In this new video, provided ad-free to Meidas+ subscribers exclusively, Legal AF host Michael Popok discusses Special Counsel Jack Smith's final moves in handling the criminal prosecutions against Donald Trump, as the Republican-controlled congress prepares to investigate Smith. The hunter has become the hunted.
Smith is officially shutting down his cases related to Trump’s mishandling of documents at Mar-a-Lago and his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and a report will be prepared for the Justice Department that shows all the evidence that Smith gathered over the course of his investigations.
That report must be made public so that everyone can see the crimes Trump allegedly committed. Garland could refuse to make the report public like AG Barr did, but in these extraordinary times it must be acknowledged that if Garland refuses it will be the end of any record of Trump’s crimes. As President, Trump will make that evidence disappear.
This is Garland’s last chance to get this right. Popok also acknowledges that this extreme SCOTUS could block any attempt to release the report given that Trump is the incoming President. But Garland has to try. The Jack Smith investigation is over, but it should not be lost to history. The American people need to know exactly what Trump and his cronies are guilty of.
While these investigations may be winding down, our investigative reporting is only ramping up. Independent media is now more important than ever. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber now to keep our work going.
Disgusting this wasn't started 2 years earlier; we likely wouldn't be fighting literal dictatorship now.
Correct
It takes a lot of time to investigate the entirety of what Trump did, said, conferred with, provided information from whom and to whom, what actions T took and what he asked for and from whom, what he actually took…a full inventory of documents and why they should have NOT been removed and why, who might he shared information with and their clearance level if any and country of residence, and so much more.
The biggest question is…. How can T be held accountable in the future to ensure 1) this doesn’t happen again 2) how any actions by T affect National Security and with what int’l players with documentation (email, phone calls, personal delivery), etc.
There was so much to be investigated because it was Pandora’s box, one opening created new doors which created more and more doors. A treasure trove of national security was and will be again because of T’s willingness to sell out the U.S. for a buck in his pocket because he’s a HORRIBLE person, business man, politician, potus, and former potus, etc.
I hope whatever charges Smith was going to bring will be brought at the end of his term, because there is no statute of limitation on selling out your country to enrich yourself and your business, for any reason!
Yes and because it does take a lot of time but we already had a ton of evidence coming out of the impeachment hearings the appointment of the special counsel could have started far earlier - As in, immediately.
I think he is immune now correct
Nope this last report is revised to show he did not act as president- but as a sneaky conspirator.
Smith has a team of attorneys that knew just how to break through the immunity BS it’s not known what’s ahead but I’m sure this is only the beginning - Trump is in my opinion a career criminal and stupid enough to think he’s home free with immunity
He is wrong - after reading page I of this file it’s shows no presidential action !
What I find interesting is how the Republicans in congress are all pretending that Trump is normal - here he is committing crimes while president and in most of the crimes of overturning the election, he had to drag so many ppl into it including congressman themselves Jordan MTG McCarthy and 25 others who were sending texts to the COS meadows to stop trumps thugs from beating up
Now we’re just seeing more ppl involved with plan B (my words) this time Attorneys of Ill repute all willing to commit felonies. Why? What do they gain personally? They all seem to think plan A the supporters stopping congress count .
All are for it
Until the beatings started - it’s like these idiots didn’t think that
1- these supporters would have to break into the capitol - they knew it was locked (Covid) smashing their way in is crime#]. 1 didn’t someone have a key ?
2/ why so many 8000 . Gee no one will see them sneak in .
3/ hang Mike Pence -
4/ seeing beatings in real time - how can anyone believe edit films -
These people were just pathetically bad at this “plan”
Trump has been caught many times in his life as a criminal got out of it never stopped and I think he never will
He thinks he is smarter than cops /prosecutors
I think he is stupid to do all these damaging acts of criminal just to keep his get out of jail card - in the end Trump is just a criminal and a stupid president -I would guess he will commit another crime as soon as he starts his removing immigrants . What do you bet ?
But now he's been elected and his plan is to have absolute power absolutely and he has appointed people who will allow him to do it as well.
We are in a very serious position right now and it ain't funny.
Just because he has people, doesn’t and won’t ever make his actions right. Jack Smith’s charges can be refiled as soon as he’s no longer president. I certainly hope he or whoever in the justice dept at the time, will refile charges the minute a new democratic president is in office….in four years.
Trump wasn't the President when he refused to return the stolen classified documents, so no immunity there.
Admit it DOJ- you allowed a criminal escape justice and this timing led th MSM to develops stories of brutal beatings of police appear necessary to the president of US as the work of presidential immunity-
This entire episode of a US president who failed all of us we hen he could not accept that he lost .
His crimes were vicious to police who stood up refusing more than. 109 violent thugs to get by them
As the beatings continued trumpsat watching on Tv in the White House kitchen. Everyone present begged Trump to send these thugs away - Trump wanted none of their demands as if he expected these cops to give up and let the thugs find congressmen. None of that happened . I remember that hour whe Trump finall came out and said “ I know you’re hurt!” T I these guys who slaughtered the cops slipping in their own blood . Falling on amassed glass and drenched in the floors urine that these vicious thugs had peed on the walls and floor . It had to be humiliating for these men to endure. Trump went on saying the election was stolen and everyone knows it - you are very special ! ….,
How can our government fail us by not arresting . Anyone that night .
We watched in horror he vicious attack on the US capitol-
Trump should have been impeach ed ! Republicans are a disgrace and should not be reelected
He’s only immune for “official acts of the presidency” not any acts for personal gain.
A lot of ppl are saying that - however Trump is very good ant sending out his thugs to intimidate anyone for any reason . That’s a possibility- he had a NY trial that was marked with shrouding witnesses and even jury’s were protected by having shrouded their names or addresses.
Judges daughter had been given special escort due to threats the judge himself was smeared daily
By Trump to his last day in court blaming the judge for getting convicted .
Even congressmen republicans are harassed when it comes to Trump . They were threatened by thugs ias they voted he be convicted and impeached .
We don’t know if garland has been threatened or not but I would not be surprised if he was. That’s why he announced special counsel the pressure to do something - got fearless Smith
It's extremely important to release the final report. It can be used in Jack's Smith defense when the hounds come for him. If not, they will destroy it and leave him hanging. The public needs to know before the attacks and lies that are coming soon, by Crooked Trump and his corrupt DOJ.
From what I have read from page one - I saw the attorneys who were later arrest
Powell Ellis and chesbro (?) are 3 who it was reported in detail about the deals they made with prosecutors. They were admitting their guilt in exchange for some of the charges dropped but they had to testify against Trump I read this in The Washington Post -
It’s interesting to read that Trump had told them to lie or make up evidence - that hardly qualifies as presidential duty .
Even if no trial is had we can be sure Trump is not innocent of that entire act of conspiring with attorneys .
Yes this report should be released .
Jack Smith probably has to leave the country as soon as this report is published.
Wish I was kidding.
Smith should release the whole thing to wiki leaks certainly there is no newspaper in America they would have the colones to publish.
I doubt Garland would do the right thing now .
He had 4 years and did nothing
Agree. I highly doubt it.
If it is not officially released, hopefully it will be leaked.
Again, those who care to know will pour over every page and nod in agreement. Those who couldn't care less, (surprise) will continue to not care. It's a shame that America thought trying out a criminal as a president sounded like a viable idea. 🤬🤬🤬
Garland will refuse to release the report. He is complicit in all of it and does not want the truth to be revealed. Jack Smith, a fine and honest attorney, was used by Garland to pretend that action was being taken to prosecute Trump. I hope Smith can get himself and his family out of the country before the baying mobs come for him.
President Biden MUST nominate Jack Smith for the Federa bench. NOW.
Too many MAGAs around the halls to get that done?
If he would take it even?
It baffles me how all these blatantly corrupt antics are going on and we're all just sitting back and watching the show - waiting for the end of our democracy. I just don't get it!
Why hasn't anyone been successful at getting rid of this nazi
Because enough of us did not go out to vote we lost the election. Because we lost the election we lost the initiative, which means we are now the opposition. We are being put in a position of reacting to whatever they come up with. He's not yet president, so at this stage it's mostly just rhetoric. At this point what would you suggest we do?
I mean I have a few fatally horrible ideas, but nothing I would actually do. I can hope
Even that is suspicious now what with Putin demanding he be repaid for the favor of getting Trump elected.
Oh yeah but according to these maga people Democrat bad, Putin good cuz Trump likes him. Nevermind that they have no free speech the very thing all these hideous Nazis adore
Garland needs to do his job and stop acting spineless. As I have said before, why are these people in office and do nothing for the American public. I am sick and tired of Democrats letting these criminals destroy the country, but then again, why am I surprised, I am a black woman in America, a place where we have always been devalued, unrightfully. American officials need to do right by its citizens.
Yeah bullshit! I'm native American and I know Trump has fucked us in the past but most of my cousins voted against their interests
I will believe Garland will release the report when I see it.
It’s just a matter of when, not if….
I hope YOU are right!
I call my Senators, House Rep and Senate Leader Schumer every damned day. They are accountable to me!
Start calling some of the Republicans cuz they represent us too
I sent a message to Garland imploring him to release the report when it's submitted...not that he'll give a fuck but it's what I can do so I did it 🤷♀️. I kept myself from quoting Roy Batty about how (if the evidence is not made public) "all those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain," but honestly I wanted to since we might be headed toward a far worse dystopia than that depicted in Bladerunner.
I am a senior citizen and don't feel able to afford $100 a year for meidas. I have made donations in the past and I'd like to ask if you get off for a special senior rate for $50 a year. Thank you.
You don't have to pay for MTN you just won't have the in depth stuff.
I'm so angry that he's getting away with everything, and he bought this election
Leak the fucking shit if you have to. Fuck the unsupreme court.
Garland my have been an honest AG....but he was also a limp dishrag who ended up screwing the American people of their right to see justice done...
Can't Biden Pardon Smith before any prosecution?
And why would anyone in DOJ do anything different from what they have been? Garland hasn't done anything in timely manner
My faith in Garland is long gone. I feel at best he's MAGA bought, at worse a snivelling coward. My guess is both.
We are SICK of reports: there is no value when the public sees that JUSTICE has NOT been served .
But that is exactly the value; that the public sees it. That's the only way the public can give it value. Otherwise it's potential value is lost.
But I think we have seen reports..and then justice delayed and delayed until we have a felon in the WH. So when does the value of those reports move the very slow wheels of Justice?
At this point I don't think it does bring justice through the courts. That's why it's important for the public to see it.
Smells like Putin
Smith should make his report public. Or "someone" should leak it. Soldiers die to defend our country, a lawyer should be willing to risk losing their license over something this important.
Leak the damn report!
Leak it! We need to know….
A patriot needs to leak it. That’s how the fascist Republicans would do it.
The tax payers paid for this information gathering. The report belongs to us Just leak it Jack, if you have to....
WILL Garland allow the presentation of Trump's crimes? So far he has been as inert and passive as possible. He sat on his hands for two full years before turning the dirty work over to Smith, and in those two years our chance to retain our republic diminished with every day of inaction. It is almost like he was directed not to prosecute Trump. Wow. what a concept that most of us figured out right away and certainly his proclamations of "no man is above the law" were and are empty, empty, empty.
My guess is he reveals nothing. God forbid he comes across as being "too political."
IF he does, the GQP will deny/deflect/accuse/project and NO ONE in that party will ever hold Trump accountable for anything. He has them 100% completely cowed.
The Democrats with thrash around helplessly (because we are) with zero results.
MSNBC anchors heads will be ablaze.
FOX will be aghast at "the lies!" and "the weaponization of the DOJ against Trump!"
And the NYT, WaPo, etc etc will report "Biden fell asleep at 5:00 last night. World fears for the next two months with too tired leader." Also - it was Jill's fault."
"Trump makes plans to move into White House. Jeff Bezos offers discount Amazon items to redecorate."
Biden is Trump's biggest enabler, aided by his terrible pick of Merrick Garland as AG. Biden's arrogance and ego have destroyed America. No satisfaction in knowing that Trump won't be the leader of the free world, for America is no longer part of the free world.
Dik,
You make some salient and valid arguments.
Sadly, I must agree.
Since all that can be done now is to have Garland release the report once Smith is done, how/what can we do to make sure he does. How do we force his hand?
We, the people, NEED to know all that Jack Smith uncovered. Those who voted for DJT NEED to see the evidence in both cases! We have been waiting too long and have endured so much trash and lying for too many years now! Merrick Garland, do not fail us again! This is not political, this is Democracy! Look at the results of the truth being buried while lies have been allowed to flourish, only to divide our people more and more! Enough! Look at what has happened to us as justice has been delayed. We had the opportunity when the Senate had the ability to convict and denounce the actions of January 6. Even the majority of the Senate agreed that what happened was wrong, but they decided to fail us all. I feel diminished as a citizen because of choices that were made that were political, not for "we, the people". Not for justice, the Constitution, not for the truth!
My thing is what does all this matter nothing's going to be done to Donald Trump they're not going to pick it up later he can't be charged later so it really doesn't matter anymore
Garland fucked us majorly.
Sure, he has to release the report. Absolutely certainly he won’t. Neither will we see the result of the ethics investigation into Matt Getz. None of these people will ever suffer the consequences of their crimes. We won’t even be told what they are. Your country is under the control of very evil people and they are not going to let go of it. I don’t know how you are going to recover.
I would love to be financially able to become a paid up member to support the wonderful work done by all the staff at MTN and Meidas+. I rely on a disability support pension so I have an extremely low amount of disposable money available at the end of each fortnight
Can I suggest that you make it possible for people in my situation to make donations to your cause when they are able to make them?
Maybe when they have donated $15 (closer to $20+ because I live in Australia) these casual donors could become paid up members. The alternative would be something like Afterpay or similar, but I believe they do have minimum spend amounts or they charge a $10+ fee each month. Maybe that is not a good idea.
I get it U.S.A., naturally the latest administration are doing the gracious thing. I mean, our King Edward VIII could have faced charges of treachery in 1945 after his involvement with Hitler, but was graciously allowed to disappear to insignificance in the hidden eschelons of France. Largely then, it is for the best interests of the U.S. internationally that Jack Smith is doing what he's doing.
We all feel the same thing about justice and no one is fooled. Trump cannot project anything we know not to be true.
Someone referred to Garland "Acting spineless". The problem is, he's not acting. If he had a spine, the American people would have known the truth long before this and the results of our last (and I mean that possibly in every sense of the word) election would have been different.
Obstructing the vote was while he was still president. He will surely need to be impeached by the midterms. Throw it into the evidence bin.
Drip, drip, drip…
Do I hear a LEAK.... LOL
Would it really matter?? I don’t think anyone cares.
And the written for history idea is a joke. The Archives have been whitewashing information, OUR history, for months at least. Extremely sad.
There are those that care. The system doesn't.
If people cared to pay attention then he wouldn’t be president now
I do not trust Garland to live up to this standard. He is a bought and paid for Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society sycophant. He is a mole a deep operative placed to disrupt and delay. He will do nothing.
The Supreme Court can't prohibit the publication of the report without engaging in an unconstitutional prior restraint.
This ECOTUS (Extreme Court 9
of The US); could care less about The Constitution. They want to re write it : plain and simple.
True dat.
My head is exploding. We had a stark choice in this election but we picked the criminal. Now it’s up to us to get this mess righted. Merrick Garland could inspire us all if he grows a pair and releases the report.
He will not
Michael. And Ben. And Karen. GUYS.
You do realise that you are working in, and against, the most corrupt law and order system in the free world.
All of your knowledge and experience is worth NOTHING.
Everything you have explained to us over the last 8 years has also come to NOTHING.
Donald Trump has outsmarted you guys, every judge in the country, and the Supreme Court!
AND, he was assisted by a greedy, corrupt bunch of your own fellow Lawyers who are just criminals in suits!
Trump has made a mockery of the Judicial system of America, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it!
In spite of your efforts, and everyone else who knows that this guy is guilty of everything he was indicted for, he has walked away Scot free yet again. How on earth he has NEVER been held accountable for his crimes, for more than 50+ years, tells us that law and order in America, is no better than you would find in a Third World country run by a Despot!
As many others following this info belongs to the American people the republicans are guilty of treason. The justice dept is lead by a gutless individual, who has slow walked this whole 4 years. These bastards should have been in jail a long time ago. We need people who can stand up for the Constitution and damn all of these criminals. Am sorry to say I have no confidence in the Pres or the FBI to drill down into this.
They closed my Facebook my WhatsApp Messenger my télégramme they trying to ....
Help me please
Is this report a Top Secret document? If it isn't, should it be treated as such and can a valid Freedom of Information request be filed to get it released in an expedited manner?
Now is not time for the application of arbitrary “norms” that may have fit our context 10+ years ago. The Rs fight dirty. We can fight back … And have to.
Trump gets off again. If you have money & power you are above the laws in this country. Great example for the children of this country,
My bet is that Garland does not release the report. Why would he suddenly show any concern for justice? He was a complete coward and failed in his job. Disgusting. History will not be kind to him.
If history is any indication,SCOTUS will block the release. Hopefully there are some pro democracy types who can leak the report, or the criminal trump will continue his crime spree unabated...
Becha Garland is too chick**sh** to do it. Is there ANY chance for Trump to be dethroned 4 years from now so that these charges can be resurrected against a second-time ex-president/private citizen? Or is that double jeopardy?
Merrick Garland needs to do this, but (I'm afraid) he lacks the guts. If he had guts and a sense of urgency, we wouldn't be staring this fascist dictator wannabe in the face right now.
I absolutely agree with this wholeheartedly but I do not have confidence that AG Merrick Garland will do right by us! I don’t know if it was fear, the obsessive need to keep the DOJ non partisan, or the fact that he has given talks at the federalist society…he along with the entire justice system has failed us! I will not put anymore in wasted hope into anything I cannot rely on!
My thing is what does all this matter nothing's going to be done to Donald Trump they're not going to pick it up later he can't be charged later so it really doesn't matter anymore
Garland is the most useless AG ever.
Absolutely!
Isn’t AG GRarland going to need a PUSH to make this happen
I absolutely need to see these reports. It’s the least the AG can do after all his earlier dilly dallying.
He could write a book - it may take several volumes. Then donate proceeds to a charity.
So amusing. Michael Popok speaks as if this is still America. Silly. Merrick Garland is peeing his little pants in fear of Donald Trump... as always, and he won't dare to cross his dear leader in advance.
I would like to see this report I’m a subscriber and when I start to read this report I finish one page then I seem to get blocked to see the next page
I have two posts from these publications that’s been removed, and I won’t try to post on FB until the review I requested is done. I am not giving up , I might have to find a different social site other than FB.
This is beyond disgusting! Is Smith scared of what Trump will do to him? Shutting it down was the last option I expected. It also sends a bad, bad sign that lawyers can be intimidated. It's vital that these records are shared with the public.
It’s great most likely the report is going to come out, but none of his cult leaders will read it. Anyone who has already read the indictments or watch the January 6 case testimonies already know all of this what in there could possibly be that much more damming ?
I think garlic has no interest in releasing any info on the king . Had he really bin concerned he could have brought the charges with in the first 90 days
Can't the DC judge release everything she has?
Yes. Please make the investigation's findings public NOW.
If the names of the co-conspiritors are shown, and not kept redacted, does that stop the state from going after each of those people who don't hear immunity?