Trump went on the record, explaining how in a second term, his staff would only be (election denying) loyalists, he'd run a massive deportation operation, and states could freely monitor women's pregnancies. Meanwhile, evidence of his election interference in 2016 piles up in New York. Ben Wittes and Eric Cortellessa join Tim Miller.
Only just now got to listening to this podcast. I never had a client fall asleep in court when I was doing criminal defense. However, I also kind of agree with Ben Wittes here; it's not really that big of a deal. We have the fiction that the defendant should be an active part of the criminal defense proceeding, but 99.99% of the time if not more, what you want as a defense attorney is a statue who just sits there, doesn't make a sound, and lets you run your defense as best you can.
They are not substantially involved in the process, and if they are, it's usually in a way that causes problems. That probably goes double for Trump, who has a massive talent for disruptive boorishness.
I'm all here for the Bulwark PSA cross pollination. I listened to your interview with Eric Cortellessa and followed it up later with you and Lovett on PSA. Great work! My 2 cents on the protests - if you want a ceasefire and peace, maybe better to exemplify peace in one's own behavior? Yes, everyone sucks in this case.
I read the whole Time article. As I have mentioned before, this article is the best of journalism in that it tackles what Trump will do as opposed to the practice of ignoring him. Eric called Trump sir. I understand this in that he wanted to get Trump's confidence. What really caught my ear was Eric's repeatedly calling Trump smart. What Charlie Sykes repeatedly called as "Lizard brain" refers to what Trump thinks of as what is best for Trump and no more. Trump is generally a very ignorant person in regards to history, the world outside,(of New York and Mara Lago) and human relationships. The term Dunning/Kruger effect totally applies here to Trump. This was an excellent interview with Ben Wittis and Eric. Perhaps Tim's best to date.
Ben Wittes’ courtroom color was great. I love his frank analysis, admitting it in all fairness when the defense does well.
That was quite a get, scoring Eric Cortelessa, congrats. I’ve read his accompanying article, but not the interviews themselves yet. I hope we don’t get to experience the second Trump term come to fruition. At the end of his term, he seemed to be suddenly moving people around like chess pieces, fortunate too late. Now the prospect of him getting back in office is like watching a velociraptor who knows where all the shorts in the electric fences are.
I just listened to you on PSA. Fabulous discussion and I completely agree that one can both support and oppose individual elements of what each side stands for. But I must say, and forgive me if I missed, I didn’t hear any discussion, either there or here with Ben, about the hostages. What makes my blood boil is that the pro-Palestinian group seems to have completely forgotten and couldn’t care less about them. Where are they?! Are they still alive?! Why can’t we care about them AND the people of Gaza?
I can see this so as to get Trump's confidence. The best reporters have gotten Trump's confidences.(Woodward,Jonathan Karl,Haberman) Of course it doesn't't hurt that Trump thinks he can persuade anybody, anytime just by talking.
Please add links to Ben’s must-read-agains (Ben and Anna on Lawfare, and The Next Level discussion). And email or PS on another pod where we can go to find them. Thanks.
I am reminded of the adage of if you arrest someone for a crime and they fall asleep that means they know they are guilty and relax. Trump for all his bluster knows he is caught this time.
The man is tired. So many trials to attend. So many whac-a-moles to whack.
If a reporter for *Time* thinks TFG is smart and deserves respect then I fear there's no hope for the country.
I said "sir"... he sounded like a fool.
I was stunned to hear Cortellessa say Trump is smart, based on this one interview. He was very well prepped. That's not smart.
Only just now got to listening to this podcast. I never had a client fall asleep in court when I was doing criminal defense. However, I also kind of agree with Ben Wittes here; it's not really that big of a deal. We have the fiction that the defendant should be an active part of the criminal defense proceeding, but 99.99% of the time if not more, what you want as a defense attorney is a statue who just sits there, doesn't make a sound, and lets you run your defense as best you can.
They are not substantially involved in the process, and if they are, it's usually in a way that causes problems. That probably goes double for Trump, who has a massive talent for disruptive boorishness.
Did I miss the Next Level yesterday?
I think they skipped it because they were getting ready for the Thursday Night Bulwark show in Philly.
The live show TNL from Philly was just posted.
I'm all here for the Bulwark PSA cross pollination. I listened to your interview with Eric Cortellessa and followed it up later with you and Lovett on PSA. Great work! My 2 cents on the protests - if you want a ceasefire and peace, maybe better to exemplify peace in one's own behavior? Yes, everyone sucks in this case.
The Morris Bart reference was great.
“One Call That’s All” (the original)
“One Click That’s It” (the update)
If you can make the reference you’ll understand.
I read the whole Time article. As I have mentioned before, this article is the best of journalism in that it tackles what Trump will do as opposed to the practice of ignoring him. Eric called Trump sir. I understand this in that he wanted to get Trump's confidence. What really caught my ear was Eric's repeatedly calling Trump smart. What Charlie Sykes repeatedly called as "Lizard brain" refers to what Trump thinks of as what is best for Trump and no more. Trump is generally a very ignorant person in regards to history, the world outside,(of New York and Mara Lago) and human relationships. The term Dunning/Kruger effect totally applies here to Trump. This was an excellent interview with Ben Wittis and Eric. Perhaps Tim's best to date.
Ben Wittes’ courtroom color was great. I love his frank analysis, admitting it in all fairness when the defense does well.
That was quite a get, scoring Eric Cortelessa, congrats. I’ve read his accompanying article, but not the interviews themselves yet. I hope we don’t get to experience the second Trump term come to fruition. At the end of his term, he seemed to be suddenly moving people around like chess pieces, fortunate too late. Now the prospect of him getting back in office is like watching a velociraptor who knows where all the shorts in the electric fences are.
I just listened to you on PSA. Fabulous discussion and I completely agree that one can both support and oppose individual elements of what each side stands for. But I must say, and forgive me if I missed, I didn’t hear any discussion, either there or here with Ben, about the hostages. What makes my blood boil is that the pro-Palestinian group seems to have completely forgotten and couldn’t care less about them. Where are they?! Are they still alive?! Why can’t we care about them AND the people of Gaza?
Thanks for the receipts in the show notes. Much appreciated.
Love to see Lawfare on The Bulwark. Thank you.
I liked Eric, but had to lol at Tim for audibly registering disapproval under his breath when he was explaining why he called trump sir.
I can see this so as to get Trump's confidence. The best reporters have gotten Trump's confidences.(Woodward,Jonathan Karl,Haberman) Of course it doesn't't hurt that Trump thinks he can persuade anybody, anytime just by talking.
Did he have tears in his eyes.
Ear worms?
Please add links to Ben’s must-read-agains (Ben and Anna on Lawfare, and The Next Level discussion). And email or PS on another pod where we can go to find them. Thanks.
You can find it all here: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/
You van sign up for Bens newsletter on Subtack. They do a great job of explaining what is going on in all of TFGs legal trials. Ben is gem.
Thank you!
I am reminded of the adage of if you arrest someone for a crime and they fall asleep that means they know they are guilty and relax. Trump for all his bluster knows he is caught this time.
Not a good look in front of a jury that will determine your fate. They are always watching.
Wouldn't it be nice if the nyts reported on Trumps 2.0?
Yes