The Manhattan grand jury investigating Trump over alleged hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign didn't meet Wednesday, despite that being one of the days when the panel ordinarily convenes. Sources familiar with the case say that the grand jury was canceled amid "major dissension" within the district attorney's office. And one source even claimed District Attorney Alvin Bragg is having trouble convincing the grand jury on potential charges due to the "weakness" of the case.
Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for President Trump, hosts a weekday morning program on American Family Radio. The delay, she says, could be due to a variety of reasons.
"… Potentially the DA [could be] looking for more witnesses that they still end up calling before the jury deliberates," she tells AFN. "They could be even considering pulling the whole process and concluding it without giving it to the grand jury to deliberate. So, there is a lot of speculation here."
Citing a source, Fox News reports the grand jury will not convene today (Thursday) either – and that since the panel does not sit on Fridays, a vote on the Trump case isn't expected this week.
Ellis argues that the drama surrounding a potential indictment has helped the former president. For example, she cites a report that the Trump campaign has raised approximately $1.5 million during the process. "So, in terms of this actually being a good thing for President Trump's campaign? Regardless whether it results in an indictment, at least short term that's been a significant outcome," she offers.
So for now, Ellis adds, it is working to Trump's advantage. Author and attorney Alan Dershowitz told Ellis Thursday morning he also sees a political advantage for the former president should the case go forward.
"If Donald Trump is arraigned and [the authorities make] a mug shot, his mug shot will be his campaign poster. It will be the most popular T-shirt worn; it will be portrayed all over the world; and it will help Donald Trump get elected," said Dershowitz.
"That's certainly not something that [Manhattan DA Alvin] Bragg wants to see happen; it's not something the Democrats want to see happen," the Harvard Law professor emeritus concluded. "They ought to understand it's going to backfire. They're going to make a martyr out of him if they indict him."
The legal expert told Fox News earlier this week that in his 60 years of practicing criminal law, "I have never seen a worse abuse of prosecutorial discretion."
