Last Week In Legal: Homewrecker Edition

Hunter tries to control Congress, Trump speaks at closing, DA Fani Willis is a homewrecker.

Hunter Biden Legal Troubles

The week started with Hunter Biden making a surprise appearance at the House Oversight Committee Hearing just as they were discussing holding him in contempt for not answering the subpoena that requires him to sit for a closed-door hearing before a public hearing. You can watch the fireworks on C-Span. Hunter and most of the democrats demanded that they hold his public hearing right then and there. However, Comer and the GOP pointed out that the standard operating procedure in these kinds of investigations is to hold a closed-door hearing first, then a public hearing. The Trump kids all made multiple appearances before various committees behind closed doors, and Hunter needs to be held to the same standard. Despite the surprise appearance, both the Oversight and Judiciary Committees voted to hold Hunter in contempt of Congress. Hunter fled the hearing room when MTG began to speak and held a presser out in the hallway. By Friday, Hunter offered to come back and testify, but only if Congress sent him a new subpoena that agreed with his terms. Rep Comer essentially told him to pound sand and promised to move forward with the contempt resolution. Hunter should not get to dictate the terms of his subpoena.

Business Fraud Case

Closing arguments were held on January 11. Klasfeld tweeted the whole thing, which can be found in several different threads here, here, here, here, and here. Trump had asked to give his own closing, which the judge initially denied. But on the day of the hearing, Trump’s lawyer asked the judge to reconsider. Judge Engoron asked Trump if he would stay within the rules, and Trump immediately launched into his prepared campaign speech. It’s become obvious that Trump is going to play the martyr and make his many court appearances between now and the election into campaign stops. The problem is that he may have hurt his chances on appeal.

Carroll 1

Speaking of court appearances turned into campaign stops, that is precisely what EJC’s lawyers warned the judge would happen if Trump was allowed to attend trial.

Trump swears he will attend court this time. This statement comes about a month after Trump went on a tirade against one of his lawyers, claiming he was given bad advice not to attend the first EJC trial (which was actually the second case). Although the lawyer in question was never named, attorney Joe Tacopina has officially withdrawn from Trump’s legal team on all cases. Meanwhile, Judge Kaplan has already changed the case calendar to allow Trump time to testify on January 22.