By Jaycie Doerr, WC Opinions Editor
A federal judge ruled late in March that former President Donald Trump committed crimes in his attempt to halt the certifications of the 2020 election.
In his ruling, District Court Judge David Carter said that the emails between Trump and his lawyer, John Eastman, do not fall under attorney-client privilege.This legal standard excludes privileged communication about ongoing or future crimes, which is what the House committee is arguing. Eastman’s lawyer is arguing that the privilege stands. The ruling ordered the release of more than 100 emails between the two.
Trump’s spokesperson, Taylor Budowich, called the ruling an absurd abuse of power. The obtaining of these documents is another formal effort to link Trump to a federal crime. Since he is no longer president, House members cannot bring formal charges against him, but can make a recommendation to the Justice Department. The committee is arguing that Trump and his associates committed criminal conspiracy during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot.
The question still remains, did Donald Trump commit a criminal act? A more pressing question is what is Trump trying to hide in documents he’s withholding from the House? To quote a common saying, innocent men do not hide and only the guilty run.
