In recent months, Donald Trump has continued to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Last Tuesday, he was indicted for the third time, a historic and embarrassing moment for the United States. Never before has an ex-President running for re-election faced so many criminal charges. What’s even more troubling is that despite the previous indictments, Trump remains a front-runner in the Republican primaries, and polls indicate he’s competitive against President Joe Biden.
This latest indictment, unsealed by special counsel Jack Smith, is the most serious of all. It charges Trump’s attempt to subvert the will of voters and push the nation towards a coup as the most significant attack on America’s basic principles. The indictment should be seen as a grave concern for American democracy, highlighting that the country’s biggest national security threat lies within its own borders.
In many ways, the indictment confirms what we already knew or suspected since the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. The claims of ballot tampering were absurd lies, and it was evident that Trump was determined to remain in power. What sets this case apart is the meticulous evidence presented by Smith, showing that Trump and his co-conspirators knowingly lied about voter fraud. It paints a vivid picture of America’s brush with fascism during the last days of Trump’s presidency.
The indictment describes Trump’s attempt to pressure his vice president, Mike Pence, into overturning certified election results, even though top officials and courts had deemed his scheme untenable. Most disturbingly, it reveals that Trump and his accomplices were aware of inciting violence as part of their conspiracy. A White House counsel’s office member had warned that there would be riots across the country if Trump tried to remain in office, to which a top Justice Department official responded with reference to the Insurrection Act.
Predictably, Trump responded to the indictment with inflammatory remarks, comparing the legal process to Nazi Germany. However, this indictment is the least that Trump should be held accountable for, given the scale of his anti-democratic acts.
Fending off Trump, especially with three cases pending, is no simple task. Trump is likely to try and undermine the trial before the elections, and even if he goes on trial, there’s no definitive respite since he can still run and be elected even if convicted. The possibility of him returning to the White House after being charged with conspiring to “defraud the United States” is a nightmarish scenario, bringing the potential for disastrous policies and actions.
If Republicans nominate Trump again, they risk further damaging their reputation and losing any claim to caring about the core values of the country. The best-case scenario seems to be a Biden-Trump rematch, where Trump loses and claims victory, leading to more indictments and embarrassing history-making.
The indictment against Trump is a wake-up call for American democracy. It reveals the serious threats posed by domestic corruption and anti-democratic acts. The nation faces a critical juncture, and how it navigates these challenges will determine its future path. Ultimately, the hope is that reason, accountability, and respect for democratic principles prevail, putting an end to the madness.
