Let’s cut right to the chase: Why hasn’t there been an indictment against Donald Trump, why hasn’t he been arrested, and why is he still walking the streets as a free man?
Politics
After decades of illegal business practices, multiple blatant attempts to overturn the results of the democratically held 2020 presidential election, and his starring role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill insurrection and attempt to dismantle democracy, many Americans are wondering why Donald Trump isn’t behind bars. In fact, with cases against him in New York City, New York State, Georgia, and on the federal level, many expected Trump to leave The White House for the last time in handcuffs. So, why didn’t he?
Last month, multiple prosecutors inside the Manhattan District Attorney’s office walked out on the job and quit after their new boss, Alvin Braggs, seemed uninterested in seeking an indictment against Trump.
“No case is perfect. Whatever the risks of bringing the case may be, I am convinced that a failure to prosecute will pose much greater risks in terms of public confidence in the fair administration of justice.”
– Mark F. Pomerantz, former prosecutor
To date, Trump is still as politically active as ever. He continues to hold political rallies, has been teasing the possibility of seeking reelection in 2024, and is setting the stage for a political coup of historic proportions that would guarantee him victory and a return to Washington for another term.
Additionally, the congressional investigation of Trump appears to be moving at a snail’s pace. If the probe continues into the fall and summer, Democrats run the risk of losing both houses of Congress during the 2022 midterms and having the investigation shut down by Trump-controlled Republicans.
So, what’s going on here? Where’s the indictment against Trump and when will we see him in an orange jumpsuit and learning a new trade inside a prison yard?
According to Slate, it’s possible we may never see an indictment against Donald Trump.
Yes, despite the Department of Justice team and their probe into January 6, New York Attorney General Tish James’ civil examination of Trump’s business, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s criminal investigation of Trump’s business, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ criminal investigation of Trump’s telephone-recorded efforts to subvert the election in Georgia, and Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah’s criminal investigation of the Trump Organization’s Westchester golf course, NONE of this may ever come to fruition.
Why, you ask? The reasoning is based on fear and political retribution.
Regarding fear, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is afraid that he might not be able to win his case against Trump. A loss from his office would not only be a waste of millions of taxpayer dollars but could prove to be a national embarrassment and a political death knell for Bragg.
Additionally, some federal and state officials are fearful that prosecuting Trump could unleash more political disruption and potential violence, or, possibly promote Trump’s political clout for a future campaign.
“If you indict Trump, you run the risk of having a sort of major revolt” among his supporters, said David M. Dorsen, a former assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York and assistant chief counsel of the Senate Watergate Committee. He added the legitimate fear that if you go after “the king” and you miss — with an acquittal or a hung jury — the consequences could be more disastrous than doing nothing at all.
However, the larger concern relates to what a Trump indictment could mean for America’s political future.
If Donald Trump — the undisputed face of the Republican Party — is placed behind bars and celebrated as a victory for Democrats and those who’ve always despised ‘The Donald,’ future GOP-controlled governments would almost certainly seek revenge for decades to come. Or, in other words, Republican congressional leaders and conservative state and city district attorneys would likely find some bogus way to indict and arrest every Democratic ex-president the moment he leaves The White House.
Blood would be drawn, a precedent would be set, and it would be (politically) “game on” for perpetuity.
So, should Donald Trump just be let off the hook for all his transgressions? It’s possible this might be the outcome. However, there are other remedies.
For all his crimes to date, Trump could be charged in criminal court. He could be pursued in civil court. He could be offered the “Spiro T. Agnew” deal of having all prosecution against him dropped provided he agrees to disappear into the sunset. He could be threatened with future prosecution and be made to promise to walk the straight-and-narrow or else face future punishment.
Or, they could simply just let him go.
With the multiple cases and myriad evidence against Donald Trump, it’s almost a crime we’ve not seen one single indictment against him yet. Would it be an even bigger crime if he simply escapes all prosecution and walks away scot-free?
OK WASSUP! discusses Politics:
Where’s the indictment against Donald Trump?
Daily News: I get why people are angry; I count myself among them. It’s fair to say that any ordinary citizen who committed similar offenses would have been swiftly indicted by the Justice Department. Want proof? Look at the 750 Capitol rioters who have already been arrested. They are minions compared to the man who instigated the attack and on whose behalf they acted — the man the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot recently referred to as a member of a “criminal conspiracy.” But, having worked as both a state and federal prosecutor and as a defense attorney, I know that there are Justice Department considerations in play beyond a simple analysis of whether there is sufficient evidence to indict Trump on criminal violations. Every competent prosecutor knows why Garland and the Department of Justice have not indicted Trump. I’m going to say it out loud.… Read more »