Judge: Trump Could Be Partially Responsible for Jan. 6 Riot Despite Lack of Direct Order

[Social Media]

 

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has indicated that former President Donald Trump could still be partially responsible for the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, even if he did not explicitly order the rioters to storm the Capitol. In a significant ruling on Wednesday, Chutkan dismissed most of the requests for discovery from Trump's legal team in his ongoing 2020 election subversion case, suggesting that responsibility for the attack could be shared, regardless of direct involvement.

 

In her 50-page ruling, Judge Chutkan wrote, "It is entirely conceivable, for instance, that Defendant could share responsibility for the events of January 6 without such express authorization of rioters’ criminal actions." This remark was made in response to concerns raised by Trump’s attorneys about conflicting statements from law enforcement regarding the former president's role in inciting the rioters.

 

Trump's legal team had cited past court cases involving Capitol rioters, pointing out that prosecutors were unable to identify any remarks from Trump explicitly authorizing the violence. As part of their defense, his lawyers requested access to all documents related to statements made by other law enforcement officials who may have suggested that Trump wasn’t directly responsible for the riot. However, Chutkan rejected this request, stating that it was not clear to her that other prosecutors had contradicted the argument made by special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the case against Trump.

 

This ruling came as part of a broader decision addressing various discovery requests by Trump’s legal team. Trump’s attorneys had previously sought to pause the case, arguing that the former president enjoyed presidential immunity. However, now that the case has resumed, Chutkan revisited their motions. Among the rejected requests was one seeking documents related to foreign interference in the 2020 election. Chutkan dismissed this, ruling that whether Trump sought to undermine public confidence in the election for his own purposes was independent of any foreign efforts to influence the results.

 

In one notable win for Trump, Chutkan agreed to allow his legal team access to details regarding former Vice President Mike Pence's handling of classified documents. The Department of Justice had previously decided not to pursue charges against Pence in connection with the handling of such documents. Trump’s attorneys argued that they needed this information to understand whether Pence’s interactions with the DOJ influenced his decision to testify before Jack Smith’s investigation. Chutkan acknowledged that this could be material to the case, stating, "Defendant is correct that information suggesting a potential witness’s motives for implicating him may be material."

 

Coinciding with the ruling, Jack Smith’s team has been pushing back against efforts by Trump’s legal team to weaken the charges in the election subversion case. For almost a year, Trump’s attorneys have argued that their client should be shielded from prosecution under presidential immunity, a battle that has reached the U.S. Supreme Court and is still unresolved.

 

As Trump campaigns for the 2024 presidential election, there is speculation that his legal strategy may be aimed at delaying the proceedings. If he wins the election, Trump would have more tools at his disposal to challenge the federal charges against him. Trump currently faces 14 criminal counts related to both the election subversion case and the election tampering case in Georgia. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence.

 

The path forward in Trump’s legal battles remains uncertain, but the stakes are high as he continues to pursue his bid for a return to the White House, while simultaneously facing a series of criminal investigations that could shape the trajectory of his political future.

 

Based on a report from the NYP 2024-10-18

 

 

 

[thesetat2013]

I could be partly responsible for global warming too.. Because I knowing smoke and use a diesel truck for transportation. PM me for my address to come get me for charges and to come pick me up to take me away

 

Clearly this article is written to make Trump look bad and was most likely created by a Dem news outlet.

 

There are a lot of things we all COULD BE responsible for. But that does not mean we are. . 

[thaibeachlovers]

48 minutes ago, Social Media said:

In her 50-page ruling, Judge Chutkan wrote, "It is entirely conceivable, for instance, that Defendant could share responsibility for the events of January 6 without such express authorization of rioters’ criminal actions." This remark was made in response to concerns raised by Trump’s attorneys about conflicting statements from law enforcement regarding the former president's role in inciting the rioters.

So now we have US judges using "could" as justification for political activism.

What happened to judges being neutral, or requiring actual proof.

 

Disgusting.

[Tug]

6 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So now we have US judges using "could" as justification for political activism.

What happened to judges being neutral, or requiring actual proof.

 

Disgusting.

Ahh you do know us AMERICANS witnessed his speech us Americans heard his words ALL predicated on his big lie ……a lie he KNOWS is a lie..…as he continues to try to undermine our election and interfere with the folks trying to respond to the hurricanes we have been experiencing…….do you honestly think for one nano second that this judge would just flap her yap without having seen PROOF?thats what trump does not responsible judges…..disgusting indeed!

[nauseus]

.........previously.....on Witch Hunt....555 

[thesetat2013]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Ahh you do know us AMERICANS witnessed his speech us Americans heard his words ALL predicated on his big lie ……a lie he KNOWS is a lie..…as he continues to try to undermine our election and interfere with the folks trying to respond to the hurricanes we have been experiencing…….do you honestly think for one nano second that this judge would just flap her yap without having seen PROOF?thats what trump does not responsible judges…..disgusting indeed!

Must be a Harris supporter and Dem to utter such nonsense. Could be and maybe and possibly and may be conceivable all mean the same thing. They are suppositions without proof and do not mean anything. Harris could be black or could be indian. Even she does not know because before she said she was indian and now she claims being black. You could be a ladyboy thai man pretending to be a foreigner but we do not know sure. 

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, thesetat2013 said:

Must be a Harris supporter and Dem to utter such nonsense. Could be and maybe and possibly and may be conceivable all mean the same thing. They are suppositions without proof and do not mean anything. Harris could be black or could be indian. Even she does not know because before she said she was indian and now she claims being black. You could be a ladyboy thai man pretending to be a foreigner but we do not know sure. 

Yes, could be, hence his court case.

[spidermike007]

Some people just don't understand how powerful words are, there's no question that when Trump utters absolute foolishness and incites his devotees toward madness, that all kinds of problems are going to take place. There's no question that this goombah was complicit, there's no question that he incited his followers, there is no question that he has blood on his hands.

 

Lock him up. 

 

 

[thesetat2013]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Some people just don't understand how powerful words are, there's no question that when Trump utters absolute foolishness and incites his devotees toward madness, that all kinds of problems are going to take place. There's no question that this goombah was complicit, there's no question that he incited his followers, there is no question that he has blood on his hands.

 

Lock him up. 

 

 

There is no question for you... Because that is what you choose to think or feel. but facts choose responsibilities. The facts do not support what you choose to think. 

[Will B Good]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So now we have US judges using "could" as justification for political activism.

What happened to judges being neutral, or requiring actual proof.

 

Disgusting.

 

You seem to be staggeringly naive.....

 

A U.S. judge can use the term “could” when considering a ruling. Judges often consider hypothetical outcomes or possibilities when analyzing a case. For example, when reviewing evidence or legal arguments, a judge might use “could” to refer to potential interpretations, consequences, or outcomes:

 

• In legal reasoning: A judge might say, “This evidence could support a finding of guilt” or “The law could be interpreted in this way.” Here, “could” signals that there is a possibility without definitively making a conclusion.

• In hypothetical reasoning: A judge might use “could” to discuss what might happen under certain conditions, such as “This ruling could set a precedent” or “The defendant’s actions could have led to harm.”

 

 

[jvs]

If a gang decides to rob a bank(criminal act) and they do end up killing someone

then also the driver in the get away car (who did not enter the bank) will end up being just as guilty as the shooter!

Same thing?

Guilty by association.

[renaissanc]

The Jan 6th insurrection nonsense cases will disappear when Trump wins. They are part of the Dem-Marxists' efforts to stay in power. I expect that Jack Smith, Fanny, and the Democrat judges involved will receive their karma.

[Mazungu]

8 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

I could be partly responsible for global warming too.. Because I knowing smoke and use a diesel truck for transportation. PM me for my address to come get me for charges and to come pick me up to take me away

 

Clearly this article is written to make Trump look bad and was most likely created by a Dem news outlet.

 

There are a lot of things we all COULD BE responsible for. But that does not mean we are. . 

I agree it was wishy-washy for her to say that. She should have just come out and told the truth and said "the man is guilty as H#LL!"

[animalmagic]

9 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

I could be partly responsible for global warming too.. Because I knowing smoke and use a diesel truck for transportation. PM me for my address to come get me for charges and to come pick me up to take me away

 

Clearly this article is written to make Trump look bad and was most likely created by a Dem news outlet.

 

There are a lot of things we all COULD BE responsible for. But that does not mean we are. . 

Your argument has no basis in logic. We are all responsible for global warming but we have not committed any crimes and cannot be held legally responsible. The judge has decided that Trump could be responsible for a criminal offense and there is a case to answer. The prosecution continues.

To conflate global warming with the possibly criminal acts of one person is ludicrous in the extreme. You are simply twisting words to mean what you believe. 

[jerrymahoney]

9 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

Clearly this article is written to make Trump look bad and was most likely created by a Dem news outlet.

From the OP:   Based on a report from the NYP 2024-10-18

 

NYP being the NY Post. Original article here:

 

https://nypost.com/2024/10/16/us-news/judge-warns-donald-trump-could-share-responsibility-for-jan-6-riot-even-if-he-didnt-order-it/

[RPCVguy]

In the superseding indictment that became necessary by the way the Supreme Court CHOSE to enter opinions beyond the specifics in question, Jack Smith lost use of the sworn testimony of White House Staffers - but he included testimony of interference by STATE officials, and written documents that incriminate Trump. I'm thinking of communications in seeking to generate alternate electors. That in addition to his calling supporters to DC in a post promising it will be wild.

The arguments Jack Smith presented was deemed sufficient to NOT throw out the charges that Trump's lawyers sought to have dropped. Bottom line is this decision by Judge Chutkan to allow a jury to decide whether or not guilt is established. That is all that was determined here.
The only case that Trump's lawyers have not managed to delay beyond the election found him guilty of 34 counts of criminal fraud. Sentencing was delayed until late November, after the election.
For those keeping score, the odds of a trial eventually getting a guilty verdict on the January 6th case in DC gained testimony yesterday from Trump himself. He repeatedly used the word "WE" in reference to those who stormed the capitol, and that video will be admissible in court.

 

[thesetat2013]

6 minutes ago, animalmagic said:

The judge has decided that Trump could be responsible for a criminal offense and there is a case to answer. The prosecution continues.

Wrong... it clearly says the judge has claimed it is possible. maybe. unsure. uncertain, Get your facts correct

[animalmagic]

2 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

Wrong... it clearly says the judge has claimed it is possible. maybe. unsure. uncertain, Get your facts correct

My facts are correct, your understanding of legal terminology and practice are sadly lacking.

[nauseus]

42 minutes ago, renaissanc said:

The Jan 6th insurrection nonsense cases will disappear when Trump wins. They are part of the Dem-Marxists' efforts to stay in power. I expect that Jack Smith, Fanny, and the Democrat judges involved will receive their karma.

 

That's OK as long as Pelosi gets hers first.

[Olav Seglem]

Think remember he said something like "fight as hell"...

For me thats far more than "partual" or "could be" .....

[renaissanc]

6 hours ago, stevenl said:

Yes, could be, hence his court case.

You mean the political lawfare cases, I assume.

[retayl]

I hope Trumps “legal team” don’t expect to get paid. They should be prepared to work pro bono in exchange for the reflected glory from working for a such a fine man.

[BangkokReady]

Looking forward to when they do the same for left-wing politicians with the BLM riots and looting.  Any day now I'm sure...  🙄

[TheFishman1]

Trump makes himself look bad paid off one woman so she wouldn’t say that they were having sex while his wife is in the hospital having his child he lies and she steals he has no morals. He goes down as the worst president in American history.

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

Trump makes himself look bad paid off one woman so she wouldn’t say that they were having sex while his wife is in the hospital having his child he lies and she steals he has no morals. He goes down as the worst president in American history.

 

In the news today....one of Trump's attorneys claims Trump has tried to throw more money at Stormy Daniels in the hope she shuts up.

 

Cost him a fortune not having sex with that woman.

[WDSmart]

Lock him up!

[scorecard]

13 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

I could be partly responsible for global warming too.. Because I knowing smoke and use a diesel truck for transportation. PM me for my address to come get me for charges and to come pick me up to take me away

 

Clearly this article is written to make Trump look bad and was most likely created by a Dem news outlet.

 

There are a lot of things we all COULD BE responsible for. But that does not mean we are. . 

WOW, There's ample evidence he knew there was a violent riot going on and people were being hurt and ne knew there was raged comments about hanging the VP and more.

 

But he sat in the oval office watching all of this on TV and did nothing even though many senior staff begged him to act.

 

He's complicit, as sure as Saturday follows Friday. 

[Lopburikid]

13 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

I could be partly responsible for global warming too.. Because I knowing smoke and use a diesel truck for transportation. PM me for my address to come get me for charges and to come pick me up to take me away

 

Clearly this article is written to make Trump look bad and was most likely created by a Dem news outlet.

 

There are a lot of things we all COULD BE responsible for. But that does not mean we are. . 

Couldn't the Judge be partly responsible for some of the crimes that were committed after she acquitted or ve too light a sentence to criminals who then go on to  reoffend???? 

[Sweet Swede]

Partially! He is the main person responsible. It is like saying Hitler was partially responsible for Holocaust.

[Purdey]

The judge is essentially saying, as there is a possibility it will be up to the prosecution to prove its case.

Possibilities will depend on the facts to prove them.