June 2023 Flashcards
Obstructed
Federal prosecutors laid out their case against former President Donald J. Trump in a 38-count indictment on Friday, saying he mishandled classified documents — including some involving sensitive nuclear programs and others that detailed the country’s potential vulnerabilities to military attack — after leaving office, then obstructed the government’s efforts to reclaim them.
Scope & Gravity
Jack Smith, the special counsel who is bringing the case, cast the investigation as a defense of national security in brief remarks on Friday, urging the public to understand the “scope and gravity” of the charges.
Haphazardly
The filing includes many pictures of what appear to be bankers’ boxes, some containing highly sensitive national documents, which were haphazardly moved by Mr. Nauta and other aides at Mr. Trump’s behest.
SECRET/REL TO USA, FVEY
The files that splayed on the carpet included the designation “SECRET/REL TO USA, FVEY” — which meant that they were meant to be seen by officials from the U.S., Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada with high-level security clearances.
FVEY refers to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance consisting of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Britain and the United States.”
Favorable Rulings
It was not clear whether Judge Cannon, who was criticized by a higher court for handing Mr. Trump a series of unusually favorable rulings during the early stages of the investigation, would remain assigned for the entirety of the case.
Devoid
Hyperbole
Smith’s comments were brief and to the point, devoid of the sort of hyperbole and accusations that often appear in a prosecutor’s prepared remarks.
Presumption of Innocence
Smith stresses that Trump and his aide, Walt Nauta, have a presumption of innocence and says he will “seek a speedy trial” consistent with public interest and the rights of the defendants.
Bedrock Principle
Smith is noting that the country’s “laws” protecting national defense information are “critical” for U.S. security and that the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the U.S.
Problematic
In one of the most problematic pieces of evidence for Trump, the indictment recounts how, according to his lawyer’s words, Trump made a “plucking motion” that implied, “why don’t you take them with you to your hotel room and if there’s anything really bad in there, like, you know, pluck it out.”
NOFORN
Not releasable to foreign nationals.
ORCON
Documents designated as “ORCON” cannot be disseminated outside of the department issuing it without approval. Those labeled “NOFORN” cannot be shared with foreign nationals.
Complicit
Helping to commit a crime or do wrong in some way.
The fact is that almost all of the serious Republican contenders were complicit in helping Trump at one point or another. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie endorsed Trump in 2016 and headed his transition team. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley served in the Trump administration as UN ambassador, while Sen. Tim Scott voted to acquit Trump in both impeachment trials. And until recently, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had always been a loyal Trumpian.
Scant
Barely or scarcely sufficient. Not quite coming up to a stated measure.
Aileen M. Cannon, the Federal District Court judge assigned to preside over former President Donald J. Trump’s classified documents case, has scant experience running criminal trials, calling into question her readiness to handle what is likely to be an extraordinarily complex and high-profile courtroom clash.
Suitability
Perceptions
Judge Cannon’s suitability to handle such a high-stakes and high-profile case has already attracted scrutiny amid widespread perceptions that she demonstrated bias in the former president’s favor last year, when she oversaw a long-shot lawsuit filed by Mr. Trump challenging the F.B.I.’s court-approved search of his Florida home and club, Mar-a-Lago.
Recuse
To disqualify oneself as judge in a particular case.
In theory, Judge Cannon could step aside on her own for any reason, or the special counsel, Jack Smith, could ask her to do so under a federal law that says judges are supposed to recuse themselves if their “impartiality might reasonably be questioned” — and, if she declines, ask an appeals court to order her to recuse.
Demonstrably
Apparent. Evident.
At the same time, they said, she is demonstrably inexperienced and can bristle when her actions are questioned or unexpected issues arise.
Myriad
A great number.
The Trump case is likely to raise myriad complexities that would be challenging for any judge — let alone one who will be essentially learning on the job.
Polarizing
Causing strong disagreements between opposing factions or groups.
And the judge will decide on challenges to potential jurors when either side claims someone might be biased for or against one of the most famous and polarizing people in the world.
Complex & High Profile Cases
Think on their feet
Fritz Scheller, a longtime defense lawyer in Florida who has had cases in Judge Cannon’s district but not appeared before her, said in complex and high-profile cases, even the most experienced judges are forced to think on their feet to make swift decisions.
Influenced
Herculean
In this case, he said, the issue of how to protect the jury from being influenced by the vast media coverage alone “will be a herculean task” for any judge.
Scathing
Rebukes
Acquiesced
Eventually, a conservative appeals court panel — including two other Trump appointees — reversed her, writing in a pair of scathing opinions that she had misread the law and had no jurisdiction to interfere in the investigation. The Supreme Court let those rebukes stand without comment, and she acquiesced, dismissing the lawsuit.
Adjudicate
Evenhandedly
It remains to be seen what she will take from the reputational damage she brought upon herself at the start of what is likely to be many decades on the bench. She could continue her pattern from last year, or she could use her second turn in the spotlight to adjudicate the documents case more evenhandedly.
