Fred’s Weekly Note Archive

Why The Manhattan Criminal Trial Is So Dangerous For Trump

“The allegations are in substance, that Donald Trump falsified business records to conceal an agreement with others to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election.” – Judge Juan Merchan In that single sentence, Judge Juan Merchan summed up the essence of the criminal case brought against former President Donald Trump by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg. Judge Merchan, […]

Trump’s Moment Of Truth Begins April 15

Former President Donald Trump is less than two weeks away from his first criminal trial – the Manhattan hush money/election interference case, scheduled to start on April 15. Trump may finally have met his match in Judge Juan Merchan, who presides in this case. And, judging by Trump’s recent attacks on the judge and on […]

Don’t Call It “Just A Hush Money” Case

On April 15, an unprecedented trial is scheduled to begin in Manhattan. It constitutes the first criminal trial of a former President in American history. Last April, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced a 34-count felony indictment against former President Donald Trump. This criminal case is often described simply as a “hush money” case, but that […]

Speaker Johnson, The House, & Ukraine Funding

A funding package focused mainly on military assistance for Ukraine and Israel, and humanitarian aid, has been stymied in the House of Representatives since the Senate passed a bipartisan $95-billion package in February by a 70-to-29 vote. The legislation has been sitting in the House as Ukraine’s ammunition supply dwindles and the country becomes increasingly vulnerable […]

United States v. Donald J. Trump

United States v. Donald J. Trump, the criminal case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, may be the most important criminal case in American history. The case deals with then-President Trump’s unprecedented attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his inciting the violent January 6 mob attack on the Capitol. And, […]

The SOTU: Biden Is Right – Congress Must Pass The Freedom To Vote And John R. Lewis Voting Rights Acts

“A transformational moment in history happened 59 years ago today in Selma, Alabama. Hundreds of foot soldiers for justice marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge – named after the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan – to claim their fundamental right to vote. “They were beaten. They were bloodied and left for dead. Our […]

The Supreme Court Takes On Trump’s Immunity Appeal

Yesterday the Supreme Court announced it will take up former President Donald Trump’s immunity appeal, scheduling oral argument for the week of April 22. This prevents the criminal trial against Trump from moving forward until the Court decides the appeal. Trump’s immunity claim that he is protected from criminal prosecution for actions taken while President […]

Four Things To Know About Trump’s Upcoming Election Interference Trial In New York

Keep your eyes on the upcoming 2016 election interference/hush money trial of former President Donald Trump. It may be the sleeper of the four criminal cases pending against him. The case involves a 34-felony count indictment brought against Trump by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg and a grand jury of his peers. Scheduled to begin on March 25, […]

A Pivotal Week For 5 Trump Cases

This could turn out to be a pivotal week in the four criminal cases and one civil case facing former President Donald Trump. Here’s a recap of where these cases stand. The Special Counsel January 6 Case We are headed for a showdown at the Supreme Court in the most consequential case facing Trump – […]

SCOTUS Now Holds The Key On Immunity

On Tuesday, February 6, a D.C. Circuit Court three-judge panel issued an opinion that rejected former President Donald Trump’s claim that he has absolute immunity against criminal prosecution for actions he took while President. Their unanimous decision upholds our nation’s foundational principle that no one – not even a former President – is above the law. The […]