His NY concealed carry license was suspended following his indictment in April, 2023. Two of his 3 guns were then turned over to NYPD, but 1 was "lawfully removed" to Mar-A-Lago.
There have been a flood of Trump convicted cartoons published since yesterday. Normally, I republish cartoons based on some theme or subject (& I'll work thru all of them this way over time) but these 8 struck me as being the "best" of today's large crop, so enjoy.
"Just minutes after the verdict was announced, the Trump campaign sent out a fund-raising email in which Trump said, in all capital letters, “I am a political prisoner!” - Michael Gold, NYT
Today's historical event has lifted my optimism higher than it has been in many years.
I hope you all join me in celebrating today's verdict, in this never ending nightmare of Trump lies and criminality that we all have been burdened with.
"Sentencing is set for July 11 at 10 a.m.
That will put sentencing four days before the beginning of the Republican National Convention, at which Trump is expected to receive the party’s presidential nomination." - Michael Gold, Jesse McKinley, NYT
Holy Moses!
"Donald J. Trump has been convicted of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his ascent to the White House in 2016, part of a scheme that prosecutors described as a fraud on the American people. He is the first American president to be declared a felon, a stain he will carry as he seeks to regain the presidency." - Jonah E. Bromwich and Ben Protess, NYT #trumptrial#hushmoney
"As the judge has re-read his instructions to the jury, Trump has had his eyes closed, and his chin has sometimes slumped to his chest. At other times, his head has been slightly pitched back, like a man tanning." - Jesse McKinley, NYT
Each page yesterday took him just a little more than a minute, so this will take >30 mins.
Between that & the testimony readbacks, also expected to take >30 mins, there will likely be >1 hour this morning w/the jury in the courtroom, not actively deliberating.
Another witness —who had no connection to the falsification of business records— was #StormyDaniels, whose #HushMoney from Cohen is what was covered up. Susan Necheles, the defense lawyer w/the most trial experience on Trump's team, worked aggressively to sow doubts about Daniels’s story w/the jury.
Justice #Merchan is done, & now the court reporter will read the #testimony. 2 court reporters will read. The first explains that she is the “lawyer” & that her colleague, on the witness stand is “David Pecker.” They start w/ testimony pertaining to a phone call that #Pecker & #Trump had in June 2016, acc/to Pecker’s testimony.
David #Pecker testified that #Trump acknowledged speaking to #MichaelCohen about the issue & acknowledged knowing #KarenMcDougal, one of the women who was eventually paid to keep quiet during the 2016 campaign about her story of having had an affair w/ Trump.
“Karen is a nice girl,” Trump said on this call, according to Pecker’s testimony.
Marc F. Scholl, who served in the Manhattan DA’s office for nearly 4 decades, specializing in white-collar crimes & appeals, said: “Recently, there has been some slight loosening about whether it can be done w/ the defense’s consent, but it remains a minefield that judges do not want to risk.”
The #verdict must be unanimous on the primary crime falsification of business records.
Once #jurors inform the court they have reached a verdict, Justice Juan #Merchan will summon the parties to the courtroom to hear it read by the foreperson.
Merchan must still affirm the verdict & enter a final judgment.
Here’s a fun idea for the media covering the #hushmoney trial. Next time Trump leaves the courtroom prepared to serve up his bowl of lies don’t show up. No reporters, no cameras… just an empty hallway.
Juan M. Merchan's instructions to the jury, that serve as a guide to applying the law, in the Donald J. Trump Hush Money trial deliberations.
54 pages in the linked NYT PDF below.
Reading the first three pages frames the seriousness and focus needed for 12 jurors to proceed in their incredibly important civic duty. We should be reminded that we are all protected under the same due process as this former president of the United States. https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/d458fdbff3cd7a41/84784522-full.pdf #trumptrial#hushmoney#jury
Tues 29 May 2024 🧵
Good morning! It’s the last day of the #TrumpTrial before jury #deliberations.
Today Justice #Merchan will give #JuryInstructions. Then they will discuss the case among themselves for the first time; they have not been allowed to even discuss it w/each other as yet.
Closing arguments took place yesterday, & the lawyers will have no further opportunity to address the jurors before they determine whether #Trump is #guilty or not guilty of 34 felonies.
Yes, this just happened, court is still very much in session. Only the jury was dismissed.
There’s agreement on the jurors’ 1st, 2nd & 4th requests.
1st was #Pecker’s testimony about a call he had w/ #Trump in June 2016.
2nd was Pecker’s testimony on financial arrangements for #KarenMcDougal’s #HushMoney.
4th was #MichaelCohen’s testimony on the Aug 2015 #TrumpTowerMeeting w/ Pecker & Trump.
The only portion that is disputed involves Pecker's testimony about the same meeting.
Court has now adjourned for the day. Justice #Merchan did not determine exactly which portions of the transcript related to #Pecker’s testimony woll be read aloud to the #jury.
We’ll find out tomorrow morning.