May 11th 2024.
As he faces charges of illegally influencing the 2016 election by allegedly making payments to a porn actor, former President Donald Trump is finding himself limited in what he can publicly say. However, he's not alone in his legal battle. Some of his fellow GOP allies are stepping up to support him by making public appearances on his behalf.
One such ally is U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, who joined Trump on Thursday for the 14th day of his hush money trial in New York. Last week, it was Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who stood by Trump's side as a surrogate. These Republicans' presence in the courtroom not only allows Trump to connect with his constituents while he's stuck in court, but it also serves as a show of support and loyalty to the leader of the GOP.
Both Scott and Paxton have had their own legal troubles and have been vocal about what they see as politically motivated prosecutions. This message aligns with Trump's own claims, and their presence in the courtroom further emphasizes their support for him. It's not uncommon for friends to attend court proceedings in support of a defendant, but in this case, it also gives Trump's allies a chance to publicly demonstrate their loyalty.
Before accompanying Trump to court, Scott made an appearance on the morning show "Fox & Friends," where he discussed the trial. He then entered the courtroom and sat behind the defense table, joining Trump's entourage. After an hour and a half, he left the courtroom and spoke to the media, commenting on a subject that Trump has been ordered not to discuss – the judge's daughter, who he claimed is a political operative who raises money for Democrats.
When asked if his presence in court had anything to do with the gag order placed on Trump, Scott denied it, stating that he was simply fed up with the Democrats' attempts to keep Trump off the ballot. The gag order prohibits Trump from making any public statements about anyone involved in the case, including the judge's family. However, as a friend and surrogate, Scott is free to speak on behalf of Trump.
Paxton, who joined Trump in court last week, did not speak publicly at the time. However, he later gave interviews to Fox Business and Newsmax, calling the trial a "perversion of justice" and expressing his belief that Trump should be allowed to defend himself and continue campaigning. Legal experts have stated that while Trump himself is not allowed to make any public statements, his allies and surrogates are free to do so.
According to former federal prosecutor David Weinstein, Trump is not only on trial for the crimes he is charged with, but he's also fighting for public opinion as he tries to win an election. By bringing in other politicians as surrogates, he can showcase his support and backing from other states. However, Weinstein believes that this is more of a political and public relations tactic and has little to do with Trump's defense in the case.
Trump's lawyers have argued against the gag order, stating that he should be allowed to respond to the testimony of the porn actor, Stormy Daniels. However, on Thursday, the judge refused to modify the order. Criminal defense attorney Gustavo Lage believes that it is controversial as to what extent the gag order applies, and that the court may have a hard time restricting third parties from voicing their opinions on the trial.
As for the purpose of bringing in surrogates and allies to connect with voters, Lage believes that it should not be a factor in the courtroom. He believes that as long as it does not interfere with the administration of justice, it is not something the court can or should control. Ultimately, Trump's allies and surrogates may play a role in shaping public opinion, but it remains to be seen how much influence they will have on the outcome of the trial.
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