Cyrus Vance Jr., a former Manhattan District Attorney, expressed skepticism on Sunday regarding former President Donald Trump’s likelihood of facing jail time. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Vance addressed the complexities surrounding Trump’s sentencing.
Vance Discusses Trump’s Sentencing
“The president has made this a little more complicated by having been found in contempt 10 times during the court,” Vance noted. Despite these complications, Vance suggested that the timing of key political events could influence the court’s decision. “With the proximity of the Republican Convention four days after his sentencing, and then, if he is the candidate for the Republican Party, the proximity of the election, I would be surprised that he would be sentenced to any imprisonment,” he said.
Vance also mentioned the possibility of delaying the sentencing until after the general election, adding, “The court could adjourn sentencing until after the general election and decide then.”
Vance on Jail Time and Conflicts of Interest
When asked if he would urge jail time for Trump as DA, Vance deferred to the current Manhattan DA, Alvin Bragg, stating, “That’s for Mr. Bragg to decide.”
Vance also addressed concerns about Justice Juan Merchan’s small donations to the Biden campaign and Democratic causes. He dismissed these donations as insignificant, saying, “I don’t think a $20 donation and a $30 donation rise to the serious appearance of a conflict,” despite strong Republican objections.
“I know Judge Merchan. He was our grand jury judge when we prosecuted the Trump organization, and I think he is honest as the day is long,” Vance said. “He was careful, he was caring, and I think he handled a very difficult trial with a neutral hand and gave the president every benefit of the doubt that he was entitled to under the law.”
Politics and Prosecutions
Vance dismissed the notion that Trump is being persecuted for his beliefs but acknowledged the role politics can play in legal proceedings. He cited the case of Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, who was indicted by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in 2015. “President Trump asked Bharara to stay on, and that investigation continued. So President Trump fired Bharara and brought in a Republican U.S. Attorney, Geoff Berman. Geoff Berman continued the investigation into the president, so the president fired him, too,” Vance recounted.
COMMENTS