Prison fears mount as Jack Smith wins coup subpoena clash

The legal battle between former President Donald Trump and special counsel Jack Smith took a dramatic turn on Tuesday, when a federal judge rejected Trump’s attempt to block Smith from obtaining records from the House January 6 Committee. The ruling is a major victory for Smith, who is prosecuting Trump for his role in the deadly insurrection that aimed to overturn the 2020 election results.

Trump had argued that the committee’s records, which include phone logs, text messages, emails, and other documents related to the events of January 6, were protected by executive privilege and irrelevant to Smith’s case. He also claimed that Smith was trying to “relitigate” the election and interfere with his political rights. But U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson dismissed Trump’s arguments as “meritless” and “specious”, and ordered him to comply with Smith’s subpoena by December 15.

Judge Jackson wrote that Smith had shown a “legitimate need” for the records, which could shed light on Trump’s actions and communications before, during, and after the attack on the Capitol. She also noted that Trump had waived any claim of executive privilege by publicly discussing the events of January 6 and by encouraging his allies to cooperate with the committee. She added that Trump’s claim of irrelevance was “astonishing”, given that Smith’s indictment alleges that Trump conspired to obstruct Congress’s certification of the election results on January 6.

The judge’s ruling is a major setback for Trump, who faces four counts of conspiracy, obstruction, and incitement related to the January 6 riot. Smith has accused Trump of orchestrating a “seditious plot” to retain power by spreading lies about the election, pressuring state and federal officials to overturn the results, and inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol. Smith has also named several unindicted co-conspirators, including former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who could face charges in the future.

Trump’s legal woes are compounded by the revelations in a new book by former Rep. Liz Cheney, who chaired the House January 6 Committee until she was ousted by her party for her stand against Trump. In her memoir, Oath and Honor, Cheney calls Trump the “most dangerous man to inhabit the oval office” and exposes his efforts to undermine the election and the Constitution. She also details the threats and intimidation she faced from Trump and his allies, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whom she describes as a “pathetic figure” who “betrayed his oath”.

Cheney’s book, which was released on Monday, has already become a bestseller and has received praise from critics and readers alike. Cheney, who lost her seat in the 2022 midterm elections, has hinted at a possible presidential run in 2024 as a third-party candidate. She has vowed to continue her fight against Trump and his “cult of personality”, and to defend the rule of law and the principles of democracy.

As Trump faces the prospect of a trial and a possible prison sentence, his supporters are becoming increasingly desperate and violent. According to a recent report by the FBI, the threat of domestic terrorism from Trump loyalists remains high, and there are indications of more plots to attack government buildings and officials. The report also warns of the potential for violence during the 2024 election cycle, especially if Trump decides to run again.

The January 6 Committee, which is still conducting its investigation, has issued dozens of subpoenas to Trump associates, witnesses, and organizers of the rally that preceded the riot. The committee has also requested interviews with Trump himself, as well as with former Vice President Mike Pence, who was targeted by the mob for refusing to overturn the election. The committee plans to release its final report by the end of 2024, and to make recommendations for preventing future attacks on the democratic process.

The fate of Trump, and of the nation, now rests on the outcome of Smith’s prosecution and the committee’s inquiry. As the evidence mounts against Trump and his co-conspirators, the question remains: will justice be served, and will democracy prevail?