In a remarkable turn of events, President Donald Trump has emerged victorious, leaving Vice President Harris and her legal entourage in the cold. Shifting dynamics in the political domain have necessitated adjustments, notably the change of guard in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s career. Smith’s relentless pursuit of a swift verdict in President-elect Trump’s four criminal and two civil cases was unfortunately hindered by a calculated game of patience that extended towards the electoral proceedings in November.
The state prosecution team, including Jack Smith, made their best attempts to steer the court proceedings to an expedited resolution, all to no avail. Their singular success was the Manhattan hush money case, diligently navigated to a positive closure by District Attorney Alvin Bragg. An irrelevant victory, some may argue, as it now remains in the crosshairs of Trump’s victorious resurgence.
While uncertainty hovers over the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on official presidential acts, Bragg’s victory may not have a shelf life. Judge Juan Merchan is yet to make a call on this, putting the spotlight on the fragility of the verdict. The judge is slated to sentence Trump soon but logically, the upcoming presidential tenure could render any judgement moot.
In contrast, the Manhattan jury’s ‘guilty’ verdict was met with a seemingly audacious move from Trump, nominating his prime attorney from the case, Todd Blanche, as deputy attorney general. The President-elect plans to station Blanche under his Attorney General nominee – Congressman Matt Gaetz. Ironically, the man who defended Trump in the courtroom will now be defending the law of the land.
But who is Mr. Todd Blanche? A decorated Ironman triathlete, once an assistant United States attorney, and partner at New York City’s oldest law firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Blanche has had his hand in representing Trump in three crucial criminal cases. Blanche’s adept handling of the cases has not only rendered him vital to Trump but gives an insight into the alliances forming in the new regime.
Adding to the team and stoking the embers of irony is Trump’s plan to nominate Mr. Bove as the principal associate deputy Attorney General. Mr. Bove, like Blanche, was a line prosecutor at the Southern District of New York. It’s like rounding up the legal Avengers to safeguard and support the crown, or in this case, the presidency.
And it wouldn’t be a complete team without yet another stalwart, Aileen Cannon. She marked a noteworthy legal victory for Trump, declaring Jack Smith’s appointment by Attorney General Garland as illegal. The principle of ‘separation of powers’ was at stake according to the judge, who also dismissed all charges against Trump – effectively putting a dent in his opponents’ incessant efforts to belittle him.
Another member of Trump’s defense battalion, Dean John Sauer, is projected to have a prosperous future in the establishment. As an Oxbridge scholar and former Missouri’s solicitor general, Sauer’s pedigree has earned him a US-held soliteranship. His proven mettle in handling the historic immunity case Trump v. United States makes him an invaluable asset to the administration.
Sauer previously represented the president-elect before the none other than the Supreme Court in January, in the landmark case, that is Trump v. United States. The Department of Justice recognizes the role of Solicitor General as overseer and conductor of government litigation before the Supreme Court, typically trusted to robust and efficacious legal brains.
Historically, prominent figures like Elena Kagan, Thurgood Marshall, and Robert Jackson (future high court justices), as well as litigator Ted Olson, President Taft, and Judge Robert Bork have been entrusted with the position of Solicitor General. Despite this illustrious lineage, Sauer has been unsuccessful in obtaining the Court’s approval for his client’s perspective on the Impeachment Judgment Clause, even leaving it up for public mockery.
A lawyer from Trump’s defense team for the January 6 case, Will Scharf, has been chosen to serve in the White House as a staff secretary. Despite an unsuccessful candidacy for Missouri’s Attorney General, Trump referred to him as a ‘highly skilled attorney,’ who figures significantly into the White House team’s future dynamics.
The staff secretary, as some may know, is entrusted with managing the influx of paperwork to the President, a crucial operation within the White House. Mr. Scharf’s legal acumen may, however, be considered misplaced for administrative duties, making it come across as a weak strategy, at best.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have Mr. Smith who previously pursued war crimes prosecution at the Hague. With the tumultuous legal proceedings now behind, his future seems uncertain – there is the possibility of him reverting to the Hague or taking up an academic role at one of the law schools in America.
Yet, in the light of recently unfolded events and Trump’s victory, one could question the efficacy of his previous roles and appointments. His seemingly relentless pursuit of verdicts had proven quite ineffective in the grand scheme, further diminishing his stature in the legal domain.
In essence, as the spotlight shines on Trump’s victory and his carefully selected team of legal stalwarts, the figures seemingly representing the underdogs are left to reassess their respective futures. Whether this contrast stems from a wise strategy or blatant disregard for opponents’ fate is left for the spectators to ponder.
In summary, Trump’s victory has sent waves through the political milieu, causing a reshuffling of power and positions. While he builds a formidable legal team that mocks and ridicules his opponents, some are left in limbo, reeling from the effects of his win.