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Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump’s marketing campaign of political prosecutions in opposition to his enemies is struggling — and increasing.
What simply occurred? On Monday, a choose within the Japanese District of Virginia dismissed instances in opposition to former FBI Director James Comey and New York state Lawyer Basic Letitia James after discovering that the prosecutor who introduced them, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed as interim US lawyer.
Individually, the Protection Division introduced Monday it was opening an investigation into Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, for showing in a latest video reminding US service members that they could refuse illegal orders.
How huge of a deal is the Halligan disqualification? Comey, who was charged with mendacity to Congress and obstructing a congressional continuing, and James, who was charged with financial institution fraud, have been each excessive on Trump’s enemies listing; in September, he straight solicited their prosecutions from Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi in a submit to Fact Social, writing:
What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia???…We will’t delay any longer, it’s killing our popularity and credibility.
Monday’s dismissals usually are not routinely the top of both case, however they could properly symbolize an insurmountable obstacle; Trump beforehand struggled to discover a lawyer prepared to carry the indictments, which is how he ended up with Halligan.
What’s occurring with Kelly? Not like Comey and James, who have been indicted on prison prices, Kelly is probably going through a court docket martial below the Uniform Code of Army Justice, which exists exterior of the US prison justice system. It’s unclear whether or not the investigation will proceed to that stage, however its mere announcement, on an extremely flimsy pretext, is a big step by the Trump administration.
What’s the massive image? The rule of regulation is basically holding — up to now — in opposition to Trump’s efforts to direct political prosecutions. However the administration has a lot of instruments at its disposal to maintain attempting, and clearly means to.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
It’s Thanksgiving week, one among our most joyous and least productive stretches of the vacation season (surpassed solely by the week between Christmas and New 12 months). To kick it off, right here’s Vox’s At this time, Defined podcast on the whole lot turkey— the way to prepare dinner it, the way it grew to become a Thanksgiving fixture, and the reality about tryptophan. Personally, I heartily endorse steering away from the entire turkey and choosing confit turkey thighs in duck fats.
As all the time, thanks for studying, have an incredible night, and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
