Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner

Day two of his criminal trial was no better for Donald Trump than day one. His friend and long-time associate David Pecker testified about the dirty "catch-and-kill" scheme they conspired to execute to assist Trump in his political pursuits. Pecker also testified that Trump was very detail-oriented, to the point of being a "micromanager." This directly undercut Trump's lawyer's contention during opening statements that Trump had no idea why he was writing multiple $30,000 checks (totaling $420,000 in all) on his personal checking account and delivering the checks to Michael Cohen. In essence, defense lawyer Todd Blanche was urging the jury to check their common sense at the courtroom door. Even worse for Blanche, at one point during the criminal contempt argument for Trump's repeated violation of his gag order, Judge Merchan told Blanche, "you're losing all credibility with the court". Given that the penalty for criminal contempt is up to 30 days in jail per violation, there is a very real possibility that Trump could end up in jail. Indeed, The New York Times reported that the United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies have been meeting to determine how they would handle Trump's incarceration if he is ordered jailed.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump's first criminal trial (of four criminal trials) started in earnest on Monday with opening statements and it turned out to be something of a lopsided affair. Glenn reviews some of the points made by the prosecution and some of the . . . curious arguments offered by Donald Trump's defense attorney.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Glenn discusses the three goals of a prosecution's opening statement and the three goals of a defense opening statement. There are always lots of tactical challenges for both the prosecutors and the defense attorneys. But there is one challenge in particular that Trump's attorney's will face, and it's a choice that may end up alienating the jurors, If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now 12 jurors and six alternates have already been qualified to serve on the Trump jury in the 2016 election interference trial in New York. In another development, the prosecutors just filed what's called "Sandoval Notice" detailing 13 instances of uncharged misconduct they intend to use on cross-examination of Trump in the (unlikely) event he decides to testify at trial. Glenn gives us highlights of the 13 instances of Trump's past misconduct in this new court filing.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The jury has been selected in a New York courtroom to judge the guilt or innocence of a former president of the United States. This is an important step in the direction of fulfilling the long-dormant American promise that no one is above the law. Glenn does a deep dive into several jury issues, including Judge Juan Merchan's unusual process of letting jurors self-identify as unable to be fair and dismissing them with no follow-up questions. And Glenn discusses the fact that two of the jurors are attorneys. He says this is a good thing because attorneys know the law and they can be a big asset in making sure all jurists listen to the facts and follow the judges instructions.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump has violated the gag order imposed by Judge Merchan in his New York criminal prosecution. Trump has repeatedly violated the gag order - talking about and endangering the witnesses in the case.Now NY District Attorney Alvin Bragg's prosecutors have filed a motion formally asking Judge Merchan to hold Trump in criminal contempt and fine him. However, they are also asking the judge to put Trump on notice that any future violations will land him in jail for up to 30 days, the maximum allowed for each act of contempt.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, Donald Trump went from an aspiring "day-one dictator" to a "day-one defendant" at his big 2016 election interference trial in New York. Just days ago, Trump told his supporters that he wanted "all hell to break loose on Monday." But given the anti-Trump protests outside the courthouse today, it looked like all accountability was breaking loose.Glenn takes on three of the legal developments at day one of Trump's New York trial.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Criminal trials can often be a bit like popularity contests. Each attorney will strive to be liked, trusted, and respected by the jury. In a sense, each attorney will want to be the most popular in the eyes of the jury. But more importantly - how does the jury views the defendant? Does the defendant come across as likeable, trustworthy, or honorable?There's one important piece of evidence that was disclosed a year ago in the Statement of Facts that accompanied the Indictment in Trump's 2016 Election Interference Case. This evidence will make him the most unpopular person in the entire courtroom. In fact, this one piece of evidence could very well lead the jury to convict Trump in a New York minute. Glenn discusses that piece of evidence as well as Trump's latest loss in his efforts to delay his trial.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New reports have revealed the prosecution witnesses that are prepared to testify at Donald Trump's first criminal trial and they spell real trouble for him. Those witnesses, as you might expect, include Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels. But surprisingly on the list: former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, former Director of the Oval Office Madeleine Westerhout and former CEO of the National Enquirer David Pecker.Cohen in particular is a sharply incriminating witness against Trump. And for those who say that Cohen is damaged goods because he has lied previously - might not be familiar with how prosecutors meet such credibility challenges. Glenn explains how he would convince the jury that Michael Cohen's testimony is trustworthy.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump's longtime Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was sent back to Rikers Island after pleading guilty to committing perjury at Trump's New York fraud trial. Weisselberg had served time at Rikers previously after pleading guilty to being involved in a 15-year-long criminal scheme to defraud in the first degree while serving as the CFO for the Trump Organization. Given that Weisselberg has steadfastly refused to cooperate with the prosecutors and testify against Donald Trump, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg appears to have made the strategic decision to prosecute him for perjury, making it all the harder for Trump to call Weisselberg as a defense witness at Trump's upcoming criminal trial in an attempt to undercut the prosecution's star witness Michael Cohen.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are two good news stories to report. First, a New York appeals court judge rejected Donald Trump's attempt to stop his trial from beginning on April 15th. But; in a lesser-covered development; Judge Juan Merchan shared how some of the jury selection procedures will work. People often refer to Trump's New York prosecution as the "hush money" case. However Glenn and others refer to it as an "election interference" case: Trump criminally falsified business records to cover-up hush money payments to gain unfair advantage in the 2016 presidential election.Judge Merchan has revealed how he will instruct the jury on the "nature of the case" at the start of the trial: "The allegations are in substance, that Donald Trump falsified business records to conceal an agreement with others to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election." So indeed, the jury will be instructed that this is a case involving allegations that Trump interfered in the 2016 presidential election.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump and his lawyers have again reached into their dirty little bags of tricks in a desperate effort to stop his first criminal trial from beginning on April 15th. Trump is suing the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, as The New York Times reports: "Trump to sue judge in last-ditch attempt to avert Manhattan trial." Glenn says this desperate Hail Mary will fail, just as it failed when Trump sued Judge Engoron to try to prevent his NY fraud trial from getting under way.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So it looks like the person that put up the $175 million bond to stop New York Attorney General Leticia James from seizing Trump's properties - a guy named Don Hankey - is not actually credentialed to do business in New York. Accordingly, Attorney General James filed a "notice of exception" to the bond, and Judge Arthur Engoron has now set a hearing for April 22nd. Glenn wonders if seizing Trump's properties might once again be back in play?If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If it already wasn't crystal clear that Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon should be removed from presiding over the prosecution of the very defendant who bestowed upon her a lifetime appointment as a federal judge, it is now beyond reasonable dispute. Judge Cannon ruled AGAINST Trump, denying his motion to dismiss the 32 espionage counts in his Florida federal prosecution, yet Trump then praised her and attacked Special Counsel Jack Smith for telling her - in a court filing - that she was wrong. However, Cannon denied the motion signaling that she will revisit it (and may very well grant it) once the trial starts, in which case Smith will not be able to appeal the dismissal.Given Cannon's pro-Trump bias, the public will never be able to have confidence in the outcome of Trump's Florida prosecution unless Cannon is removed and a fair, impartial and unbiased judge is assigned to preside over the case.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Special Counsel Jack Smith just filed a motion in Donald Trump's federal prosecution that is a direct and searing criticism of the conduct of Trump-appointed judge Aileen Cannon. Glenn reviews the new court filing by Smith and determines he's now closer than ever to filing a motion to remove Judge Cannon from presiding over a case in which the defendant - Donald Trump - is the very person who gave Cannon her lifetime appointment to the federal bench.Link to new Jack Smith court filing:https://storage.courtlistener.com/rec...If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Monday, New York Judge Juan Merchan issued an expanded gag order prohibiting Donald Trump from talking about the family members of the judge, prosecutors and their respective staffs.On Tuesday, Trump reposted comments by a Fox broadcaster talking about Judge Merchan's daughter.Did Trump already violate the expanded gag order? And if so, will judge Merchan impose the 30 day jail term that is authorized under New York law for such criminal contempt?If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In an absurd legal brief, Trump's lawyers file a motion with New York State court judge Juan Merchan asking him to delay the April 15th trial date because there is too much publicity surrounding Trump and his crimes. And because too many potential jurors in New York already believe Trump is guilty.Glenn takes on Trump's ridiculous motion seeking more delay in the commencement of his trial and also discusses where the presumption of innocence applies and where it doesn't.Link to his earlier article on the presumption of innocence:https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion...If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump thinks he can do one political photo op - attend the funeral of a slain NYPD police officer - and it will erase the FACT that he sent a mob to the US Capitol on January 6th to "fight like hell" and "stop the steal." His supporters proceeded to attack, beat and assault more than 100 police officers. Trump responded by telling the attackers he "loves them," that the are "very special," and that they should "never forget" that day." Then, he pledged to pardon them for the horrendous assaults they committed on police officers.How dumb, gullible, and naive does Trump think police officers are - that they would support Trump and his efforts to pardon those who attacked police officers on January 6th?If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's been a really bad couple of days for two Trump-affiliated lawyers, John Eastman and Jeffrey Clark. After a bar counsel ethics trial, a California judge ruled that John Eastman - one of the architects of the fake elector scheme - should be disbarred, saying that his "actions were carried out with deceit or dishonesty" and his plan to derail Joe Biden's election victory "was unlawful and lacked any factual or legal support." Former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark is contending with his own disbarment hearing in Washington, DC. When given the opportunity to testify in the hearing Clark repeatedly pleaded the 5th - invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination. Of course, disbarment may be the least of Eastman and Clark's worries, as both are charged co-defendants with Trump in his Georgia state RICO prosecution. And both are also un-indicted co-conspirators in Trump's federal prosecution in DC. Only the best people.If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There can be no reasonable dispute but that the institutions of government - particularly the Department of Justice - apply the rules, the laws, and the Constitution differently to Donald Trump than to the rest of us. And we are forever asking ourselves . "Why is this happening?" Glenn tries to take on that question by drawing from his decades of experience at the Department of Justice. It seems the American people will have to get to the polls and take his power away - thereby recalibrating the institutions of government so that the laws are applied equally for all of us.Here's the link for his piece written for MSNBC Daily:https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-o...If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner  If you'd like to support us and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.