A Trump attorney who refused to represent former President Donald Trump in the classified documents case has now formally withdrawn from another case as well.
The attorney, Jim Trusty, first went viral on June 9th, when he and another attorney, John Rowley, “announced that they would not represent Trump in the charges that special counsel Jack Smith brought against the former president,” according to CNN.
They made the announcement a day after Trump was indicted.
“Now that the case has been filed in Miami, this is a logical moment for us to step aside and let others carry the cases through to completion. We have no plans to hold media appearances that address our withdrawals or any other confidential communications we’ve had with the President or his legal team,” they said in a court filing.
The president, for his part, didn’t seem to mind their departure, as he issued a statement on Truth Social thanking both of them for their work:
“For purposes of fighting the Greatest Witch Hunt of all time, now moving to the Florida Courts, I will be represented by Todd Blanche, Esq., and a firm to be named later,” he wrote.
“I want to thank Jim Trusty and John Rowley for their work, but they were up against a very dishonest, corrupt, evil, and ‘sick’ group of people, the likes of which has not been seen before. We will be announcing additional lawyers in the coming days. When will Joe Biden be Indicted for his many crimes against our Nation? MAGA!” he added.
Now fast-forward to Friday, June 16th, when Trusty announced that he’d also be recusing himself from Trump’s defamation lawsuit against CNN.
“Mr. Trusty’s withdrawal is based upon irreconcilable differences between Counsel and Plaintiff and Counsel can no longer effectively and properly represent Plaintiff,” he said in a court filing.
JUST IN: Jim TRUSTY, who dropped off of Trump’s criminal defense team last week, is now withdrawing from Trump’s lawsuit against CNN, citing “irreconcilable differences” with his client. https://t.co/vNocXg40Aq pic.twitter.com/OgxqRPeuA9
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 16, 2023
In other words, he removed himself from this case because of “irreconcilable differences” with Trump. Note that his previous statement with Rowley had not mentioned anything about “irreconcilable differences.”
That said, a Trump spokesperson responded to the announcement by issuing a statement making it seem like Trusty’s departure was planned in advance.
“The defamation lawsuit against CNN is entering a new phase, as more irrefutable facts are revealed. We thank Mr. Trusty for his work on this case and wish him all the best,” the spokesperson said, according to Politico.
Critics among the public suspect there’s more to Trusty’s departure:
Irreconcilable differences = unpaid legal fees….. perhaps?
— Connie Sheets (@ConnieSheets1) June 16, 2023
I only volunteer when I want to. I bet Trusty just wants to be paid.
— Karen L Treanor Russell (@MrsKladybug) June 16, 2023
Wonder if this life was threatened or somebody gave him major money to do that.
— Lori (@lori_bonnewell) June 16, 2023
When you put “Irreconcilable differences” through the Trump to English translator you get… “He hasn’t paid me”.
— Mo Latno Bill Phelan (@MoBill) June 16, 2023
This is the epitome of tfg interacting with lawyers. He hires them, doesn’t listen to them, tells them how to do their jobs and when they explain to him that what he wants is not legal, he sites examples from people who told him what he wants to hear and then the lawyers flee♂️
— Xcorpian (@Xcorpian3) June 16, 2023
Seen here, the defamation suit accuses CNN of maligning Trump as a “racist,” “Russian lackey,” “insurrectionist,” and “Hitler.”
To be clear, Trusty’s departure doesn’t mean Trump is now without representation in the CNN case.
“For anyone concerned that Trump will be left without counsel in a pressing matter, fear not. Per Trusty’s motion, his withdrawal ‘does not adversely impact any parties,’ because oral argument on CNN’s motion to dismiss hasn’t been scheduled, discovery hasn’t started, and there are no pending deadlines,” according to MSNBC.
“Plus, he points out, Trump ‘continues to be served by co-counsel on the matter, Lindsey Halligan, a member of the Florida Bar.’ Thus, the former president can continue with his lawsuit, which alleges that CNN persistently associated Trump with Hitler and Nazism. The network has called the claims ‘untenable and repugnant to a free press and open political debate.'”
Trusty is one of several lawyers who’ve recused themselves from cases or outright quit or been fired while working for the former president.
In May, Tim Parlatore resigned from the former president’s legal team, calling the move “personal” and not a reflection of his “belief in the strength of the case,” CNN and Politico reported at the time.
In February of 2021, “Trump cut ties with personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, as the former New York City mayor faced multiple lawsuits over his alleged role in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election,” according to Forbes.
A month earlier, “Trump’s lead impeachment lawyers abruptly resigned ahead of the former president’s impeachment trial over allegations he incited the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, reportedly leaving because of Trump’s repeated and debunked claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.