Matty Jacobson
As former President Donald Trump navigates a sea of legal challenges, some of his once-loyal allies are abandoning ship. From former lawyers to co-defendants, a growing number of individuals are distancing themselves from Trump, often in the face of their legal woes. Who are these MAGA expats, and what prompted their change of heart?
Sidney Powell Strikes a Deal
Former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell recently pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy to interfere with election duties in Georgia. As part of her plea deal, Powell must testify at future trials and write an apology letter to Georgia residents. Trump quickly distanced himself from Powell, claiming she “was not my attorney, and never was.”
Despite her guilty plea, Powell continues to make election-denying claims on social media. Her dark money group’s newsletter has even suggested that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis “extorted” her guilty plea. The question remains: will Powell’s testimony prove damaging to Trump and his co-defendants?
Kenneth Chesebro Follows Suit
Just a day after Powell’s plea deal, another former Trump lawyer and co-defendant in the RICO case, Kenneth Chesebro, pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to file false documents. Like Powell, Chesebro will be required to testify against other co-defendants and write a letter of apology to Georgia residents.
With two of Trump’s former lawyers turning on him, the pressure on the former president and his remaining co-defendants continues to mount. Will more of his allies follow suit and strike deals with prosecutors?
Trump Organization VP Implicates Trump
Patrick Birney, Trump Organization Vice President of Finance, recently testified in the New York business fraud civil case that Trump instructed his CFO to ensure his net-worth numbers “go up” yearly. While not a defendant himself, Birney’s testimony directly links Trump to accusations of exaggerating his net worth for financial gain.
As more Trump Organization insiders come forward with damaging testimony, the civil fraud case against the former president appears to be gaining steam. Will Birney’s testimony be the tipping point in proving Trump’s culpability?
Michael Cohen: From Fixer to Foe
Once one of Trump’s most trusted “fixers,” former Trump Organization executive and personal lawyer Michael Cohen has become a vocal critic of his former boss. In addition to assisting the New York District Attorney’s office with its criminal probe into Trump, Cohen is set to be a star witness in the civil fraud trial.
Cohen has been outspoken about his disdain for Trump, even gloating after the former president’s indictment in the Stormy Daniels case. With Cohen’s intimate knowledge of Trump’s dealings, his testimony could prove devastating to the former president’s defense.
Georgia State Senator Shawn Still’s Defense
Shawn Still, a Georgia state senator and one of the 19 co-defendants in the Georgia election tampering case, was recently booked into Fulton County Jail. His attorney argued that as a presidential elector, Still acted solely at Trump’s direction and should not be held liable for his actions.
Still’s defense raises questions about the culpability of those who claim to have been acting under Trump’s orders. Will this argument hold up in court, or will Still and others be held accountable for their alleged roles in election tampering?
David Shafer’s Similar Stance
David Shafer, former chair of the Georgia Republican Party and another co-defendant in the Georgia election case, also argued that he “acted at the direction of the incumbent President and other federal officials.” Like Still, Shafer appears to be shifting blame onto Trump and his associates.
As more co-defendants attempt to distance themselves from Trump and claim they were merely following orders, the former president’s legal troubles continue to compound. Will these defenses prove effective, or will they ultimately implicate Trump further?
Cathleen Latham Follows Suit
Cathleen Latham, a local Georgia GOP member and co-defendant in the Georgia elections case, also claimed she only took actions to change election results “at the direction of the President of the United States.” Latham’s defense mirrors those of Still and Shafer, suggesting a coordinated effort to shift blame onto Trump.
With multiple co-defendants pointing the finger at Trump, the pressure on the former president continues to mount. Will these allegations stick, or will Trump find a way to deflect responsibility?
Mar-a-Lago IT Director Cooperates
Yuscil Taveras, a former information technology director at Mar-a-Lago, was asked to delete surveillance footage as Trump’s aides moved classified documents around the property. Instead of complying, Taveras struck a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors and implicated Trump.
Taveras’ cooperation could prove crucial in the Justice Department’s case against Trump regarding the handling of classified documents. As more insiders come forward with damaging information, the former president’s legal woes continue to grow.
Mark Meadows Granted Immunity
Trump’s former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, one of 18 co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case, was granted immunity from criminal prosecution in exchange for his testimony to special counsel Jack Smith. Meadows reportedly told Smith that he repeatedly informed Trump that allegations of significant voter fraud in the 2020 election were baseless.
Meadows’ testimony could prove pivotal in the federal criminal investigations involving Trump. As one of the former president’s closest advisors, Meadows’ insights into Trump’s actions and state of mind could have far-reaching implications.
Jenna Ellis Pleads Guilty
Jenna Ellis, one of three former Trump lawyers indicted alongside him in the Georgia election interference case, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of aiding and abetting false statements and writings as part of a plea agreement. Ellis will serve five years of probation, pay restitution, perform community service, and write an apology letter to the people of Georgia.
Ellis’ guilty plea and cooperation with prosecutors add to the growing list of former Trump allies turning on him. As more of his inner circle strikes deals with investigators, the legal net around the former president appears to be tightening.
The Implications for Trump
As a growing number of former allies distance themselves from Trump and cooperate with prosecutors, the legal challenges facing the former president become increasingly daunting. With multiple criminal and civil cases pending, Trump finds himself in uncharted territory.
While Trump has long maintained his innocence and claimed that the investigations against him are politically motivated, the mounting evidence and testimony from former associates paint a different picture. Will Trump be able to weather this storm, or will the combined weight of his legal troubles prove too much to bear?
The Future of the MAGA Movement
As Trump’s legal woes continue to mount, questions arise about the future of the MAGA movement. With some of his most ardent supporters now turning on him, will Trump be able to maintain his grip on the Republican Party?
While Trump still commands a loyal following, the cracks in his support base are beginning to show. As more damaging information comes to light, will his supporters continue to stand by him, or will they begin to seek out new political leaders?
The Broader Political Implications
The legal challenges facing Trump have implications that extend far beyond his fate. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the Republican Party finds itself at a crossroads.
Will the party continue to align itself with Trump, despite his mounting legal troubles, or will it seek to distance itself from the former president and chart a new course? The answers to these questions will have far-reaching consequences for the future of American politics.
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