Some highlights once I give the story an update. In the meanwhile, give the order inside the story a read.
Earlier this morning, Trump's lawyers argued that the civil probe was essentially a way to extract information without having to offer immunity that a grand jury would afford in a criminal investigation.
Engoron: "This argument completely misses the mark."
Engoron:
Trump and his children have the "absolute right" to assert Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Eric Trump did it more than 500 times, he notes.
Justice Engoron:
Trump was "hardly a stranger" to the NYAG's office when Tish James took over.
Her predecessors reached significant settlements with Trump's "University" and "Foundation," the judge says—his scare quotes.
Engoron:
The thousands of documents responsive to the subpoenas that I've viewed privately show "significant basis" for continuing the investigation, undercutting notion that it's based on animus rather than facts and law.
Engoron:
"As has often been said, that a prosecutor dislikes someone does not prevent a prosecution."
Engoron:
It would have been "blatant dereliction of duty" not to investigate and issue subpoenas.
Engoron:
Trump's spin on Mazars ditching him is Orwellian, "audacious" and "preposterous."
Engoron:
NYAG found "copious evidence of possible financial fraud."
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He was order to appear after the Georgia election workers he defamed say he "secreted away" assets from his N.Y. apartment — and reportedly went to Trump's polling station in a Mercedes convertible ordered to be turned over to them.
The hearing has begun.
Attorney for Giuliani: Ken Caruso.
For Ga. election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman: Aaron Nathan
Nathan:
Giuliani disclosed new bank accounts opened in July 2024.
On Aug. 30, Giuliani and his associates opened up a new entity: Standard USA LLC, over which he has +80% ownership interest.
"Suffice it to say, it's troubling that we learned about it on Monday for the first time."
A Georgia judge has VOIDED several rules passed by the GOP-dominated State Election Board.
The Georgia GOP reportedly plans to appeal, per @Bluestein.
I'll break down the now-stricken rules in a thread below, summarizing the ruling linked here. 🔗 assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2…
1) 183-1-12-.02(c.2):
This rule would have allowed county board members to conduct a "reasonable inquiry" of election results, an undefined power they previously never had and was the purview of the courts.
Jack Smith just filed a superseding indictment against Trump.
Prosecutors say the new indictment "reflects the Government’s efforts to respect and implement the Supreme Court’s holdings and remand instructions in Trump v. United States."
A superseding indictment replaces an existing indictment.
There are no new charges in today's indictment against Trump here, only the same four leveled against him in connection with the 2020 election, tailored to pass the Supreme Court's new test.
Today's news does, however, mean that another grand jury that did not see the evidence earlier put their stamp on the same charges.
On a quick glance, the latest indictment is shorter, and nixes DOJ-related claims that wouldn't have survived the immunity ruling.
Trump's lawyers filed a motion to vacate his 34 felony convictions and dismiss his New York indictment.
In the wake of SCOTUS's immunity ruling, they argue that certain testimony and evidence shouldn't have been introduced at trial, like the categories shown here.
DA Bragg's deadline to respond to Trump's arguments is July 24.
A few thoughts on this:
Trump's lawyers are not just challenging his convictions, based on the alleged use of "official-acts evidence."
Since prosecutors brought some of this evidence to the grand jury, they want his indictment thrown out too.