The Trump admin's case against the former Olympic canoeist accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is about to fall apart. They failed to preserve the physical evidence against him–the lining of the pool that he is accused of damaging.
I think it's a shame they are even thinking of prosecuting the case. Afterall it is a public landmark and there weren't any signs that said no touchie.
I'm not interested in it collapsing. I'm interested in it backfiring HARD. Get real consequences for being a piece of shit. Otherwise they'll keep trying, ruining people's lives (even if they lose) until they get their way.
They never thought their charges would stick. It was always about threatening and intimidating people. This has Steven Miller all over it. He wants to make an example and make all Americans afraid.
He's going to be out any legal fees. None of the prosecutors will be out any money. Kind of an asymmetrical system, where prosecutors can file anything and everything, with no consequence, but the accused has to pay to defend themselves, sometimes a very large amount.
No video evidence and now no physical evidence equals dismissal most of the time except in courts run by Trump appointed judges. Trump appointed judges know they must pay their tribute to the king. Justice be dammed.
Considering the case is literally just a weaponized DOJ persecuting innocent people to distract from the fact that Donald Trump stole tax payer money for some obviously corrupt bullshit, managed to fuck it up, and is now doubling down on the corruption, yeah...
This has been his playbook for the past decade. Once they get their headline, they don't care. People have the attention span of a goldfish, and these cases getting dismissed/etc. never surface to the same extent because people/the media just moves on to the next thing they're trying to get headlines for.
It is just another distraction, but they fully intended to prosecute and lose. The higher ups don't give a shit about losing yet another case and having to pay out tax dollars as long as it distracts the media for a bit, and the people actually running the case are just the latest in a LONG line of idiots who think they're top members of this admin being thrown under the bus by it.
If they didn't expect to actually prosecute, they'd have quietly dropped the charges before the case even reached a judge. Hern should actively go after the federal government for violating his rights and damaging his good name in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, including a lack of any evidence prior to or during the supposed vandalism that could have easily been checked and instantly resulted in a dismissal of charges. DC is only beaten by... atlanta in surveillance.
Before the case gets dismissed, the defense should demand that the judge be given the grand jury records because there must have been misconduct by the DoJ.
Even if they kept pieces of the damaged liner. Prosecution: "The defendant damaged the reflecting pool! See!" Judge: "Do you have proof it wasn't like that before they got there?" Prosecution: "..." Judge: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Not idiots (well, not just idiots) - criminals. And given there are no consequences for them they aren't such idiots - rather who put them there and permits them to behave so?
You'd think it would pay more dividends towards getting rid of the fuckers, but here we are. I don't know who watches shitshow after shitshow and doesn't eventually see a pattern.
It's disturbing that they've even kept it going this far. Any reasonable person with at least a passing knowledge of coatings, construction or even painting could tell you that the surface failed due to improper installation. We won't even get into the algae growing in stagnant water. The reflecting pool really is a reflection of this administration- Taking something that was just fine and then through ego and incompetence screwing it up.... and then blaming everyone else.
Countersue for wrongful prosecution? Or anything else that would be valid? I mean, it's clear they did this to ruin his reputation, and as a celebrity, that's worth some coinage if nothing else.
That is to say, these prosecutors might be getting hit with two things: a civil suit for damages, and a possible case with their respective bar associations that could decide they are no longer fit to practice law.\
No, the joke is that if merely touching the pool itself is enough to break it, it was already broken long before he touched it. Something that delicate is not going to survive contact with outdoor reality.
Federal cases usually have very high rate if success. Not so ynder Trump. Their prosecutions fail, get tossed, prosecutors recommended for disbarment, prosecutor not legally allowed to hold position, etc.
What a joke he's made of the DoJ. Can't get out of their own way.
TheWeebleWobler
I think it's a shame they are even thinking of prosecuting the case. Afterall it is a public landmark and there weren't any signs that said no touchie.
beaubrent
Pirro is so bad at getting any convictions.
cousteau
I'm not interested in it collapsing. I'm interested in it backfiring HARD. Get real consequences for being a piece of shit. Otherwise they'll keep trying, ruining people's lives (even if they lose) until they get their way.
bilgetea
They never thought their charges would stick. It was always about threatening and intimidating people. This has Steven Miller all over it. He wants to make an example and make all Americans afraid.
HezekiahSturdy
He's going to be out any legal fees. None of the prosecutors will be out any money. Kind of an asymmetrical system, where prosecutors can file anything and everything, with no consequence, but the accused has to pay to defend themselves, sometimes a very large amount.
Bojovnik84
I mean, I dont even think it is illegal to walk in the pool, because people have done it on and off for decades.
ImYourWifesBoyfriend
Everyone, literally all of them are incompetent from top to bottom.
sarahsaurroar
They're putting more effort into throwing a man in jail for touching a pool than they have or ever will for a person raping someone...
Spanky93
Sue for malicious persecution.
unluckyandbored
The point was to send a message. Even if it doesn't succeed, it'll send a message. Comply with the government, or we'll throw you in jail.
RetrogradeLlama
The incompetence of the Trump Admin continues to be a feature in every legal case.
It's like every attorney they have went to the Lionel Hutz School of Law.
PostHartmann
Contrary to statements made, they do not hire "The best people"
TheRealArclight
OhIfIMust
Fucking cowards, don't even have the brass to simply withdraw or drop it.
OrkenMork
he should then counter sue for $10Billion! Much like trump does!
Jamnew60
No video evidence and now no physical evidence equals dismissal most of the time except in courts run by Trump appointed judges. Trump appointed judges know they must pay their tribute to the king. Justice be dammed.
mksu
Considering the case is literally just a weaponized DOJ persecuting innocent people to distract from the fact that Donald Trump stole tax payer money for some obviously corrupt bullshit, managed to fuck it up, and is now doubling down on the corruption, yeah...
superdinglebudgie
some people are desperate to keep their jobs and it shows.
HowlingRollercoaster2
Yeah, charging the poor person already served the purpose, and the evidence was already fabricated so they don't care
NKato
And are refusing to release the full Epstein files.
imgurianitarian
And Trump rapes kids. Let us not forget why he is in the files.
thotterpop
Or to persecute people named in those files
hogeyegrex
Prosecute.
ItsACrazyWorld
This is just so stupid. How much fucking money is being wasted on this shit?
ireallydontthinkso
how was there a case in the first place? what did he do? remove a floating piece of trash from a public space.
Resistance1000
Breaking News: Donold tRump Senior has just release an image of the vandal in action:
SpartaWolf117
i don't think they expected to actually prosecute, it's just another distraction
Einbrecher
This has been his playbook for the past decade. Once they get their headline, they don't care. People have the attention span of a goldfish, and these cases getting dismissed/etc. never surface to the same extent because people/the media just moves on to the next thing they're trying to get headlines for.
Jarjarthejedi
It is just another distraction, but they fully intended to prosecute and lose. The higher ups don't give a shit about losing yet another case and having to pay out tax dollars as long as it distracts the media for a bit, and the people actually running the case are just the latest in a LONG line of idiots who think they're top members of this admin being thrown under the bus by it.
thatlamer
If they didn't expect to actually prosecute, they'd have quietly dropped the charges before the case even reached a judge. Hern should actively go after the federal government for violating his rights and damaging his good name in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, including a lack of any evidence prior to or during the supposed vandalism that could have easily been checked and instantly resulted in a dismissal of charges. DC is only beaten by... atlanta in surveillance.
georgejimmydoodle
Before the case gets dismissed, the defense should demand that the judge be given the grand jury records because there must have been misconduct by the DoJ.
Trimule
I don't see that this piece of evidence is such a big deal They can just show a picture of the 250 foot slash. What? Oh.........................
TheMomaw
Even if they kept pieces of the damaged liner.
Prosecution: "The defendant damaged the reflecting pool! See!"
Judge: "Do you have proof it wasn't like that before they got there?"
Prosecution: "..."
Judge: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
spontaneous9
Idiots. We're being governed by complete and utter idiots.
AgainstMethod
It really does cut both ways.
SavageDrums
Governed, and ruled. Every corporation is run by idiots. Business schools teach people to be idiots.
Fentex
Not idiots (well, not just idiots) - criminals. And given there are no consequences for them they aren't such idiots - rather who put them there and permits them to behave so?
30BettysAgree
That statement, my good friend, is an insult to idiots.
HarbingerOfThis
I would not be surprised if the prosucutors thought the case is just bullshit, and intentionally made "mistakes", so it gould get dismissed ASAP...
Whatdoyousaytoanicecupoftea
ItS aBoUt SeNdInG a MeSsAgE
DragonThunderUndertaking
You'd think it would pay more dividends towards getting rid of the fuckers, but here we are. I don't know who watches shitshow after shitshow and doesn't eventually see a pattern.
KogaSteelfang
MAGA = Morons Are Governing America
anotherrandomname
It's disturbing that they've even kept it going this far. Any reasonable person with at least a passing knowledge of coatings, construction or even painting could tell you that the surface failed due to improper installation. We won't even get into the algae growing in stagnant water. The reflecting pool really is a reflection of this administration- Taking something that was just fine and then through ego and incompetence screwing it up.... and then blaming everyone else.
DocFunkenstein
Countersue for wrongful prosecution? Or anything else that would be valid? I mean, it's clear they did this to ruin his reputation, and as a celebrity, that's worth some coinage if nothing else.
Hyzenthlay021
Qualified immunity is a hell of a drug.
DocFunkenstein
Individuals have qualified immunity.
Organizations, like the Department of Justice, do not.
NKato
Qualified immunity generally does not cover deliberate and purposeful fuck-ups.
NKato
That is to say, these prosecutors might be getting hit with two things: a civil suit for damages, and a possible case with their respective bar associations that could decide they are no longer fit to practice law.\
YuffieK
Failed to preserve evidence because the 'evidence' was already disintegrating? https://c.tenor.com/4eQ9GPyB_lIAAAAd/tenor.gif
wejustdontknow
There is no evidence to preserve.
ibuycrap
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheMoonBnuuy
No, the joke is that if merely touching the pool itself is enough to break it, it was already broken long before he touched it. Something that delicate is not going to survive contact with outdoor reality.
Kazpur81S
Person is, what, 0-34?
Kazpur81S
*Perino stoopid fone
UnattendedDeviant
Federal cases usually have very high rate if success. Not so ynder Trump. Their prosecutions fail, get tossed, prosecutors recommended for disbarment, prosecutor not legally allowed to hold position, etc.
What a joke he's made of the DoJ. Can't get out of their own way.
NKato
On the flip side, the DOJ is making an excellent case for its removal from the control of the executive branch.