A newly released legal filing in Donald Trump’s election interference case is “really powerful,” according to former federal prosecutor Jennifer Rodgers. During an appearance on CNN Wednesday night, Rodgers explained that the release of this document was likely intended to demonstrate to the public and the courts the gravity of Trump’s actions.
“This really is a two-part document,” Rodgers said. “This is for the public, this is for us all to say, ‘Well, this is a really powerful case against the former president. This is really, really bad what he did.’” Rodgers believes the special counsel strategically released the filing to send a clear message that Trump was acting in bad faith. “They want everyone to know this was a bad guy acting in bad faith and the case against him is really powerful,” she said.
The timing of the release is also seen as an effort to influence the judge in the case, and potentially other judges up the judicial chain, to admit this new evidence. Rodgers emphasized that the goal is to prevent this evidence from being excluded due to the Supreme Court’s recent decision on presidential immunity, which disrupted parts of the case.
In addition to Rodgers’ analysis, CNN contributor and former criminal defense attorney Joey Jackson expressed his concerns regarding former Vice President Mike Pence’s role in the case. “Number one, I see Mike Pence shaping up to be an all-star witness here,” Jackson remarked during the same CNN segment.
He suggested that if the case moves forward, Pence could provide damning evidence based on his conversations with Trump, particularly concerning the fake elector scheme and his role presiding over the Senate during the certification of the election.
Jackson noted that Pence’s potential testimony would pose a significant challenge for Trump’s defense. “So, you’re going to have Mike Pence really taking the stand, giving damning evidence with respect to the conversations he had with his boss concerning this fake elector scheme… and putting in these other ones,” he explained. “And so that’s going to be problematic.”
Both Rodgers and Jackson agreed that the newly released legal filing adds considerable weight to the case against Trump, painting a clear picture of bad faith actions by the former president and setting the stage for pivotal courtroom battles ahead.