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SPEAKER 2
Special counsel Jack Smith just made a major filing in the Washington DC criminal case against Donald Trump announcing that the Department of Justice will be dismissing the criminal case against Donald Trump in federal court. I'd like to read for you all the government's motion to dismiss and then I want to hear from
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Karen Friedman Agnifolo, who was previously the number two at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. This is from the government's motion to dismiss the federal criminal charges against Donald Trump connected with the January 6th insurrection. This case was in Washington, D.C. As a result of the election held on November 5th, 2024, the defendant Donald J.
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Trump will be inaugurated as president on January 20th,

Jack Smith Reluctantly Dismisses Trump’s January 6th Case

Special Counsel Jack Smith reluctantly moves to dismiss federal charges against Donald Trump, citing constitutional protections for a sitting president.

Special Counsel Jack Smith filed the Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss the charges related to Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection earlier today. MeidasTouch and Legal AF host Ben Meiselas, along with Legal AF host and former Chief Assistant District Attorney of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, discussed an analyzed this filing. We are providing this breaking news report ad-free exclusively to our subscribers here at Meidas+. If you appreciate our reporting, please consider joining us as a paid member now.

Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Reading from the motion, Meiselas highlighted the DOJ’s reasoning, which emphasized that this dismissal was driven solely by constitutional constraints rather than the merits of the case. Smith underscored that the charges brought against Trump were among the strongest ever assembled, but the Department is bound by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) interpretation, which deemed prosecution unconstitutional for an elected president. The dismissal is without prejudice, meaning the case could theoretically be refiled in the future, though this outcome is seen as unlikely.

Agnifilo lamented the necessity of the dismissal, calling it a “shame” while recognizing its inevitability. She explained that Trump’s ability to pardon himself renders the likelihood of re-prosecution minimal. Agnifilo noted the unusual cooperation from Trump’s defense team, speculating they are confident Trump will protect himself from any legal consequences.

The dismissal follows the controversial creation of a new legal doctrine by the Supreme Court—absolute immunity for Trump—which effectively shielded him from ongoing federal and some state prosecutions. The Court’s decisions ultimately delayed the case’s resolution to the point of dismissal, resulting in a complete and total travesty of justice.

Special Counsel Smith’s motion to dismiss reflects deep reluctance, with language underscoring the gravity of Trump’s crimes and the strength of the government’s evidence. Agnifilo characterized Smith as a “prosecutor’s prosecutor,” someone guided by integrity and public service, who made the difficult but necessary decision to follow the law even when it meant dismissing a landmark case.

This development raises further questions about the broader implications for other ongoing cases, including those in New York and Georgia. Agnifilo speculated that the OLC’s decision might influence state prosecutions, although its immediate impact remains unclear.

Meiselas and Agnifilo called the outcome a stark example of the flaws in the justice system, where constitutional provisions designed to protect the presidency are leveraged by individuals accused of undermining democracy. While this decision concludes Trump’s federal prosecution in the January 6th case, the hosts emphasized the importance of ongoing legal analysis and accountability as Trump’s presidency resumes.

Watch the full breaking news report above and consider joining as a paid member of the Meidas+ Substack now.

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Discussion about this video

User's avatar
Susan Paul's avatar

This makes me physically ill.

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LaneZane1's avatar

I am shocked and saddened by all of this

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Sandra Rector🏴🏴's avatar

I want to scream and beat my head against the keyboard. Why does this orange mf always manage to crime with no repercussions, even if he’s found guilty!! He should be in jail for sedition, rape, fraud, and espionage. He’s not only walking free, but our newly elected president?!?!???? Wtf? WTF?!? WTAF???? ( insert primal scream here )

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Myra's avatar

It’s all about the money. We’ve allowed money to govern everything. Nightmare

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Steve Doll's avatar

The money talks and the pile of bulls**t walks.

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Diane E Bellard's avatar

Yep! And now that Trump has filled his administration with billionaires and millionaires, the oligarchy is about to take over.

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LaneZane1's avatar

Of course it is! Money talks!

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The Lady Layman's avatar

What money? Before the Democrat Extremist lawfare starting in 2021, the man lost 3 BILLION dollars of net worth.

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Mim Eisenberg (NYer now in GA)'s avatar

>PRIMAL SCREAM!!!<

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Anastasia's avatar

I'm feeling exactly the same!!!!! It's truly a nightmare of the worst kind!!!

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Sandra Rector🏴🏴's avatar

I truly thought Jack Smith would finally be the one to nail his ass, and he jus gives up. Why not wait until the nightmare of these next 4 yrs are over? I will NEVER understand how this traitorous bastard gets treated with kid gloves.

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Diane E Bellard's avatar

I believe he dismissed the charges without prejudice meaning they could theoretically be brought again after Trump leaves office. But realistically that’s never going to happen. The fact that he’s ready to take office again is such a grave miscarriage of justice.

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Sandra Rector🏴🏴's avatar

I saw that, and I understand. It will never happen, you’re exactly right.

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NOLA RANDALL's avatar

He'll be in a mental institution

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Cathy Delia's avatar

I guess there is a different definition of treason for Trump.

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Bonnie Sue Miller's avatar

I feel every ounce of your frustration!

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LaneZane1's avatar

It saddens me but it shows that justice doesn’t matter even though our newly elected president is guilty as sin in more ways than one

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Sher''s avatar

Because the corruption went to some very high places throughout multiple institutions. I also blame Garkand. We've been slow walked into an abyss.

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WJB Motown's avatar

Malcolm Nance has been screaming and yelling warnings about all this for years.

Nobody has really listened.........Writers like Jane Meyer have been exposing the think tanks and dark money issues for years........nothing was done......

The right wing has been relentless.........Where are the dems right now?? Giving up????

Alot of freaking out......there should have neen millions of people in the streets supporting the womens protests.............nothing!!!

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Michele Squires's avatar

Only one thing left to do to punish him.

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Cathy Delia's avatar

My sentiments exactly!

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The Lady Layman's avatar

Probably because there wasn't a crime. lol.

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Sandra Rector🏴🏴's avatar

Oh, of course. You’re absolutely right. 🙄🙄🙄

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Susan's avatar

That’s why Trump ran … to stay out of prison

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LaneZane1's avatar

Of course he did

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Maxine Jones's avatar

I agree, but have a question for the discussion. She says he would get rid of the charges on his own by pardoning himself. BUT… doesn’t he have to be found Guilty before pardoning himself?!?

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Diane Shaffer's avatar

And now they’re going to feel vindicated. They’re going to gaslight us that the insurrection was valid and necessary and they won. They’re already thinking about charging the cop that shot that girl with murder! Don’t forget how you felt that day, watching it happen! Don’t forget the cop screaming as he was crushed in the door! Don’t forget the gallows they built and brought to the Capitol!

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Ron Rose's avatar

Worse yet! Trump will pardon every guy that was found guilty in that insurrection.... terrible.... just terrible.

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Cathy Delia's avatar

I'll never forget that day!

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Jessie S.'s avatar

I have it all on video. I watched it all unfold in real time.

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Diane Shaffer's avatar

So did I. My first thought was “Dear Goddess, they’re doing a Putsch.” My second thought was “I will not live under their regime” and thought about getting a gun. Then I remembered I was broke 😣

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Nasty Woman's avatar

First Rule of fighting TYRANNY… Do NOT obey in advance! This is literally the opposite of that. 😠

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Mim Eisenberg (NYer now in GA)'s avatar

They really had no choice. The blame goes back to McConnell and Garland, whom I will forever hold in contempt.

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Lights Seiferlein's avatar

Last hope for justice for this dick--GONE. Merchan will likely either dismiss or set sentencing so far ahead it's no sentencing at all. Rich man's "justice".

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Fayzkid's avatar

Should have made the SCOTUS dismiss it . It’s like following protocol during rise of Third Reich

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Myra's avatar

Sad day for this country. Thank you and your brothers for all you. Please be cautious. I sometimes fear for you guys. These people are mobsters. They respect nothing but power and money. Evil. Pure evil.

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Bonnie Sue Miller's avatar

Spot-on! No shortage of evil in the new administration .

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G LAB's avatar

There is no Justice in the United States of America for the Oligarchy. Only for the peons.

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Rick's avatar

And it’s never been on full display as it has now!!!! WTAF!!!!!

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Brenda Gelinas's avatar

Another slam to us the people and justice ...

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Rebecca's avatar

So disgusted with this country right now

What happened to us?

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Rick's avatar

Social Media is what’s happened to us.

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JAmmann_Meidas's avatar

I am physically ill over this. How is this man able to get away with all this??? I’m convinced he’s an evil incarnate. There’s no other way this man gets by with all this. I wish this didn’t happen. These stupid, stupid people who elected that man.🤦‍♀️ I’m just disgusted. I really don’t want to live in a country like this.

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Laurie's avatar

he is not in office yet! Once again he gets away with everything

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Ron Rose's avatar

Hey .... he was running the Congress ever since he lost his last election .... they feared him that strongly. I would have completed the sentencing and put his azz in jail!

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Laurie's avatar

.. yea no kidding. That's a bad example to everybody that says you can do anything you want if you're president.

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Judith McDanniel's avatar

I am so pissed off ! I blame Garland wasted 2 1/2 Fen years WTF !!! Again the CRIMINAL, RAPIST WALKS WTF !!! He will Fen pardon himself !!

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Sal Teodoro's avatar

Unfkn believable!

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Susan Klemetsen's avatar

A very sad day for America!

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Lynda PoVey's avatar

Laws need to be re written and verbage changed on every job application out there. Absolutely no accountability or punishment. This country stinks and getting worse every day

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ETmologee's avatar

Disgusted. Disappointed. 😔

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Annie Moore's avatar

And that’s why Trump ran & made sure to win. It’s sickening & horrific that this criminal gets to walk away with all he did.

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User's avatar
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Rick's avatar

Musk literally said, “I’m f&@ked if he looses”.

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Tamara bookman's avatar

Traitor king Donny got away with murdering Covid patients so of course he got away with taking classified documents.

He is a traitor

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Rita Stella's avatar

The rule of law is no more.

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Steve Doll's avatar

Not so. It's now Trump's law.

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Bonnie Sue Miller's avatar

Sadly, it's looking that way.

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Beth Ann's avatar

I understand Smith really had no choice but this makes me feel sick with anger. Thanks Garland.

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Jan's avatar

Release the case information to the public. We have the right to know the details of the research that Jack Smith collected over the last two years! Merrick Garland is to blame for the delay in trying Trump! That will be written by Historians! Along with the Imperial Court formerly known as the Supreme Court.

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Michael's avatar

Should have been tried earlier, the gov letting him delay, delay,dela. It your fault

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Myra's avatar

The democrats allowed it too.

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Josh's avatar

This is why I'll never again recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The idea that there is somehow 'liberty and justice for all' in America is now undeniably complete and utter BULLSHIT.

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Jessie S.'s avatar

I will never, ever, ever recite that bullshit again either. Never will I ever. I’m starting to understand why people burn the flag. We are there. I am there. This isn’t the America I grew up in; this is a surreal, hellish dictatorship in the making.

It is time for a national divorce. I cannot stand these fucking people.

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KCM's avatar

In my 61 years on Earth, I can’t recall a darker day for justice. What does this mean for all of the J6 prosecutions and sentences if the orchestrator goes Scott free?

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A. Hofferkamp's avatar

He's a rich kid who was never reigned in. He's proof that people don't stop if they never pay the price for their crimes.

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d McKay's avatar

It's soooooooooooooooo sad....... I'm sad, that the rest of us, who voted and tried so hard to show who Trump really was, but to no avail...... The Criminal Felon, Rapist, evil Con Man, had too many of his own Trolls behind him, to snake his way back in and NOW WE ALL HAVE TO BE PUNISHED BY HIM...... I WANT TO VOMIT!

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Adrienne Smith's avatar

I can't effing believe it. This man has gotten away with every effing crime there is. I just can't believe that he's the president of the United States. I can't believe he's going to get away with everything. Makes me sick

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jane hopkins walsh's avatar

Sadly, Brazil and Honduras can show us how to get it done - ex-presidents Bolsonaro and Juan Orlando Hernandez in jail for crimm-ing. They did it better.

Here we all saw it all happen with our eyes, DC and docs case -- and no accountability in 4 long years.

I feel sickened. And SCOTUS will go down in history as being fully complicit in this ending. )):

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Susan Klemetsen's avatar

I'm not going to let the people who didn't vote off the hook. This is their fault, too. Not to mention Green Party voters who are no better than MAGA.

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Laurie's avatar

The ironic thing is Trump is, against the thing that is now protecting him.

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Daniel's avatar

I don't have a President. I denounced President Trump as my President and it's all about the money. The poor people are going to pay more taxes for goods and otherwise. Then on of our paychecks, just to make sure these millionaires get their money back. It'll unless Trump and tyranny, which I think is a swampy. Thing is a swamp and thank you for bringing this to our attention. But I'm merely p***** off. I want Trump off this planet. The rest of the idiots too. Before it's too late and I don't trust the Supreme Court anymore.I don't trust the prosecuting attorneys anymore.I don't trust any of them anymore.They're all criminals

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Arthur T. Himmelman's avatar

The policy of not criminally prosecuting a sitting president is NOT in the Constitution. It is not a law. It is a policy of the DOJ formulated during the Nixon administration when DOJ decided not to prosecute Spiro Agnew. This decision also resulted from Senator McConnell refusing to support impeachment and AG Garland’s phenomenal cowardice and incompetence in waiting almost two years after the attempted Trump coup to hire Jack Smith. Other factors include Biden’s terrible decision to hire Garland; and the Founders who created a political and legal framework through which a fascist could win the presidency with power of a dictator.

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Arthur T. Himmelman's avatar

And the Founders denied the vote to white men who did not own property, refused to allow women to vote, owned or tolerated African men, women, and children living in brutal slavery, and began a national genocide against the indigenous people whose land they stole.

💙💙💙💙

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Josh's avatar

The founders could have specified that a convicted felon could never be president. There were felons in their time and they were generally bad people. They chose not to, so, yes, they screwed us too.

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Arthur T. Himmelman's avatar

An excellent analysis of why presidential immunity is not explicitly specified in the Constitution can be found by Googling Saikrisna B. Prakash, professor of law and expert on presidential power at the Virginia School of Law. This site provides his Texas Law Review 2021 article, “Prosecuting and Punishing Our Presidents.”

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David Riley's avatar

Are we going to follow the constitution on the 14th amendment legally barring him from the presidency?

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David Riley's avatar

Senate Dems are doing a good job with confirming federal judges.

I hope I’m wrong fearing that’s not going to be enough to stop these fascists from running rampant. We’ve already shown America that presidents have full immunity to commit whatever crimes they want and nothing will be done.

How are we supposed to believe anything will be different when judges have already bent the knee to him by dismissing or suspending just about every single case?

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Adrienne Smith's avatar

If the president of the United States has absolute immunity then Biden needs to put Trump's ass in jail like right now

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Jessie S.'s avatar

RIGHT!? Straight up FUCK THIS.

Biden, if you’re listening: BE A REVOLUTIONARY. Be a HERO.

There is no rule of law in this country anymore by simply letting this felonious traitor become president again and the fascist billionaires take root.

So what the fuck: LOCK HIS ASS UP.

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Anastasia's avatar

I couldn't agree more!!! Really wish, but doubt, Biden unfortunately doesn't have it in him. He could have fired Garland way back when but didn't. It's an unbelievable shit show!!!

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LiseAnn 🇨🇦's avatar

😡😡😡😡 F*ing "JUSTICE"...!! F** coward Garland who sat on his hands for more than a year before doing ANYTHING about the gd orange criminal. 😡😡😡

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bob yates's avatar

Constitutional protections AND immunity to boot! Life is good for the lawless former & future guy!

Do tell me more about this "rule of law" that supposedly exists on your planet.

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Kitty L's avatar

Thanks for waiting , Merrick Garland.

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Hope's avatar

Thanks a lot Garland. He will go down as the worst Democratic nominee in history.

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Raschella's avatar

No! No! No! Don't obey in advance!! That needs to be our mantra. He IS NOT the President! Biden is President for eight more weeks.

Also, if the DOJ dismisses the case, there is nothing for Trump to pardon, correct? Then after he leaves office in four years (yes, he WILL leave!), the case can be refiled? Unless, of course, the SC deems that inciting an insurrection is a presidential act.

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Lori Christian's avatar

They act like a gun is pointed at their heads!

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Krysia Alexander's avatar

Where is Merrick Garland in all this? This is absolutely disgusting he is not above the law, no matter what he says or believes.

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Sharon Bouchard's avatar

I don't believe in Hell, but at times I sure can understand why the concept came to be.

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Rebecca's avatar

That's a pile of BS..!! 🤬

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Rebecca's avatar

Arrest him

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Lisa Vaughn's avatar

The rule of law is gone. This is no longer the America we have all grown up in.

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Kevin Landon's avatar

this result may have been inevitable but is wrong on so many levels. in times like these, the peasants must rise up, light the torches and use the pitchforks to vanquish the monsters.

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LiseAnn 🇨🇦's avatar

Jack Smith hit the ground running as soon as coward Garland gave him the "go ahead" after waiting more than a year before doing a single thing about trump's crimes. Smith has done ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING in his power from his first day on the job to get the orange scum before a judge to pay for his crimes. He deserves ZERO BLAME! Garland is the one to blame 100% for this cynical FARCE. 😡😡😡😡

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Jessie S.'s avatar

Garland is IN ON IT. All of it. He’s an utter disgrace.

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Lori Christian's avatar

Coward!!! What the actual fuck? Do we all have a gun pointed at our heads by Russia?! I’m pissed off! A full on felon gets to do what he wants and everyone just folds. Fuck these imbeciles as soon as humanly possible we’re leaving this turd world! Fuck Trump! Fuck these traitors and our government willfully destroying America and unless you’re filthy rich you’re going to be fucked!

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Michele Squires's avatar

That's it for me. If Smith is giving up so am I. I'm done with the constant gut punches. The only thing that could change my mind is something historically, stupendously EPIC done by JOE BIDEN.

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Chohni Baird's avatar

I feel like I'm listening to a real shit version of Queen's "Another one bites the dust".

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nothappynow's avatar

I knew this would happen...but I do believe karma will get frump...I just know it will

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Cindy Monten's avatar

It makes me so angry and will embolden him to do it again

He will never leave the White House

He is an embarrassment and it saddens me that I want to leave America

I was once so proud to be an American

I wish I was in a position to leave

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Cathy Delia's avatar

This just adds to the disappointments we all have endured since the election. I'm still coming to terms with the election results, and now this. What a slap in the face! Whatever happened to "no one is above the law?" I'm going to go throw up now.

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Dan R's avatar

We’re at an existential point and if President Biden doesn’t invoke Article 14 Sec 3 his legacy will be naught. He and Congress are obliged to uphold the Constitution and MUST DO SO! Convene an emergency Federal Grand Jury immediately… present the already documented evidence which proves Trump's guilt as an insurrectionist!! The Constitution demands this bold action in order to save our country. Certainly the societal impact would be tremendous, even dangerous, but the consequences would pale when compared to Trump's stated intentions.

He's NOT president until sworn in... just don’t do it.

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Josh's avatar

History will remember Biden et al. as a confederacy of cowards. If there is anyone around to write history, that is, after Trump and his minions try to destroy 250 years of progress.

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Dan R's avatar

Josh and All,

Keep fighting… don’t give in/up !!

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Lisa S's avatar

Thank you Jack Smith and your team—true patriots.

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Ron Rose's avatar

Did you question Merrick's cowardice in bringing these cases forward? What a failure he is .... one of the greatest Judges ever.... known to have never lost a case. Was selected to Judge the Oklahoma bombing .... and now he has folded his cards .... Trump could have been in jail two years ago

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Jessie S.'s avatar

RIP America. Was nice knowing you all these years. You sure were pretty great for most of my life. But your inability to hold the rich and powerful to account is utterly unforgivable.

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Lindy's avatar

Reluctantly, my *ss. He could have put them on hold for 4 years and then proceeded.

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Lori Christian's avatar

He’s a coward.

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Leslie Seitz's avatar

Once again he's getting away with this crime. It absolutely sickens me!!!!

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Julie Harrison's avatar

All because Merrick Garland didn't start the case when Trump left office. He sat on it for 2 bloody years!

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Nicholas Matz's avatar

I always blamed Garland for everything with this! So why was he considered for SCOTUS again? I honestly can't remember...

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Julie Harrison's avatar

Merrick Garland is worse than useless

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Shawn R Fuzy's avatar

Unbelievable bull💩! This is why I gave up on America. Those in power who could do anything about it WON'T. I will live out the end of my life completely disgusted by all who could have helped America but chose a disgusting human being to ruin our country.

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Angie's avatar

This country is so done. What a collection of fools and cowards.

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Barbara Brown's avatar

Truly makes me sick. Why the help didn’t the DOJ move in this faster! He knows he got away with it.

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WT's avatar

I truly believe a huge majority of the blame for this DOJ embarrassment needs to follow AG Garland to the end of his public service. Utter failure.

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Linda's avatar

It's a sorry country where their leader either moves into the White House or jail.

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Teresa L - Gauthier's avatar

This disgusting! He is above the f ing law !

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Jennifer VN's avatar

Trump won America lost, Hunter Biden was convicted so the Justice System works for losers and suckers like he claims we all are. Michael Cohn says Bragg should throw out the New York case as well. He should head right down to Mar a largo with Mika and Joe. The American Justice System is dead.

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Nancy Thatcher's avatar

I can’t take this anymore what about no one is above the law. 🤢🤢🤢🤢

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Ranulf de Glanvill's avatar

When the history of this investigation is written, the only participants seen to have acted honorably throughout will be Jack Smith and his colleagues.

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Lori Christian's avatar

They’re cowards!

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Ranulf de Glanvill's avatar

I'm sorry, but who are "cowards"?

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Lori Christian's avatar

If you can’t figure that out, you’re an idiot!

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Cheryl Proctor's avatar

Ruled by a traitor! Put him behind bars.

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mth's avatar

WHY? WHY? WHY? Smith could have followed Judge Merchan's example and postponed the cases, letting Trump's AG dismiss them so everyone sees how corrupt they are.

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Sandra Przybylski's avatar

Democracy just took another cut.😭 What does this mean for GA Rico case? There's a call in with Harris & Walz Nov 26 3pm ET. Details⤵️

Want to join me for this event? https://mobilize.us/s/7iS0lS

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Doug's avatar

Today’s motion from Jack Smith is asking Judge Chutkan to do something that’s never been done before: dismiss a criminal case against a president-elect - without prejudice - for crimes he allegedly committed as a private citizen, specifically to allow the same charges to be brought again once the “President’s term is over or he is otherwise removed from office by resignation or impeachment.”

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MELA's avatar

Won’t it all catch up to him eventually? …

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nothappynow's avatar

Insurrection will never be ok...don't let it!

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Laurie's avatar

They should not have stalled off with anything.. push it forward sooner now it's too late

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Donna Ketterer's avatar

Not surprised at all. They are the party of putin.

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Tyronda's avatar

I'm sick ... I hate that mthfker

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Larraine McNamara- McGraw's avatar

Do not soft serve up Jack Smith, Meidas Mighty. He did what Tim Snyder has warned US NOT to do: obey in advance. He’s probably a Federalist Society member like his boss Merrick. Do not honor him or give him excuses. It wasn’t “ reluctance” it was relief.😖

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Pat's avatar

Sorry, but what cowards or idiots! Why not just let Trump try to pardon himself. Don't give him an out! And why can a president be able to pardon himself? Who says that is legal or possible? And where was this Office of Legal Counsel who says a sitting president can't be charged with a crime when these charges were originally brought? This is an embarrassment and a travesty of justice! Americans who care about justice and the rule of law should be outraged and let the DOJ, etc. know this!

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Robin Tayman's avatar

The American people have elected a criminal & proved that the laws don’t apply to people who have money & power. Sad day for America

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Sher''s avatar

We're screwed....slow walked by Garland into the abyss. What a farce politics is and our DOJ. The D party had FOUR YEARS to decide a strategy to defeat Trump and over 3 to push action in the DOJ. I am done. We're just pawns.

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Daniel's avatar

I thought Jack Smith.What a his name is Roswell Dray against Trump.I thought he had some balls and I think gets a p****Cause he wants to dismiss all of these charges to Trump before he gets election.That means I think they got paid off.Trump paid him all off so he wouldn't go to prison.Once a chicken s*** son of a b**** a**Excuse my friend but i'm really freaking pissed

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Warrior4Justice's avatar

Feel sick about this. Just what DT wanted. As a licensed psychotherapist, I can say it's pretty much impossible to get any accountability from a narcissist.

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Steve Doll's avatar

So the BS walks again. Forget any sense of justice in this country. Der Fuhrer has everyone cowed or buffaloed.

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Donna Shelton's avatar

I could not be more disgusted and disappointed. Not with Jack Smith, who handled this brilliantly. I fault Merrick Garland who was too dilatory. I don’t think I will ever get over this.

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Adrienne Smith's avatar

Like Susan said he ran to stay out of prison so he could pardon himself in all his cronies

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Anna Francesca Celestino's avatar

A sad day....

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Bobbie Pitkin's avatar

Expose the evidence! Justice moves too slowly for the guilty.

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Susan A Dunkelberger's avatar

All Americans who, are disgusted with our cowardly justice department, need to be ready to stand up, protest every evil thing trump tries to do. Don't let this evil person destroy our country. Evil can only exist when good people do nothing, and if that happens then we deserve what happens.

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Shoshanna's avatar

Just kill me now.

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Jessie S.'s avatar

No. Don’t wish for that 😔

But I do feel your pain as I share it. ❤️This is yet another terrible day.

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David Riley's avatar

Democratic leadership keeps telling us to “fight” and “not give in to authoritarians” when they’re LITERALLY not even pretending to fight, they’re just rolling over and rolling out the carpet for criminals. Don’t be surprised when the people stop listening completely and won’t fight for Dems bc Dems didn’t fight for the people.

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Judith McDanniel's avatar

And again I say just 2" we would of been rid of this Criminal A-HOLE !!

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The Lady Layman's avatar

What a misleading set of characterizations. SCOTUS didn't rule that TRUMP GETS IMMUNITY. They ruled that Presidential immunity as a whole cannot be politically restructured to benefit politically motivated parties.

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Patrick Pascale's avatar

Just underscores how rigged this Justice system really is. If Thrump has immunity how did they not grant same to Hitler, Mussolini, Al Capone, Stalin ,Willie Sutton,: The list goes on and on-we all know the answers -how can anyone morally support a MAGA gang of punks who have never lifted a finger to foster the comparatively good and honest country we live in? Gush from your Brain, not from your MOUTHS, you grisly Make America Gangster Again proponents....

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John Brodemus's avatar

By dropping cases or delaying sentencing, they never have to test the idea that a president can self pardon .

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Tyronda's avatar

I'm sick to my stomach... "Hate was never too strong a word "

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DonnaSheWrites's avatar

HE'S NOT THE SITTING PRESIDENT! Am I missing something here???

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FeralAF's avatar

Weak. Sorry, but Democrats are weak. Biden and on down, didn't know how to deal wth Trump, the criminal. They should be recounting the votes too, but we won't.

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Agent of Chaotic Respite's avatar

BEYOND Disappointed. Supremely PISSED OFF. 😡😡😡

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Judith's avatar

This lies 100% at the feet of "no man is above the law" Merrick Garland who sat on his hands for 2 full years before reluctantly and very S-L-O-W-L-Y moving on the recommendations of the special J6 commission.

The fact is, neither Garland nor Biden ever wanted to prosecute Trump. If they had, it would have happened. How ironic that Garland, son of Holocaust Survivors and a stated deep gratitude to this country would, by his inertia, permit yet another fascist to return to power.

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Theresa Milstead's avatar

The way Jack closed this I read the case can be activated again.

It is nearly unbelievable the people who live in our neighborhood, our coworker etc don’t see the insurrection as about the worst thing you can do to the government, peopled died, and half the country thought it was a good idea to put him back in office.

… and that’s not counting the theft of top secret documents. A spy.

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Pat's avatar

Another point is that we shouldn't neglect to give due respect to the Congressional January 6th Committee. Chairman Bennie Thompson, Rep. Liz Cheney, Rep. Adam Schiff, and Rep. Adam Kinzinger among others put their careers and literally their lives on the line to ensure that the American people learned the facts of this case against Trump. Dismissing the charges against Trump does them a grave disservice. Furthermore, it may well have a chilling effect on the willingness of other elected officials to participate in such an investigation in the future. Shame on the DOJ, the Suprerme Court, and everyone who is culpable in this disgraceful outcome. We the American people deserve better from our Federal justice system and it's leadership, especially Merrick Garland and of course, The United States Supreme Court which is now a puppet for the radical right and Trump. It's such incredible hypocrisy if the President of the US can get away with a treasonous act leading to people dying and many more being injured and traumatized, yet demand everyday citizens abide by the law. What an outrage. God help us!

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LAUREEN LAUREEN's avatar

Well then, all felons in prison need to be released since the person holding the highest office of our country can lead when he's criminally convicted of a felony, then that should apply to every felon.

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Judith L Hubbard's avatar

Our forefathers were imperfect, many owned slaves, and were terribly naive in assuming good would prevail. Too many loopholes to navigate for justice to be served. Too much care for the lawless less innocents be prosecuted; too much faith in the majority to be just and honorable.

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Deborah Moretti's avatar

Obviously, (but sadly) RULES ARE FOR FOOLS! AND poor people

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Ellyn's avatar

As an ordinary citizen - is it possible he will EVER be held accountable for ANYTHING?

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Jacqueline Carr's avatar

Question can Jack Smith still go against the co-conspirators?

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Lila Morris's avatar

Sucks big time

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Mark's avatar

Why would DOJ drop charges? So if you are a politician you can commit crimes without accountability while regular citizens must pay for their crimes 🤬🤬🤬 THAT IS TOTAL BULL💩!!!

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Julie Harrison's avatar

I don't believe there has EVER been blind justice in America, it's just that this case highlights it the most and people are shocked. But it's always been that way for the rich and the powerful.

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Jeff Gebhart's avatar

Trump doesn’t need to appoint a new attorney general… he’s got Merrick (the wilting) Garland already doing a fine job for him!

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Maxine Jones's avatar

I’m confused….to pardon himself, doesn’t he have to actually be Guilty!?

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Judi Radice Hays's avatar

This signals to the American people that laws don’t matter. Why do we have to follow laws when the king doesn’t? Can’t we just use the Trump defense?

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Tyronda's avatar

I truly believe in the universe, here is where our hero lies , he might be a man, but I'm praying it's a woman .

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Linda Fulcher's avatar

He. Got. Away. With. It. All. Fuck Merrick Garland and Joe Biden and damn them to the lowest circle of hell. Garland must be laughing at the fact that his complicity in the coup got Trump off the hook. Anticipatory obedience is on a roll everywhere.

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CARLA HEISTEN's avatar

Once again The People lose to money, greedy corruption and laws that favor the rich.

You know that bit we used to recite, the one they called the pledge of allegiance...with liberty and justice for all?

I'm deeply saddened to KNOW for a fact that this pledge was a complete crock of bs.

I will never say that pledge again unless laws are changed to protect the people. IT is a lie. That is the biggest lie of all.

The one thing I do know is Karma is unavoidable. We may not see it, but she's relentless.

NOW we see very clearly the mess that was our country's system, and how it is NOT for the people at all. Not for All the people.

Someday we will clean it up...I have to believe this.

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Peggy Bentley's avatar

I just want to tear my hair out!!!! and I have a LOT OF HAIR. As so many have already expressed, this SOB walks free after being convicted! We’re living with a soon to be president who has committed so many crimes!! How do you explain this crap to kids????!!!!!

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Martha HB's avatar

The Rule of Law does not apply to privileged and big money. There is no reàl justice in this country.

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NJ Osborne's avatar

Yeah, I mentioned blue sky stopped working and there is no one home‼️

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NJ Osborne's avatar

Kow-tow? Then that’s it, right⁉️

One question though how really pissed off should the American public be before we make things change?

Because, right now all I feel is discussed for the people like Putin, who run our government‼️

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Tony DeCerce's avatar

This is way trump won, the system is fucked and Needs to be restated, unfortunately innocent people will suffer and die. Dems better fight now and not turn over power. Use trumps playbook

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L Peluso's avatar

Merrick Garland dragged his feet, fearful to do the right thing because he imagined he might appear politically motivated. Was he the first to be obedient in advance?

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Diane E Bellard's avatar

Jack Smith should publish all the evidence of Trump’s crimes to the public. The failure to hold Trump accountable for these serious crimes against our country is one of the gravest miscarriages of justice against the American people ever. And there are plenty of people who complicit in it, but the Supreme Court is the worst. They delayed the decision in the immunity appeal to the last minute and then created a new law just for Trump to allow him to evade justice. We have a right to see all the evidence, and it needs to be preserved for history.

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chev_chelios's avatar

tRump's main goal was to win the election to stay out of jail...but he should give a big fat kiss on the lips to those 6 SCOTUS justices that helped enable the ahole from being prosecuted altogether...tRump and his lawyers were able to manipulate the legal system like no one ever has....what a f**king joke this country has become.

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Lisa Hansen's avatar

He should NOT have dropped the case. If he had any balls he’d have let himself be fired. I feel like 🇺🇸died today.

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HungarianAgrarian's avatar

Who will IVC Donald Trump to a Psychiatric facility?

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Janis Mooradian's avatar

NO! He's going to finish what he started.

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Mary's avatar

And he’ll dismiss any and all cases and money he owes while he is president. There is no way out of this nightmare because half the country's lack of ethics, integrity, common sense and morality. And this will be contagious to the rest of the modern world. I just hope climate change hurries up and does us in. Let it heal in time for the flora and fauna. I’m utterly sick of all the corruption and greed and cowardly people who know better.

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chev_chelios's avatar

tRump's main goal was to win the election to stay out of jail...but he should give a big fat kiss on the lips to those 6 SCOTUS justices that helped enable the ahole from being prosecuted altogether...tRump and his lawyers were able to manipulate the legal system like no one ever has....what a f**king joke this country has become.

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Sharon M. Morrison's avatar

I think the Motion is without prejudice because Trump said he would prosecute Jack Smith. Dismissal without prejudice does not say the case was without merit. Rather, it says that the casen has merit but fis being dismissed for some prodedural rule that may be capable of being cured. In other words, once the judge signs the order that is agreed upon by defense counsel, the assumption is that Jack Smith did nothing wrong. (Tried to post this earlier, but it didn’t send. If it did and I’m unaware, apologies.)

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DJT Luvsputin's avatar

Garland needs to do the right thing and release the evidence. He wont.

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Lisa Damico's avatar

I no longer have any words. Not a single word😑

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Susan Brenneman's avatar

Totally gutted. No other words.

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DJT Luvsputin's avatar

The Congressional investigations clearly had evidence and witnesses to hand the DOJ. For some unknown reason Merrick Garland had to think it over for two years. He Jumped right into the Hunter Biden case though.... the Dems need to keep reminding the American public that four separate grand jury's found enough evidence against Trump to indict him with multiple felonys.

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Steve Doll's avatar

I wonder whom the MAGA thugs are threatening or holding hostage to pull this one off.

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mth's avatar

Please provide the link to Smith's letter requesting dismissal?

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Mark's avatar

Just because he’s a politician he gets away with crimes that other Americans would not? 😡 does not look good for the Government

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Teresa L - Gauthier's avatar

Karen means nothing ! The law only applies to to you and me not people with money

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Steve Doll's avatar

As I have said before, we're not only becoming a third world country, we are becoming a turd world country.

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Debbie Ross's avatar

I can't believe that idiot isn't going to be held accountable. I feel so sorry for Mr. Smith. He did his best. Karma is looking down on Trump.

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Ann's avatar

Another crime bites the dust.

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Sharon M. Morrison's avatar

I think the Motion to Dismiss WITHOUT PREJUDICE is because they know that Trump is going to prosecute Jack Smith. Dismissal without prejudice, says it is not dismissed as non-meritorious, but rather for some procedural issue that can be cured and the case can be refuled. Hence, Jack Smith did not do anything wrong.

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Ann's avatar

Another crime bites the dust.

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Jamie Casey's avatar

IMO some deal has been made but that's for me.

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Michele Squires's avatar

That's it for me. If Smith is giving up so am I. I'm fone eith the constant gut punches. The only thing that could change my mind is something historically, stupendously epic done by JOE BIDEN.

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Linda Patch's avatar

Comment, please, on this in-depth piece by Sarah Kendzior on how and why Garland is overtly complicit and not the lawman we think he is.

https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/servants-of-the-mafia-state

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0:44
Trump will be inaugurated as president on January 20th,