[guest post by Dana]

Since the charges are still unknown, there really isn’t anything new to say. What we know at this point, however, is that the former president will turn himself in this afternoon and be charged in a Manhattan courtroom. Trump’s legal team has said that Trump will plead not guilty and will challenge “every potential issue”. Also, there will reportedly be no handcuffs or mug shot, as court officials and the Secret Service have deemed it unnecessary. Also, it was ruled by Judge Merchan that cameras will not be allowed in the courtroom, but a handful of pool reporters will be allowed to take still photos before the proceedings begin.

With that, I’ll leave you with a smart observation about the rule of law being undermined:

You hear it said in responsible quarters of the right that Democrats are undermining the rule of law by handing up an indictment of Donald Trump. Sure, they acknowledge, Trump has done terrible things, but by bringing this case, Democrats are twisting the law to get at one particular defendant, and that’s not the way things should work. Further, they argue, Democrats are inviting retaliatory lawsuits in the future and setting America on the path to banana republic status. These abuses, they urge, are just as dangerous, or perhaps more dangerous than what Republicans are saying and doing in Trump’s defense.

I beg to differ. The indictment by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is risky, but nothing about it undermines the rule of law. The risks are political and prudential. The Republicans, by contrast, are chest-deep in contempt for law.

Read the whole thing.

UPDATE: This afternoon, Trump plead not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Also, while no gag order was imposed, Judge Merchan made it clear that he would consider it if it proved necessary. Judge Merchan also warned Trump and his legal team, and even opposing counsel to avoid posting anything on social media that could incite violence.

The indictment is here.

The Statement of Facts is here.

–Dana