Oral Arguments on Trump's presidential immunity wrapped up! A tough morning for Trump, it seems. - 1/9/24

1/11/24 Update: I want to tell you a short storyline and my personal observation of the oral argument session on Tuesday.

I did not sleep well that night on Tuesday so I got up at 3:00 as I told you I would in my earlier vlog. The ride to DC was smooth and quiet. Not many people on the bus and subway. I went outside from the famous Union Station, not far from Gallaudet. The sky was dark and black with some light glaring upwards to the sky from street light posts and from the Capitol Rotunda. I felt like the city was deserted but not for long when I began to see many police cars past me as I was walking towards the courthouse on Constitution Ave. Many trash truckers were parked on some of the streets, they were there to block some wacko people trying to crash into people or the courthouse. I joined a line to enter the courthouse at around 5:30. I would say about 10 people in front of me. By 6:30, about half of these people were bought out by real media folks. So much for the rule. I knew the rule was not enforceable and I did not see any US marshals or anyone from the courthouse to monitor the line. By that time, I would say 35 people behind me in the line. I was a bit impatient and hungry because I had not had my first coffee or breakfast snack since I left the house. A US marshal let us in the building but behind the metal detectors. It felt like forever before I went through the detectors. I asked a US marshall what time the caferteria opened he said 8. I said to myself, "not yet open?" I proceeded and took an elevator to the 5th floor with a bunch of people who were standing in front of me in the line outside. I started to talk to several people in the hallway. there were two lines in the hallway, one for the public and the other for the media. I was with the public line. I left the line 5 minutes before the cafeteria on the 1st floor opened I picked up a cup of coffee and a delicious chocolate chip cookie and quickly went upstairs. I felt better. Two people in my line held my spot while I was gone. I was grateful for that. While waiting for our entry to the courtroom, I saw and recognized a face who was behind me. I could not figure out so I asked one person in front of me who was talking a bit with that person with the familiar face. It was George Conway. His ex wife was Kelly Ann Conway. He lost some weight. I introduced myself to him and he did the same. Not much was said but George seemed nice and approachable. We all had to go through the metal detector outside the courtroom. The process was just as slow as it was on the first floor. Everyone was as patient as could be. Very interesting from this point to the end... I had thought the door we were going to go to the courtroom. Wrong, we went into a waiting room with coat racks and a few chairs and we made a left turn into the courtroom. The room shocked me to the core. Beautiful! Many oil painted pictures of judges on side walls. Many people had already took their seats in front and right behind 2 government and Trump lawyer tables. I stopped and looking around with my jaw dropped to the floor before I was led to the back row by a Court staff person. Everything was very orderly. We had to follow what was instructed by the staff, assuming because Trump was coming (?) or just standard protocol? As soon as I sat down, George Conway sat down and shook my hand with a big smile on his face. To today, I have no idea why. While we were waiting for Trump to come in, I looked around in AWE. I was very awestruck. Never thought I would be in a room like that, ever! Why? Of course, I would see Trump in person but I saw Jack Smith. I was rather surprised to see him there. He was right there, I would say maybe 13 steps from where I was sitting. Jack was quiet and not talking to anyone. He was sitting in the front row in the left column (7 rows). I was in the right column (the last row). I was sitting at the right end of the row, 2 feet from the side wall. I kept on looking around until everyone shifted their faces to the right, at once... why? It was Trump walking in from the side door. I was floored by how healthy and confident Trump looked. Not quite like the frail Biden. At ALL. Yes, Trump looked somber and was quiet. As soon as he was nearing the lawyer table, he mouthed "where do I sit" or something like that. (I am not proficient at lip reading at all) but I think I understood what he was saying to someone I assume one of his lawyers. Trump sat respectfully and stared forward. Waiting patiently until the judges arrived... on time! 9:31. I looked at my watch. As soon as the judges came in the room, everyone was standing up right away. So did Trump. It showed he has respect for the rule of law. Judge Childs started the proceeding. She appeared to be scowling at a Trump lawyer, Mr. Sauer when he was starting to speak. I could see her face from where I was sitting. She looked as if she was reprimanding the lawyer. Note: I did not understand what was said the whole time. However, I could tell Mr. Sauer was surprised and flustered by the way he was standing before the panel. His feet were shifting sideways. I did not see his face when he was speaking to Judge Childs. I could see his face when he was speaking to Judges Henderson (in the center of the panel) and Pan (right). At that time, I knew the Trump team was off to a bad start and all the way to the end. All the judges were very aggressive with Mr. Sauer. Henderson was not bad, sort of. All 3 judges appeared soft on a government lawyer, Mr. Pearce. The session was quick. Just as soon as Mr. Sauer concluded his rebuttal, the judges rose and left the room fast. Ended at 10:46. Trump rose and walked to the side door slowly. Looked sober. Expressionless. Behavior steady. I think I saw opposing lawyers met and shook hands between the tables. I found it interesting. Customary? Normal for both sides? No idea. George rose and shook my hand saying "Best Wishes with my blogs." I did not tell who I sided. We did not talk about Trump or anything while we were waiting in the hallway outside the courtroom. Everyone was free to wander around in the courtroom. I was only about 3 feet from Jack Smith. To my surprise, he looked normal and very unassuming. He did not appear to be paranoid by outside people like me near the government table. Same color suit and tie as you would see on TV or in picture. He is about my height. A bit thinner in person. Trump bigger than on TV, actually. A very intriguing atmosphere. A sense of power and history being made right there! I was telling George "Future generations will look at us" He said, "Yep". I then went outside and blogged in the rain. I brought my backyard with notebooks and power supply for my phone with me. After I blogged, I walked in the rain towards the White House area, about 13 blocks away. I was only about 2 blocks away from the WH, I realized I left my backpack behind. I turned back and walked hurriedly. I ran for a block and walked and ran... so on. I was getting so soaked. Luckily, no one took the backpack, it was on the stairs in front of the courthouse. Several media tents were nearby. I never turned back to the WH. Totally soaked and shivering, I went back to the Union Station instead, just to get dry. I wore 3 layers of shirts. I took all but one. I had to dry my hair in the bathroom. Starved so I ordered a long sub for lunch. I pulled off my leather boots to get my socks dry. I stayed in the building for an hour before taking a ride home, I got home soaked, at 4:30. I was getting concerned I might get sick. I have not gotten sick as of yet. So, I am glad I could go and witnessed the historic moment. I will never forget the court proceedings as long as I live. I will make one more vlog in ASL on what I just wrote here. Maybe?