During the course of the criminal investigations into Donald Trump, the former president has expected his co-defendants, alleged co-conspirators, and potential witnesses for the prosecution to remain loyal to him. However, this demand has backfired, as it has driven several key witnesses to consider turning against Trump before he can do the same to them. Trump’s one-sided notion of extreme loyalty has created a divide between him and his former allies. Some potential witnesses have started to prioritize self-preservation in their legal strategies.
Trump’s search for sacrificial pawns and scapegoats has led to a further rift between him and his former associates. Some of those who have been ensnared in the criminal probes have questioned the benefits of risking jail time for Trump. They have realized that Trump would not offer them any significant rewards or support in return. This has led to a shift in their loyalty and a focus on protecting themselves.
Lawyer Sidney Powell, for example, has faced legal consequences for her false claims against Dominion Voting Systems. Despite her previous adulation of Trump, she has received no meaningful help from him. Trump has distanced himself from her publicly and allowed others to blame her for any criminal wrongdoing. Powell has taken a plea deal, shocking many of Trump’s lawyers and loyalists. Meanwhile, Trump’s communications aide, Liz Harrington, has claimed that Trump was “confused” by his allies’ plea deals, indicating his belief that no crimes were committed.
While some witnesses contemplate cooperating with authorities, others have already chosen to publicly flip, a decision that Trump views as betrayal. Attorney Jenna Ellis, who was charged in the Fulton County election-subversion case, expressed her disappointment in Trump’s abandonment of his co-defendants. She revealed that Trump was not funding their legal defense and questioned why the pro-Trump Super PAC, MAGA, Inc., was not providing support. Ellis eventually accepted a plea deal, admitting to making false statements about the election.
Throughout this year, Trump’s attorneys have been concerned about the possibility of key figures cooperating with prosecutors. One such figure, Kenneth Chesebro, accepted a plea deal in Fulton County but denied turning against Trump. However, Chesebro and his legal team have hinted that others in Trump’s circle should bear the blame. Trump’s inner circle has been compiling lists of potential fall guys, including lawyers like Chesebro, to protect Trump with an “advice of counsel” defense.
Talking to federal investigators, regardless of whether one has a formal cooperation agreement or not, can lead to being branded a traitor or a snitch in Trump’s eyes. Trump struggles to differentiate between witnesses who flip and those who provide useful information during interviews. Trump and his closest advisers have been trying to determine the extent of Mark Meadows’ cooperation with prosecutors. Meadows testified before grand juries in both the Mar-a-Lago classified-documents case and the investigation into Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Some advisers have even referred to Meadows as a rat. Recent reports suggest that Meadows was granted immunity to reveal potentially damaging details about Trump and the aftermath of the election. Trump is skeptical of these reports and believes Meadows should invoke executive privilege.
If Meadows and other witnesses follow Trump’s demands for blanket defiance of prosecutors, they could face jail time. Trump’s attorneys attempted to block Meadows from testifying before a federal grand jury, citing executive privilege. However, the argument was rejected. Former Trump administration official Peter Navarro tried a similar tactic in defying a congressional subpoena and was convicted of contempt of Congress.
