"If the prosecutor is obliged to choose his cases, it follows that he can choose his defendants. Therein is the most dangerous power of the prosecutor: that he will pick people that he thinks he should get, rather than pick cases that need to be prosecuted." Attorney General Robert H. Jackson, April 1, 1940.
Bullet points on the Executive Summary:
- The New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) has conducted an extensive investigation into former President Donald J. Trump since at least 2018, with a focus on his personal life and business affairs.
- The investigation has been politically motivated, with former Special Assistant District Attorney Mark F. Pomerantz playing a significant role. Pomerantz eagerly volunteered to work on the case and left abruptly when the new District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, didn't move quickly to file charges.
- Pomerantz's book, "People vs. Trump: An Insider’s Account," reveals the politically charged nature of the investigation. He compared Trump to a mob boss and asserted that Trump deserved to be prosecuted.
- Despite deficiencies in legal theories and previous federal decisions not to prosecute, Bragg charged Trump with 34 felony counts in April 2023, using a novel legal theory.
- Bragg's decision to prosecute appears politically motivated, especially considering there were no new witnesses or significant changes in the case's facts since 2018. The decision came shortly after Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election.
- Congress has intervened to oversee Bragg's conduct, as his prosecution of Trump appears politically motivated. They've sought testimony from Pomerantz to inform potential legislative reforms.
- Pomerantz initially resisted testifying but eventually appeared before the Judiciary Committee. However, during his testimony, he remained unusually silent, refusing to answer basic questions. His book provides insights into what appears to be prosecutorial abuse driven by political motives.