The Great American Saga continues as Department of Justice officials pile former President Donald J. Trump with a host of litigation connected to the election, payoffs and other misdeeds the conservative figurehead purportedly committed.
These lawsuits cover a wide range of issues, from defamation claims to alleged violations of campaign finance laws. Some cases involve individuals accusing Trump of misconduct or harmful actions during his time in office, while others pertain to business dealings and financial matters.
It is important to note that the outcome of these lawsuits is still unfolding and may vary. As with any legal proceedings, it is crucial to await the final decisions before drawing definitive conclusions.
Regardless of personal opinions or political affiliations, understanding and staying informed about these lawsuits can shed light on the complexities surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency and its aftermath.
Trumps’ History of Misdeeds
Jan 6th
Federal prosecutors led by special counsel Jack Smith have charged Trump with four federal crimes stemming from his attempts to derail the peaceful transfer of power. According to Politico:
“Trump has been charged with four crimes in the investigation. Two relate to the disruption of Congress’ certification of the electoral vote on Jan. 6. One alleges a scheme to defraud the United States through a sustained effort to impede the collection, counting and certification of votes in the 2020 election. And the fourth charge accuses Trump of a conspiracy to deprive citizens of a right secured under federal law — specifically, the right to vote and to have one’s vote counted.”
Georgia Election Interference
Trump and 18 of his allies were charged for these efforts, alleging a wide-ranging criminal enterprise. The lawsuit alleges Trump and his allies spread lies about voter fraud, urged Georgia officials and state lawmakers to reverse Biden’s win and plotted to send fake electors to Washington. In one of the most egregious acts in American history, the lawsuit alleges that on Jan. 2, 2021, Trump called Georgia’s secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, and urged him to “find” 11,780 votes — the number needed to overcome Biden’s victory.
The indictment accuses 19 named defendants of criminal wrongdoing and contains 41 state-law felony charges. Thirteen of those felonies are against Trump. The most serious is an alleged violation of the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly known as RICO. That law allows prosecutors to package multiple crimes if those crimes advance a single corrupt enterprise.
Trump Found with Classified Documents
After leaving the White House, Trump was accused of stealing secret documents found at his Mara Lago home. According to prosecutors, on at least two occasions, Trump showed classified documents to individuals not authorized to view them. Trump allegedly displayed a top-secret military plan of attack while telling visitors, “As president, I could have declassified it” but “now I can’t,” adding that the document he was showing them was “still a secret.” Trump is being charged on the Espionage Act, with a total of 32 counts. Of all his lawsuits this is the most likely to stick as it is all but clear Trump did take those documents.
What Does This Mean for Trump and the 2024 Elections?
The US is setting the stage for another presidential election in 2024. Joe Biden is set to run again for the Democratic Party, even though he faces challenges from political prince Robert Kennedy and actress Marianne Williamson. On the Republican side, Trump faces a litany of challengers including Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, and others. Yet Trump is by far and away the most likable Republican candidate.
Despite all his charges, Trump is as popular (and unpopular) as he has ever been. By this stage media figures and Democratic politicians should know none of this affects his approval. Not only that, but according to US law Trump could run even if indicted and jailed. One can only imagine what an election run from jail would look like.
While neither Trump nor Biden are too popular, Trump has a loyal following, while continuing to present a Joker-like charm to others. If Democrats continue to try and hammer him with litigation instead of addressing common American issues like inflation, medical debt and climate change, Trump could have a new angle into the White House once again.