so while they may well have signed such agreements, they're not legally bound to do anything illegal such as commit perjury or obstruct justice or falsify official documents.

more likely they're lying because they know damn well they're all up to their necks in illegal activity and their best shot at getting away with it is for all of them to lie about it.

even though they're not good at it.

An NDA does not require you to lie, nor does it relieve you of any legal obligation to disclose a fact.

For example, if I pay you $X under a confidential agreement, you cannot then simply fail to report your income to the IRS. You have a legal obligation to report your income, and you cannot enter into some private agreement not to do so.

Would Trump's NDA's prevent signees from revealing information if they were before Mueller's grand juries?

I suspect they would but thanks, in advance, jberryhill.

No NDA could prevent you being compelled to reveal information to a grand jury regarding a criminal matter.

Trump's NDA's are probably worthless, anyway. If someone did violate one, Trump would have the burden of proof and it would inevitably lead to further disclosures.

Have a great afternoon, Kentonio.

Most NDA's will mention something along the lines of "unless otherwise obligated to do so by law" or language to that effect.

One minor thing that can come up is in the event of a subpoena. A subpoena, like any other order, can be challenged on a variety of grounds (overbroad, relevance, etc.). Typically, if you are subpoenaed to disclose information subject to an NDA, you should provide the other party with notice of the subpoena so that they have the opportunity to challenge it.

"If someone did violate one, Trump would have the burden of proof and it would inevitably lead to further disclosures."

Not necessarily. First, it's a good idea to put a liquidated damages provision into an NDA. I see a lot of them where I wonder how the other side would intend to prove up damages. Instead, a "liquidated damages" clause is essentially a statement that, "if you violate this, you owe me $X, flat out."

Also, papers in a civil case can be sealed, and are frequently sealed to protect things like trade secrets or other proprietary information. All one has to do is to file a suit in breach of contract (the NDA) and then move to have the rest of it sealed as it relates to the details.

I knew you'd have knowledge of this, jberryhill.

But there isn't a chance in hell that I'd publicly lie to maintain one, although I might refuse to talk. I absolutely wouldn't even consider even for a single heartbeat though lying to law enforcement or refusing to discuss something simply because of an NDA. No NDA provides any kind of indemnity against criminal activity.