Democratic Attorney Julian Epstein recently blasted Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s ongoing case against former President Donald Trump as an “embarrassment to the legal system.”
During an interview on Fox News’ “Brian Kilmeade Radio,” Epstein criticized Bragg for continuing to pursue charges against Trump related to alleged hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The Charges Against Trump
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office charged former President Trump with 34 counts related to alleged hush money payments made during his 2016 campaign.
Specifically, Trump allegedly directed his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to pay adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump,theses events violated campaign finance laws. They amounted to illegal donations to aid Trump’s election bid.
Trump Denies All Charges
Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He maintains his innocence and claims the charges are politically motivated, calling them “the greatest witch hunt in American history.”
Some critics argue that similar cases are rarely prosecuted and see the charges as an overreach by Bragg’s office.
Rare Criticism From Democrats
While the prosecution of a former president is itself unprecedented, the case has also drawn criticism from some unlikely sources.
Julian Epstein, a former Democratic House Judiciary Committee counsel, called the case “an embarrassment to the legal system” and a “phony, terrible theory.”
A High-Profile Trial
Nonetheless, the trial is moving forward in what is sure to be a closely watched legal spectacle. Last week, jury selection for the trial took five days.
This week, testimony began with former National Enquirer chairman David Pecker discussing the tabloid’s “catch and kill” practices regarding negative Trump stories during his 2016 run.
Democratic Attorney Julian Epstein Calls Out Bragg’s “Embarrassing” Charges
Julian Epstein, a former Democratic chief counsel, has criticized the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for pursuing what he calls “embarrassing” charges against former President Donald Trump.
Epstein argued in an interview that the case alleging Trump falsified business documents to cover up hush money payments “would never be brought if it was anyone other than Donald Trump.”
Epstein Claims The Payments Were Not Election Interference
According to Epstein, the payments Trump’s campaign made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to prevent her from discussing an alleged affair before the 2016 election do not qualify as election interference.
“Everyone does it,” he said, pointing out that President Joe Biden’s campaign also faced accusations of trying to suppress stories.
Elected Biden But Against Trump Prosecution
Epstein said he finds the case “outrageous” even though he voted for Biden.
He has criticized other Democratic prosecutors going after Trump, like Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney investigating Trump’s election interference in Georgia. Epstein called her case an “utter embarrassment” last month.
The Hypocrisy of Selective Prosecution
Epstein points out the hypocrisy in Bragg’s prosecution of Trump. He notes that the Biden campaign also tried to suppress stories about Hunter Biden’s laptop during the election but faced no legal consequences.
According to Epstein, it is outrageous to single out Trump’s campaign for standard political behavior while ignoring the same actions by the opposing party.
Criticism of Other Trump Prosecutions
Epstein has also criticized other attempts to prosecute Trump. For example, he called on Fani Willis, the district attorney leading an election interference case against Trump in Georgia, to resign.
He described her case as an “utter embarrassment.” Epstein argues that these prosecutions are all motivated by a desire to politically damage Trump rather than an objective pursuit of justice.
Epstein Points Out Biden Campaign Also Accused of Suppressing Stories
Julian Epstein pointed out that Joe Biden’s presidential campaign faced similar accusations of trying to suppress negative stories during the 2020 election.
According to Epstein, “This case would never be brought if it was anyone other than Donald Trump. Everyone does it.”
Why Epstein Finds the Case Against Trump “Outrageous”
Julian Epstein believes the charges against Trump are completely unjustified and politically motivated. Epstein says, “This case would never be brought if it was anyone other than Donald Trump.”
According to Epstein, suppressing a story during an election is common practice, not interference. “Everyone does it,” he points out.
Update on Where the Trial Stands Now
The trial has been underway for three days now in New York. On Monday, opening arguments began where Bragg’s team laid out their case alleging Trump falsified documents to cover up hush money payments.
The prosecution claims this was done to influence the outcome of the 2016 election by preventing negative stories from coming out.
Testimony So Far From David Pecker of AMI
So far, testimony from David Pecker, the former CEO of AMI, has provided insight into the company’s “catch and kill” operations during the 2016 election.
Pecker testified that AMI paid $150,000 to Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, for her life rights and story of an alleged affair with Trump. The payment was made to suppress the story and prevent it from influencing the election.
Waiting For The Trial To Playout
While only time will tell how this trial plays out, Epstein makes a compelling argument that the charges against Trump seem politically motivated and may set concerning precedents.
Regardless of one’s political leanings, the justice system must be applied fairly and consistently. If prosecutors are right that Trump broke the law, he should face consequences, but the case should be ironclad, not rushed or flimsy.
