Former President Trump’s lawyer, Jenna Ellis, has revealed that a senior aide to Trump informed her that he had no intention of leaving the White House, despite losing multiple legal challenges. Ellis made this statement during a confidential proffer session with prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia. In a video obtained by ABC News and The Washington Post, Ellis explained that Trump’s aide, Dan Scavino, told her that “the boss” would not leave the White House under any circumstances, even though their cause was essentially over.
According to Ellis, Scavino’s statement indicated that he was serious and that it was part of a larger plan discussed with Trump. This revelation could serve as crucial evidence in both the Fulton case and Trump’s federal election subversion case in Washington, D.C., according to legal experts.
Former DeKalb County district attorney, Gwen Keyes, stated that Ellis’ testimony is an essential element in the indictment, as it shows that the defendants knew they were perpetrating a lie. Ryan Goodman, a former special counsel for the Pentagon, added that if prosecutors can prove that Trump knew he had lost and still tried to hold on to power, it would be game over for him.
Ellis’ testimony also aligns with previous statements made by Sidney Powell, another former Trump lawyer. Powell, who claimed to have little knowledge of election law, stated that she understood fraud from her experience as a prosecutor. She confirmed that Trump frequently sought updates on the legal efforts to challenge the election, even after publicly distancing himself from her.
Legal experts and commentators have described Ellis and Powell’s revelations as devastating, suggesting that Trump had no intention of accepting the election results and conspired with his lawyers to overthrow them. However, Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, dismissed Ellis’ statement as “meaningless” and stated that Trump had left the White House on January 20, 2021.
The video interviews with the defendants who pleaded guilty in Fulton County have provided overwhelming evidence for the prosecutors’ case, according to former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman. Despite the dismissal of Trump’s attorney, legal experts believe that Ellis and Powell’s testimonies strengthen the prosecution’s position.
