Northeast
Bragg’s absurd case against Trump finally gets its undeserved day in court
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Absent an eleventh-hour reprieve from a higher court, Donald Trump will become the first U.S. president to face a criminal trial when it commences on Monday in New York.
Let the circus begin.
The ringmaster of the Big Top clown show is Alvin Bragg, the progressive Manhattan district attorney who campaigned — unethically — on the promise to bring down Trump. Once in office, Bragg inflated a time-barred and nominal misdemeanor into a multitude of dubious felonies by mangling evidence and contorting the law.
TRUMP REQUEST TO DELAY HUSH-MONEY TRIAL DENIED FOR THIRD TIME
With a wave of his showman’s cane, Bragg transformed a singular transaction into 34 separate charges in what’s known as “count stacking” that no good prosecutor would ever do. It’s a transparent window into an otherwise opaque case.
Former President Donald Trump, left, squares off against progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg starting April 15. Photographer: Mary Altaffer/AP/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Getty Images)
The gravamen of the indictment is that in 2016 Trump used his lawyer to pay money to Stephanie Clifford (a.k.a. Stormy Daniels) in exchange for her silence about a purported affair that occurred a decade earlier, that he incorrectly recorded the payments in business records, and that all of it violated election laws, even though it did not.
Bragg surely knows his case is specious, at best. But it doesn’t matter. He’s counting on the sympathies of a liberal trial judge, Juan Merchan, and the venom of a jury pool destined to be dominated by Trump-hating New Yorkers. The once-respected standard of an “impartial jury” is being treated as a mere inconvenience instead of a constitutional right.
It is self-evident to many that the charges against the former president would be brought against no one else not named Trump. The fact that he is the leading candidate for president in the upcoming election is the only reason he is being persecuted under the guise of prosecution.
Even the left-leaning New York Times “could “identify only two other felony cases in Manhattan over the past decade in which defendants were indicted on charges of falsifying business records but no other crime.” This makes the DA’s legal theory not just untested, but absurd.
It is also an archetype of unequal justice. In the same 2016 election, Hillary Clinton secretly paid for the phony Steele dossier by using a lawyer to funnel the money while misreporting it as “legal expenses.” She was fined by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), but never prosecuted. Trump, however, is a disfavored Republican, so he is treated differently.
The most curious — and corrupt — aspect of Bragg’s case is that he still has not identified what underlying crime Trump supposedly committed. This, of course, is required under the Sixth Amendment. But no one, least of all Merchan, seems the least bit bothered by it. His honor ruled that Bragg had presented “legally sufficient evidence” to proceed. Okay, but under what law exactly?
In his malign indictment, the DA vaguely accuses Trump of “violating election laws” without specifying which ones were transgressed. No applicable statutes are set forth. The reason for the masquerade is obvious — in a state case, a local prosecutor has no authority to charge federal crimes allegedly committed during the course of a federal election. Period.
Stormy Daniels sat down with Piers Morgan for an interview available on Fox Nation (Fox News)
None of that is stopping Bragg or his sycophant judge. The DA asserts that any payments to Daniels were illegal campaign donations. Forget the fact that the FEC investigated Trump and concluded that said payments do not constitute unlawful donations. Never mind that the Department of Justice also studied the same expenditures and decided that no crimes were committed. Even Bragg’s predecessor, Cyrus Vance, chose not to charge Trump at the end of his years-long investigation.
It is well established that money paid in exchange for non-disclosure agreements (or NDAs, as they’re known) is perfectly legal and quite common. Corporations and individuals do it every day. You can assign the pejorative term of “hush money” if you want. But it is often a normal conclusion to settlement agreements and even encouraged by judges who are motivated to resolve lawsuits that clog their courts.
However, Bragg is insistent that since Trump’s then-attorney, Michael Cohen, pled guilty to a federal charge of making an illegal campaign contribution, then that somehow makes Trump guilty, too. It does not. There are two reasons for this. First, the plea of one person does not determine the guilt of another. Second, Cohen willingly pled guilty to a non-crime offered up by federal prosecutors to gain leniency in his sentencing for other crimes he committed, including fraud.
In the end, Cohen was shipped off to the hoosegow for telling so many whoppers that you’d need a calculator to keep track. Yet, Bragg has no reservations in featuring an inveterate and confessed perjurer as his star witness against Trump. The same has been said of Daniels, who peddled inconsistent stories about her putative relationship while preening for cameras in numerous interviews.
The only credible case that Bragg could bring against Trump is falsely representing an NDA reimbursement as a payment for legal services to Cohen. But even that improbable legal theory (which requires evidence of an “intent to defraud” that is difficult to prove) constitutes a mere misdemeanor.
Moreover, it is barred by the statute of limitations that expired four years before the indictment. So, to circumvent the extinct statute, Bragg is cleverly twisting the law by attaching the misdemeanor to a felony that has not lapsed, but over which he has no jurisdiction.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION
A conscientious and able judge would have long ago halted Bragg’s abusive machinations. But Merchan is neither. Instead, he is blithely enabling the district attorney’s illicit scheme to “get Trump” by ignoring fundamental rules of law, as well as his own duty to see that justice is fairly administered.
The charges against Trump are a prime example of selective prosecution driven by political animus. It is a patently partisan attempt to interfere in a presidential election. Manipulating the legal system by bringing a slew of spurious criminal charges against an opponent to delegitimize his candidacy is reprehensible “lawfare.”
It is self-evident to many that the charges against the former president would be brought against no one else not named Trump. The fact that he is the leading candidate for president in the upcoming election is the only reason he is being persecuted under the guise of prosecution.
It has gained in popularity, especially among media handmaidens who have happily embraced the righteous cause by declaring Trump guilty in the court of public opinion before any trial has ever begun.
Will their chicanery work? I doubt it.
What Biden Democrats and the liberal press underestimate is the intelligence of American voters. They see the dirty tricks of Alvin Bragg, Georgia DA Fani Willis, special counsel Jack Smith, and Attorney General Merrick Garland for exactly what they are — a pernicious attempt to steal an election through an abuse of our legal system.
Instead of ruining Trump, their antics have fortified his popular support. A growing number of people see the former president not as a villain, but as a victim of unscrupulous political enemies who weaponized the law to destroy him.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM GREGG JARRETT
Read the full article from Here
Best Stationery, Gus & Ruby / Photo by Lindsay Hackney
Stationery
GUS & RUBY
At Gus & Ruby, stationery isn’t just paper—it’s personality, pressed and printed to perfection. Beloved for their inventive designs, hand-rendered illustrations, and luxurious letterpress, this New England favorite crafts suites that tell your story from the very first envelope. Founders and longtime friends Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield lead their team to infuse every project with warmth, wit, and impeccable taste, making each invitation a true keepsake. gusandruby.com.
Photographer
CITYLUX STUDIOS
CityLux Studios captures weddings with the cinematic flair of a Vogue spread and the heart of a love story. Known for luminous tones, modern composition, and effortlessly emotive moments, this Boston-based team turns real life into high art. Married couple and founders Sarah and Peter blend editorial precision with genuine connection to create luminous imagery that feels as timeless as the love it celebrates. citylux.studio.
Videographer
STOPGOLOVE
Founded by filmmakers Jared Haskell and Jason McCutchen, StopGoLove turns real moments into modern, cinematic stories. Their style is clean, intentional, and emotionally honest—beautiful composition, smart pacing, and an instinct for the in-between beats that make a film feel alive. The result is wedding cinema with editorial polish and zero pretense: story first, style built in. stopgolove.com.
Floral Studio
ORLY KHON
Orly Khon doesn’t just arrange flowers; she composes living art. Known for her moody, romantic designs that balance wildness with refinement, Khon approaches each event like a painter at her canvas, blending texture, color, and movement into unforgettable floral moments. Whether it’s a delicate tablescape or a lush, architectural ceremony design, her work feels both timeless and a touch rebellious—much like the modern couples she designs for. orlykhon.com.
Best Catering, Max Ultimate Food / Photo by Person Killian Photography
Catering
MAX ULTIMATE FOOD
Turning culinary imagination into edible art, this Boston-based team delivers restaurant-level dining with the precision of a luxury event planner. Creative tasting menus, impeccable service, and presentation that’s anything but predictable make every celebration unforgettable. From passed hors d’oeuvres to late-night bites, every detail is, well, ultimate. maxultimatefood.com.
Best Cakes, Lizzie’s Bakery / Photo by Lushi Song
Cakes
LIZZIE’S BAKERY
Whimsical yet sophisticated, these confections are as delicious as they are striking—think handpainted details, sculptural sugar florals, and modern, clean-lined tiers. Behind the magic is Lizzie Johnson, a Food Network alum with a fine-art eye and a love of bold flavor, crafting designs that feel personal, polished, and picture perfect. Sweet beauty, inside and out. lizziesbakery.com.
Best Band, Hot Mess / Photo by Shannon Bialy Photography
Band
HOT MESS
No cookie-cutter wedding playlists here. This Boston-based band is known for turning every crowd into a dance-floor frenzy, thanks to powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and an uncanny ability to read the room. Whether it’s a soulful slow jam or a pop anthem that gets Grandma on her feet, they bring the perfect blend of polish and pure fun. Simply put: They don’t just play the party, they are the party. hotmessrocks.com.
DJ
C-ZONE ENTERTAINMENT
For couples who want a packed dance floor and a soundtrack that feels uniquely theirs, this Boston-based team delivers. With decades of experience, seamless mixing, and an intuitive sense for what the crowd craves, these DJs curate moments that move effortlessly from first dance to final encore. Sophisticated, high-energy, and always in tune with the couple’s style—this is music done right. czonemusic.com.
Photo Booth
ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALISTS
A photo booth should be as stylish as the celebration itself, and this team delivers just that. With sleek setups, creative backdrops, and instant share options, they turn snapshots into unforgettable keepsakes. Whether it’s a glam booth worthy of the red carpet or a playful setup packed with props, they make every moment memorable and a whole lot of fun. entertainmentspecialists.com.
Best Wedding Planner, Baciare Events / Photo by Constance Schiano
Wedding Planner
BACIARE EVENTS
Founders Ashley Saffer and Renée Sabo are masters of turning dream days into beautifully lived experiences. With a blend of creativity, calm precision, and genuine care, they craft weddings that feel effortless, elegant, and deeply personal. Whether it’s an intimate coastal gathering, a grand ballroom affair, or a celebration halfway across the world, their team ensures every detail is seamless. baciareevents.com.
Event Designer
TYGER EVENT DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Founded by principal Ty Kuppig, this design and production studio brings a couture sensibility to every celebration. With an architect’s eye and a storyteller’s instinct, Kuppig transforms venues into cinematic settings layered with texture, light, and mood. From sculptural floral moments to bold, modern palettes, each event feels elevated, expressive, and entirely one of a kind. tygerproductions.com.
Hairstylist
MONIKA RAMIZI, SALON MARIO RUSSO
Known for her “try-anything” attitude and calming presence, Monika Ramizi approaches bridal beauty with both artistry and ease. Whether it’s soft, romantic waves, a sleek modern updo, or something entirely unexpected, she tailors each look to the bride’s personality and vision. The result is hair that feels fresh, confident, and camera-ready from the first look to the final dance. mariorusso.com.
Makeup Artist
BEAUTY BY NELSE
For Nelse Karini, makeup is more than artistry; it’s empowerment. A self-taught talent with a passion for helping women look and feel their best, she’s known for her luminous, skin-first approach and ability to create a flawless finish that still feels like you. Brides love her mix of precision and personality—equal parts perfectionist and hype woman—and the confidence that comes with her chair-side magic. beautybynelse.com.
Bridal Boutique
L’ÉLITE BRIDAL
A destination for the fashion-forward bride, this Newbury Street institution curates an elite roster of global designers—from Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier to Berta and Ines Di Santo. With more than three decades of experience, the boutique’s expert stylists and in-house tailoring team deliver a couture-level experience that feels as personal as it is polished. Every gown is chosen for its artistry, craftsmanship, and that unforgettable moment when a bride sees herself and knows: This is the one. lelite.com.
Best Wedding Dress Designer, Candice Wu Couture / Photo by Reinhardt Kenneth
Wedding Dress Designer
CANDICE WU COUTURE
With a couture sensibility and a flair for the unexpected, Candice Wu redefines modern bridal style. Her gowns balance romance and edge, featuring exquisite craftsmanship, sculptural silhouettes, and intricate detailing that make every look unforgettable. Whether ethereal and whimsical or sleek and daring, each design embodies her signature blend of elegance, confidence, and artistry. candicewucouture.com.
Best Engagement Rings, Boston Diamond Company / Photo courtesy of Boston Diamond Company
Engagement Rings
BOSTON DIAMOND COMPANY
Discerning brides and grooms turn to this Newbury Street jeweler for more than sparkle—they come for expertise. Owner Stephanie Binder and her team of certified gemologists offer a refreshingly educated approach to fine jewelry, guiding clients through every facet of diamond selection with honesty, precision, and an impeccable eye for design. Whether sourcing an exceptional natural stone or creating something from the boutique’s Pure Luxe Lab collection of lab-grown diamonds, each piece reflects the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Because true luxury isn’t loud; it’s brilliantly, quietly flawless. bostondiamond.com.
Wedding Bands
LONG’S JEWELERS
For more than a century, Long’s Jewelers has been synonymous with craftsmanship, integrity, and enduring style. This fifthgeneration, family-owned jeweler bridges heritage and modernity with a collection of wedding bands that balance artistry and intention. Each piece is designed to feel as effortless as it is enduring—refined in form, rich in meaning, and unmistakably elevated. A modern icon of lasting love and impeccable taste. longsjewelers.com.
Rentals
DEZ COLLECTIVE
At Dez Collective, design lives in the details. This Boston-based studio curates a thoughtful collection of furniture, tabletop, and décor that elevates weddings from stylish to unforgettable. With a deeply honed instinct for atmosphere, the team creates layered environments that feel intentional, artful, and entirely now: the kind of spaces that photograph as beautifully as they feel. dezcollective.com.
Urban Venue
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
A landmark of art and architecture, the Boston Public Library offers one of the city’s most breathtaking backdrops for a wedding. Beneath vaulted ceilings and along marble corridors, history and grandeur converge in a way that feels both timeless and distinctly Boston. Partnering exclusively with the Catered Affair, the venue hosts some of the city’s most luxurious celebrations, yet it’s also possible to exchange vows here in a one-hour ceremony that costs little more than a library card. Either way, the setting is unforgettable. bpl.org.
Historic Venue
THE GREAT HOUSE AT THE CRANE ESTATE
High above the Ipswich coast, the Great House at the Crane Estate feels like stepping into another era. Designed in 1928 by architect David Adler for industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr., the 59-room Stuart-style mansion crowns a 165-acre National Historic Landmark surrounded by salt marshes, barrier beaches, and sweeping ocean views. The property’s showstopper, the Grand Allée, a 2,060-foot lawn that stretches from the mansion to the water’s edge, offers a photo backdrop worthy of royalty. craneestateevents.com.
Best Coastal Venue, Wychmere Beach Club / Photo by Alex Paul
Coastal Venue
WYCHMERE BEACH CLUB
If it’s possible to have glamour on the beach, this is where it lives. In Harwich, Wychmere Beach Club merges Cape Cod’s oceanfront ease with a distinctly polished edge. Expansive water views, clean architectural lines, and light-filled spaces create a setting that feels both elevated and elemental: seaside sophistication, perfected. wychmerebeachclub.com.
Rustic Venue
THE BARN AT GIBBET HILL
If “rustic” makes you think of mason jars, think again. The Barn at Gibbet Hill redefines the genre with its soaring post-and-beam architecture, polished wood interiors, and panoramic views of rolling pastureland. Set on a working farm in Groton, the venue blends country character with refined hospitality: think firefly evenings, farm-to-table menus, and sunsets that wash the hills in gold. barnatgibbethill.com.
Best Ballroom Venue, Fairmont Copley Plaza / Courtesy photo
Ballroom Venue
FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA
In the heart of the Back Bay, the Fairmont Copley Plaza is Boston’s grande dame—all gilded ceilings, marble columns, and chandeliers that seem to glow from another century. A Beaux Arts masterpiece with unmistakable presence, it brings drama to the classic ballroom wedding. Yet behind the opulence is a pulse of modern sophistication: flawless service, effortless style, and a setting that never goes out of fashion. fairmont-copley-plaza.com.
Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Boston Weddings’ guide to the best wedding vendors in the city.
Light rain is expected to arrive in the Pittsburgh area this afternoon with the best chance for rain coming later in the week.
Any Alert Days Ahead? No
Aware: Snow continues to melt, with yesterday’s snow depth measuring 2″ still. Thursday will be a good day for most to ‘clean the yard’.
Snow continues to slowly melt off. Today should be a big day with light rain and warm temperatures helping to bring snow depth totals in Pittsburgh down from yesterday’s 2″ down to an inch or less by Wednesday morning. By Wednesday evening, most of the snow will be off the ground, with exceptions for shaded areas.
If you have dogs, Thursday is going to be the best time to get outside to ‘clean the yard’. Our best chance for rain this week comes Friday through Saturday, with rain and some rumbles expected.
For today, rain chances arrive right at noon and stick around through 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Rain totals will not be very impressive. I am only expecting five hundredths of an inch or less for most places. The best chance for rain will probably occur around 7 p.m this evening through around 10 p.m. A lot of your afternoon will be dry.
When it comes to temperatures, morning lows dipped to the low 30s this morning and highs today should be around 50 degrees. Yesterday’s high of 47 degrees was a good four degrees warmer than what I forecast for our daily high. It felt amazing outside. We will see more ‘mild’ weather this week with highs in the mid-40s on Wednesday behind the rain. Thursday highs should hit the mid-50s. I still have Friday highs near 60 degrees.
Before wrapping things up, I do want to quickly talk about Sunday morning’s weather with rain, snow, & sleet all expected over just a couple of hours. Travel in some spots will be slowed with the rapid drop in temperatures, slick conditions, and windy conditions. At this point, the usual suspects of the Ridges, Laurel Highlands, places north of I-80, and the snowbelt of Armstrong and Indiana counties will be most impacted. We will continue to have more on timing and what to expect for the rest of the week, but at least for now, I wanted to give an early warning about what is heading our way.
WEATHER LINKS:
Current Conditions | School Closings & Delays | Submit Your Weather Photos
‘Stranger Things’ is over, but did they get the ending right? : Pop Culture Happy Hour
Power bank feature creep is out of control
After Maduro, Venezuela power vacuum exposes brutal insiders and enforcers
Pelosi heir-apparent calls Trump’s Venezuela move a ‘lawless coup,’ urges impeachment, slams Netanyahu
Common pain relievers may raise heart disease and stroke risk, doctors warn
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Pelosi heir-apparent calls Trump’s Venezuela move a ‘lawless coup,’ urges impeachment, slams Netanyahu
EU Commission examines childlike sexual images created by Musk’s AI
Lawmakers split over Maduro’s seizure. And, CDC cuts childhood vaccine schedule
Federal officials to halt more than $10B in funding to 5 states over non-citizen benefit concerns: report
US critics and allies condemn Maduro’s abduction at UN Security Council
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
Business1 week agoInstacart ends AI pricing test that charged shoppers different prices for the same items
-
Business1 week agoApple, Google and others tell some foreign employees to avoid traveling out of the country
-
Technology1 week agoChatGPT’s GPT-5.2 is here, and it feels rushed
-
Politics1 week ago‘Unlucky’ Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle