MW Trump's legal cases: Here's where they stand post-debate and before the Supreme Court immunity decision
By Lukas I. Alpert
The cost of defending himself in the cases has strained Trump's campaign coffers
President Joe Biden's faltering performance captured the spotlight during the presidential debate, but the candidates did spend time tussling over a topic that could pose a challenge, at least financially, for Donald Trump - his legal woes.
From issues revolving around the former president's role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to his conviction for trying to hide payments to a porn star and others to help cover up stories about extramarital affairs, Trump's ongoing court cases took up some airtime during the first matchup of 2024 between the two candidates.
Trump is awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether a president would be immune from criminal prosecution for all actions taken while in office, a decision expected by Monday.
On the debate stage, Trump attempted to minimize the impact of his legal woes on his ability to serve as president. He disputed the legitimacy of the charges and pointed to the recent conviction of Biden's son Hunter for illegally procuring a handgun while battling drug addiction.
Though the exchanges didn't capture many debate headlines, Trump's cases have put considerable strain on his personal and campaign coffers, with much of his campaign funds being used for his legal defense. It is estimated that Trump and his campaign have had to spend over $100 million to defend him.
Here is where Trump's various legal issues currently stand.
Capitol riots
The most sweeping case Trump faces revolves around his alleged role in attempts to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election results and in instigating the riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress met to certify the results declaring Biden the winner.
A trial in the case, which was brought last year by special prosecutor Jack Smith, is currently on hold, awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on claims of immunity by Trump for any actions taken while he was in office.
On Friday, the Supreme Court threw a monkey wrench into the proceedings by ruling that federal prosecutors had too broadly interpreted an obstruction statute in bringing charges against a Pennsylvania police officer who allegedly took part in the riots. The decision could affect about 250 of the 1,400 or so cases brought so far in the wake of the violence, including the case against Trump.
Trump faces four charges in the case, one of which was the obstruction charge that has now been sent back down to a lower court for reconsideration in the case of the police officer. Trump would still face three other counts of conspiracy and fraud even if the obstruction charge is thrown out.
On his social-media platform, Truth Social $(DJT)$, Trump called the ruling "big news" and a "massive victory" for Jan. 6 defendants.
Classified documents
Trump faces a separate case brought by Smith in Florida, relating to boxes of classified documents he retained after leaving office and then refused to give back when requested to do so by the National Archive.
That case is also on hold. Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee and the judge overseeing the case, has declined to set a trial date as she slowly works through a number of pretrial motions.
Prosecutors say Trump brazenly tried to hide the documents from the FBI, shared some with people not authorized to view them and stored them in an unsecured bathroom and closet at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.
Trump, who faces 40 counts in the case, has pleaded not guilty.
Georgia election interference
State prosecutors in Georgia have brought racketeering charges against Trump along with 18 others, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, for allegedly conspiring to illegally overturn the 2020 election results in that state.
That case has also been delayed, as defense attorneys raised allegations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had an inappropriate relationship with the lead prosecutor in the case.
A judge ruled that the lead prosecutor be removed from the case but said Willis could stay on, a decision that Trump and his co-defendants have appealed.
Hush money
The only case Trump has faced that has been mostly resolved was one brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg involving hush-money payments to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels and others in an effort to make potentially damaging stories alleging extramarital affairs go away.
Trump was found guilty in late May on 34 counts of falsifying business records, making him the first former president ever to become a convicted felon. Trump faces up to four years behind bars when he is sentenced on July 11. Trump has vowed to appeal, meaning it is unlikely he could end up in prison before the election.
Civil fraud case
Trump is also in the midst of appealing a civil-case verdict that found he had repeatedly lied on loan and insurance applications for his real-estate empire in order to get preferential rates. He has been ordered to pay $454 million in penalties in the case.
In late April, Trump managed to forestall the possibility that New York Attorney General Letitia James could begin seizing his properties when an appellate court reduced the size of the bond he was required to post in order to appeal the verdict, from the full $454 million to $175 million.
Trump was able to come up with the money, and the case will likely remain under appeal for years.
-Lukas I. Alpert
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 30, 2024 08:07 ET (12:07 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Comments