CNN Dem Panelist Shocks Jennings with Major Admission on Lawfare Against Trump [WATCH]

A CNN segment unexpectedly took a turn on Thursday when Democratic strategist Lis Smith appeared to confirm that the prosecution of President Donald Trump in New York was part of the broader Democratic effort to resist his presidency and influence the 2024 election.

During CNN’s The Arena with Kasie Hunt, a panel discussion included Smith—who previously served as communications advisor to former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg—and CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings.

The conversation focused on Democratic frustration following Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) move to support a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown, which some Democrats saw as a political concession.

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Jennings suggested that Democratic voters are increasingly angry with their own party’s leadership in Washington, to which Smith agreed.

“Democrats are learning … that Democrats can not only be the party of resistance,” Smith said.

“Like we resisted so hard between 2017 and 2024. We impeached the guy. Like, we prosecuted him. Convicted him of 34 felony counts. And guess what, he still got elected. I don’t know how much harder we can resist right now.”

Jennings appeared stunned by the admission.

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“Wait, are you admitting that the case against Trump in New York was part of the organized Democratic party resistance?” he asked.

Smith responded with a smile and laughter, then replied, “It was a Democratic prosecutor.”

Seeking clarification, Jennings pressed further.

“Just to be clear, everyone that now touts the 34 felonies, take it from Lis, this was not a real case,” Jennings said.

“This was a plot to upend the presidential campaign. Which backfired.”

Jennings later shared the exchange on X writing: “I can’t believe it. They finally admitted it on live TV: The prosecution of President Trump was an organized effort by the Democratic Party’s ‘resistance.’ Lawfare is real. The justice system was weaponized against President Trump.”

I can’t believe it. They finally admitted it on live TV:

The prosecution of President Trump was an organized effort by the Democratic Party “resistance.”

Lawfare is real. The justice system was weaponized against President Trump. pic.twitter.com/uvMKTHcA53

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) May 15, 2025

The comment referred to Trump’s recent conviction in a New York courtroom, where he was found guilty on 34 felony counts tied to alleged falsification of business records.

Trump and his allies have long maintained that the case was politically motivated, pointing out that the prosecution was led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat.

Critics of the conviction have pointed to comparisons with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, which also faced allegations of improperly reported expenses related to the Steele dossier—a key element of the now-discredited Russia investigation.

No charges were filed in that case.

The moment is likely to intensify concerns among Trump supporters and independent voters that the justice system is being used as a political tool.

Republican commentators and lawmakers have increasingly used the term “lawfare” to describe what they see as coordinated legal attacks on President Trump designed to hinder his 2024 campaign.

Jennings, a former advisor to President George W. Bush and a frequent contributor on CNN, has drawn attention in recent months for challenging left-leaning narratives live on-air.

His exchanges on topics ranging from immigration enforcement to the politicization of federal agencies have made him a prominent voice for conservative perspectives within the network.

Thursday’s admission from Smith adds fuel to ongoing Republican arguments that legal action against Trump has less to do with law and more to do with election strategy.

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