Joe Tacopina, a former trial lawyer for ex-President Trump in New York, has offered a less optimistic outlook on Trump’s ongoing legal challenges, suggesting that it is “absolutely possible” for Trump to be convicted in one of his federal criminal cases. In an interview with MSNBC’s Rev. Al Sharpton, Tacopina emphasized the seriousness of some of Trump’s federal cases, cautioning against taking them lightly.
When questioned by Sharpton about the possibility of Trump facing conviction, Tacopina responded affirmatively, highlighting the role of a jury in deciding the outcome. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting the involvement of federal prosecutors, including Jack Smith, whom Tacopina knew from his time in Brooklyn.
Trump currently confronts four felony counts in Washington, D.C., related to allegations of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and his alleged role in a campaign to obstruct the certification of votes for President Biden on January 6, 2021.
Addressing concerns about the cases being politically motivated, Tacopina acknowledged a political element but emphasized that the grand jury had voted to indict, indicating the validity of the charges. Trump is facing a total of 91 felony counts across federal and state indictments in Florida, Georgia, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Tacopina, previously representing Trump in a hush money case and a sexual battery civil lawsuit, confirmed his withdrawal from both cases earlier this month. He highlighted the challenges Trump may face in trial locations like New York City, Washington, and Atlanta, describing them as “not particularly big Trump venues.”
Despite Trump’s plea of not guilty in all four cases and efforts to dismiss the Justice Department’s case based on presidential immunity, Tacopina suggested that the prosecutors are committed to their cases, indicating a belief in their validity. The legal battles continue with charges ranging from conspiracy to handling classified documents and plotting to overturn election results.