Lawyers Out There? We Need Some Answers. Today!

I like law stuff and decades ago back in my hometown, my best friend was a lawyer and I learned some stuff.  Enough to be able to understand statutes and even decipher many legal rulings, but also enough to know I’m NOT an actual lawyer and that sometimes it takes someone with an actual JD, and knowledge of a given jurisdiction to understand and explain things.  This is one of those times.

I’ve been hearing and reading lots of commentary/opinions both on Judge Aileen “Loose” Cannon’s getting assigned the Trump National Security (it’s way more than a “documents” case!) case but more importantly whether she will ultimately preside over the whole matter.   I have too many questions at this point, and I fear too much incorrect information is floating around out there.  With Trump’s arraignment set for tomorrow afternoon we all need to know KNOW what Cannon can or cannot do both tomorrow and afterwards to affect the case.  We have more than enough reason to believe she will go to extraordinary lengths to protect Trump.  Even flat-out tank the case for him if she can.

So again, we need not just lawyers but lawyers who know the southern District of FL, and 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and exactly what “Loose Cannon” can or cannot do.  Just as importantly we need to know what is appealable and what it not.  Finally we need to know what, if anything prosecutors can do to if not prevent her from tanking the case so Trump gets off, and the consequences of trying and failing.  So here goes:

• If the worst happens and Cannon dismisses the case, can prosecutors at least appeal?
• If Cannon doesn’t take such a drastic step, will she be allowed to continue to preside if she won’t recuse herself in the interest of maintaining the perception of integrity in the legal system?
• If Cannon will not recuse herself, and is determined to preside where we all KNOW she will run interference, obstruct justice to help Trump can the Chief Judge in her District step in and assign the case to a different judge and if so on what grounds? (more on that to come)
• If prosecutors do have the right to move for a different judge to preside, what are the odds of success?  And the consequences/potential consequences of failing?
• If Cannon can only be removed for cause, what might she do that would provide grounds to have her removed? If what I know, or think I know is correct Cannon doesn’t have to dismiss the case
• If what I know, or think I know is accurate there are ways short of dismissing the case that Cannon can help Trump.  Such as setting a trial date that’s well outside normal federal guidelines.  Can that be appealed?  After all while like any defendant Trump  has the right to a fair and speedy trial (defendants can and do usually waive the speedy trial laws/guidelines) but prosecutors also have a client – the people of these United States which also have rights.
• As with any trial there are pre-trial motions and about more than when a case will go to trial.  Rulings about what and will not be admitted into evidence can and do have enormous impact on how a trial will unfold and affect the outcome.  What type of decisions on pre-trial motions can be appealed and what can’t?

I’m sure other questions will occur to me as the morning proceeds.  But we need answers to everything I’ve noted in clear, concise language, and from people who are lawyers who know and have worked where this will all take place.

Now.  Today.  By late this afternoon.

We already know Aileen “Loose” Cannon is in the tank for Trump.  She has no f**ks to give as the saying goes.  Hell, she might have delusions of grandeur about Trump sleazing and sliming his way back into the WH and elevating her to a higher court.  That like Brewski Brett Kavanaugh she can do a short appellate stint and wind up on SCOTUS!   People can talk themselves into all kinds of nonsense.

But if Cannon is beyond shame and doesn’t care about public pressure to do the right thing and recuse herself later today or in the morning (and she won’t recuse – not a chance in hell) even if it means a day’s delay in the arraignment while a new judge is assigned maybe pressure on the Chief Judge and others might get her the hell removed.

So again I say the country needs to know, and it needs to be talked about and a LOT every hour in the news and on social media tonight and tomorrow morning what she can do to both help Trump and cripple the prosecution.

And we need actual legal experts that know federal law, and the jurisdiction to provide us answers.