Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo, now a UC Berkeley law professor, is closely monitoring the ongoing deliberations in the trial involving former President Trump. With no new notes from the jury, the situation remains uncertain as the jury continues to deliberate.
Yoo notes that the longer the deliberations go on, the more favorable it is for President Trump, as it indicates a lack of unanimity among the jurors. A hung jury could result if just one or two jurors disagree with a conviction, leading to a mistrial and potentially delaying the legal proceedings past the upcoming election.
Yoo highlights that the jury's requests for specific facts related to the alleged conspiracy and the jury instructions suggest a level of skepticism among some jurors towards the prosecution's case. The emphasis on not relying solely on Michael Cohen's testimony further indicates a lack of consensus, potentially pointing towards a mistrial.
Yoo expresses concern about the broader implications of the trial on the office of the presidency and the constitutional system. He warns that weak cases like this could set a precedent for future politically motivated prosecutions against presidents, regardless of party affiliation. Yoo suggests that the only way to prevent such legal harassment is for Republican prosecutors to consider bringing charges against Democratic officials, including Hunter Biden and possibly even President Joe Biden.
The discussion also touches on the immunity arguments raised at the Supreme Court regarding potential legal actions against incumbents worried about repercussions from their predecessors. The upcoming Supreme Court decision on this matter is eagerly awaited, with opinions expected to be released next Thursday.
