‘TRAITOR’ Painted Onto Trump Lawyer Michael Van Der Veen’s Driveway

Topline

Trump defense attorney Michael van der Veen’s driveway was marked with graffiti on Friday, hours after the Pennsylvania-based personal injury lawyer first appeared in the Senate chamber to defend former President Donald Trump against impeachment — it’s the latest act of vandalism to hit a U.S. political figure in recent weeks.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“My entire family, my business, my law firm are under siege right now,” van der Veen said in an interview with Fox News.

Chief Critic

Jenna Ellis, an attorney who signed onto the Trump campaign’s unsuccessful efforts to overturn election results, called the reports of vandalism outside van der Veen’s house “unconscionable” and said she’s also dealt with threats.

Tangent

Several other high-profile figures have dealt with protests or vandalism this year. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said “Antifa scumbags” threatened his family on Jan. 4, two days before he contested President Biden’s electoral wins, though police say the protests outside his home that night were peaceful. Plus, both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) houses were tagged with graffiti in early January.

Key Background

Van der Veen was a late addition to Trump’s public impeachment defense, appearing before the Senate on Friday and Saturday alongside attorneys Bruce Castor and David Schoen. He used his appearances to chide Democrats and suggest their push to impeach Trump was a partisan exercise, calling the trial “constitutional cancel culture.”

Surprising Fact

Van der Veen was an unusual pick for Trump’s legal team because he sued Trump last year, accusing the former president of peddling unsubstantiated voter fraud claims.

Further Reading

From laughs over ‘Philly-delphia’ to vandalism at home, Trump lawyer Michael van der Veen draws backlash (Philadelphia Inquirer)