Democratic election attorney Marc E. Elias asserted on Sunday that President Donald Trump cannot expect a fair trial in the District of Columbia, pointing to Trump’s minimal votes in the recent Republican primary there.
Elias, the overseer of the “Democracy Docket,” which litigates on behalf of Democrats, purports to defend democracy but has been embroiled in contentious legal battles. He notably promoted the “Russia collusion” narrative, aiming to discredit the results of the 2016 presidential election. Elias also played a significant role in lawsuits aimed at changing voting laws before the 2020 election to enable mass vote-by-mail, a strategy crucial to Democratic turnout in swing states.
His statement not only acknowledged the challenge of a fair trial for Trump in a jurisdiction potentially biased against him but also celebrated this circumstance, suggesting it would facilitate the former president’s conviction.
Trump faces criminal charges from Special Counsel Jack Smith in the District of Columbia related to his efforts to contest the 2020 election results, a strategy Elias pursued, citing alleged issues with voting machines.
While Elias has not faced charges related to the “Russia collusion” narrative, he appeared as a witness in the trial of former Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann. Sussmann was acquitted by a D.C. jury, prompting debate over possible jury nullification by individuals opposed to Trump, considering the trial’s context.
