look at the indictment and ran away, as fast as they could. How do you think he feels about being duped like that?

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) June 13, 2023

Your humble host included, it’s better not to speculate based on what “everybody knows.” (Obligatory Leonard Cohen reference)

And don’t sleep on the fact two lawyers (apparently) saw the indictment and said “Yeah, I’m out.” Because Trump was hiding so much from them, or treating them like Corcoran? Did they realize this indictment was the tip of the evidentiary iceberg?

Signs point to “Yes.” (And Corcoran has a reputation to reconstruct.)