From the US attorneys manual, the basic operating bible of the DOJ: “Court has discretion as to whether to accept…. Alford pleas should be avoided except in the most unusual circumstances, even if no plea agreement is involved and the plea would cover all pending charges."

My detailed take on the Chutkan hearing is now up: youtu.be/Nb25Dbfwxd4

👇👇👇. so we should know today whether the sentencing will occur as scheduled on 9/18. Trump really desperate to avoid, so this becomes a fairly big political moment as well as legal.

“I counted at least 41 artists who have tried to forbid him from using their tunes, inc the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Queen, Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, the Foo Fighters, and Bruce Springsteen.” Abcarian: The incredibly long list of musicians who have latimes.com/opinion/story/…

Chutkan sets schedule for briefing on immunity, as government requested. (Trump wanted to do everything else.) Briefing from September 26 to October 29, meaning no time for anything to happen before the election.

Gretchen Whitmer positively killing it in keynote to ⁦Texas Tribune⁩ festival 2024.

Ok sports fans, a lot about the January 6 case remained unclear after the hearing, but two points stand out: 1) the Pence testimony will be front & center; & 2) trial will not be happening any time soon. Litman: Will Trump ever be tried for Jan. 6? latimes.com/opinion/story/…

Thanks to the nation’s highest court, a trial many observers hoped to see unfold before the election is not likely to happen until 2026 or later-if it takes place at all Litman:Will Trump ever be tried for Jan. 6? Here’s the answer from the latest hearing latimes.com/opinion/story/…

GA shooter's father charged w/ 2nd degree murder--most serious charge ever for parent of school shooter--b/c GA law makes intent irrelevant where death caused while "committing cruelty to children." Looking forward to discussing w Boris Sanchez on CNN News Central at 1:15 PM ET.

Merchan postpones sentences. I will discuss on CNN momentarily

Reading between the lines, Merchan’s decision to delay sentencing very influenced by the DA’s decision not to take a position (and, in Merchan’s reading, advocate softly for a postponement.). That’s got to occasion serious second-guessing in Bragg’s office.

Trump's argument in the 2nd circuit, which Trump attended, on appeal from the judgment in the E. Jean Carroll 1st trial (where he didn't even show up) was a grab bag of pedestrian evidentiary issues. Nothing stands out as a close call or challenge to the court of appeals judges.

You can hear Justice Merchan wrestling with himself in his decision to postpone Trump's sentencing--saying case is "fraught with complexities" "unique in nation's history" and decision "not taken lightly." Looking forward to discussing w/ Laura Coates on CNN at 11:05 PM ET.

Loosening up with ⁦@judgeluttig⁩ before our discussion on the Constitution. (more Q&A-my Q’s, his A’s) tomorrow a.m at the ⁦Texas Tribune⁩ festival 2024.

Fun and interesting as always to be with Laura Coates (and Judge Jeff Swartz) talking the Merchan decision to delay sentencing and contrasting it with Judge Chutkan's steadfast refusal to take account of election. Thanks for having me, Laura Coates! video.snapstream.net/Play/2HiDXLXBF…

Moments before our panel analyzing Kamala Harris's prosecutorial record #TribFest24 @KeithEllison Katie Phang Ellen Rosenblum @HarryLitman

Got LIVE if you want it! Coming bright and early, an ALL-NEW episode taped LIVE at the Texas Tribune and focusing on Kamala Harris the prosecutor, whether her record provides Trump w/ attack material, best ways for her to blunt it, and what it portends for a possible Presidency.