Former US Attorney Preet Bharara Discusses Trump's Criminal Record and Possible Appeals

https://icaro.icaromediagroup.com/system/images/photos/16239714/original/open-uri20240602-56-1oyy0k2?1717368575
ICARO Media Group
Politics
02/06/2024 22h14

In a recent interview with former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, several topics related to Donald Trump's criminal record and potential appeals were discussed. The conversation took place on the show "Face the Nation" and covered various aspects of the recently concluded trial against the former president.

Bharara, who had endorsed Alvin Bragg, the District Attorney of Manhattan during the election, clarified that while he did not hire Todd Blanche, Trump's attorney in the case, he had promoted him twice and considered both Bragg and Blanche to be his friends.

When questioned about the impact of Trump's criminal conviction on his potential future cases, Bharara highlighted that while the likelihood of Trump serving time in prison was uncertain, the fact of the criminal conviction itself would remain on his record. If future federal counts resulted in convictions, this existing conviction could potentially lead to a higher prison sentence, as criminal records are considered during sentencing.

Regarding Blanche's performance as Trump's attorney, Bharara acknowledged that criticizing someone's performance in court is easy, but it is essential to recognize that trial outcomes can depend on various factors such as the facts, the law, and the government's ability to prove its case. While Bharara believed that there were opportunities for improvement, he refrained from making harsh criticisms.

The interview then turned to the topic of potential grounds for appeal in Trump's case. Bharara identified a few points that the defense could raise, although he stressed that overturning a criminal conviction is generally challenging. These points included arguments about the venue, the judge's recusal, the admissibility of certain testimonies, and technical aspects of the jury's unanimous decision.

To help laypeople understand the case, Bharara explained that the underlying misdemeanor charge against Trump was for falsifying business records. However, it became a felony because it was alleged to have been done to further unlawful means and interfere with the 2016 election. Bharara emphasized the seriousness of this offense and stressed that it should not be taken lightly.

Responding to Republican lawmakers' characterizations of the trial as a sham political show trial, Bharara dismissed these claims as baseless and counter to the facts. He pointed out that the trial was conducted openly and in public, with the Trump legal team participating in the jury selection and the judge making fair and even-handed rulings throughout the proceedings.

Shifting gears, Bharara touched on another legal matter involving President Biden's son, Hunter Biden. He noted that Hunter was facing federal charges for felony gun possession and emphasized the significance of the Biden administration's non-interference in the case. Bharara compared this situation to hypothetical circumstances involving Donald Trump Jr. and questioned whether his father, if reelected, would handle such a situation differently.

In conclusion, Preet Bharara provided insightful analysis and commentary on Trump's criminal record, potential appeals, and the broader context of legal proceedings involving prominent figures. The interview shed light on the complex and politically charged landscape of the American justice system.

Note: The generated article only includes information provided in the transcript.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

Related