Former President Donald Trump’s Court Cases: Tainting the Presidency? (Democratic POV)

By: Carina Leo

(Jefferson Siegel/ New York Times)

Many may know former President Donald J. Trump, billionaire businessman and former CEO of the multi-billion dollar Trump Organization, for his tendency towards scandal and fiery twitter feed; however, his tumultuous legal state is an alarming testament to the effect he will have on the future of American politics. In the aftermath of the 2020 Election, the January 6th insurrection, and the questionable actions surrounding the Mar-a-Lago document sweep, Donald Trump's conduct reveals a disturbing pattern that not only undermines the democratic process but also stands as a disgrace to the esteemed office of the presidency. By understanding the charges brought against Former President Trump, we can uncover the impact he has had on the integrity of the nation’s highest office.

In total, a whopping four indictments, encompassing 91 counts of various high crimes have been brought against Former President Donald Trump. Where there is smoke, there is fire. The third indictment brought against Donald Trump centers around his attempts to interfere with the results of the 2020 election. He has been charged, in fact, with Conspiracy against rights and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. Him and 6 “co conspirators” (CNN) made calls trying to make this happen amid the chaos of the capitol riots, which included trying to push Mike Pence, former VP, to break the law. He used the capitol insurrection, of which he “...encouraged...” (Stokols and Hook, LA Times) his followers to carry out, to further his goal of winning the 2020 election. This led to serious charges against him such as Conspiracy against rights and Conspiracy to defraud the United States. His call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to encourage him to falsify enough votes to turn Georgia in the election (CNN) was key evidence involved in the federal and state cases against him. This trial is set for March 4, 2024, the day of the primaries, and a quick trial is needed so Trump or another republican President who could come into office cannot dismiss this case (The Atlantic).

(Image Credit Eric Lee, Bloomberg/Getty, January 6 Riots)

After he refused to concede the election, Trump went on to play a key and leading role in the January 6th insurrection. Trump's role in the insurrection became a focal point of the second impeachment trial he faced. The House of Representatives charged him with incitement to insurrection, asserting that his rhetoric and actions played a significant role in fueling the violence that unfolded on Capitol Hill. Later, despite bipartisan support for conviction, his acquittal furthered the political divisions surrounding President Trump. In face of such significant charges, many have gone so far as to raise questions about the stability of the office of the presidency itself, and took the events as a sign of erosion around the respect for democratic norms that have guided all previous generations of American politics. One such first in his presidency was being impeached on two separate occasions.

In June 2023, the legal saga surrounding Donald Trump took a new turn with the second indictment, exposing the whirlwind story of the Mar-a-Lago document sweep. Trump's refusal to return classified documents (as requested after he left office), even after repeated government efforts, raised serious legal concerns. The FBI, armed with a warrant from a federal judge, conducted a search at his Mar-a-lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, uncovered a volume of classified materials. The charges brought against Trump included 32 counts of willful retention of national defense information and several other counts, such as conspiracy to obstruct justice.

(Image Credit ABC News, Mar-A-Lago Estate)

As the legal chapters of Donald Trump's post-presidential era unfold, one overarching sentiment prevails: a profound disappointment in the conduct befitting the office of the presidency. The 2020 Election, the January 6th insurrection, and the Mar-a-Lago document sweep collectively paint a disheartening portrait of a leader willing to prioritize personal interests over the democratic values that define the nation. The trials ahead present an opportunity for accountability, a chance to assert that no individual, regardless of their political standing or social power, is above the principles that have long guided the presidency. The legacy of these events extends beyond the courtroom, serving as a stark reminder that the highest position in America’s executive branch demands a level of responsibility and respect that, regrettably, has been permanently tarnished.

Protess, Ben, et al. “Catch up on Where the Trump Investigations Stand.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 Feb. 2022, www.nytimes.com/article/trump-investigations-civil-criminal.html

Bowden, John. “Will Donald Trump Go to Prison?” The Independent, The Independent, 15 Nov. 2023, www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/will-donald-trump-go-to-prison-b2448035.html.

Graham, David A. “The Cases against Trump: A Guide.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 22 Nov. 2023, www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/donald-trump-legal-cases-charges/675531/.

Barrett, Devlin, et al. “Trump Workers Moved Mar-a-Lago Boxes a Day before FBI Came for Documents.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 May 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/05/25/trump-classified-documents-mar-a-lago/

O’Kruk, Amy; Merrill, Curt. “Tracking Donald Trump’s Indictments.” CNN, Cable News Network, www.cnn.com/interactive/2023 /07/politics/trump-indictments-criminalcases/#:~:text=Summary,integrity%20of%20the%202016%20election. Accessed 26 Nov. 2023.

Stokols, Eli, and Janet Hook. “Long Warned against Inciting Violence, Trump Does so with Supporters’ Capitol Siege.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2021, www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-01-06/news-analysis-trumps-violent-rhetoric-incites-supporters-capitol-takeover.