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The indictment of former US president Donald Trump is a significant moment in the country’s history and has implications for its democracy. Political scientists James D. Long and Victor Menaldo from the University of Washington provide context for Trump’s arraignment and discuss the potential impact on America.
The grand jury’s decision to indict Trump surprised many, including Long, who reflects on the critical role of the legal system in America’s functioning democracy. However, the fact that a former president now faces criminal liability is shocking, given Trump’s history of litigation and getting away with questionable behavior. Menaldo notes that fear of prosecution drives politics in all countries and across time.
Both scholars see the arrest and booking of Trump as symbolically significant. Long believes that Trump’s political stock has declined significantly, and he will likely use the image of his mug shot as a way to martyr himself. Menaldo cautions that Democrats and those involved in the judicial proceedings should be careful not to reinforce this weaponization narrative.
The scholars note that the prosecution’s handling of Trump’s arraignment will be crucial in shaping the image of the former president’s culpability. Long suggests that moderate Republicans are unlikely to vote for a candidate who is being prosecuted, while Menaldo observes that Trump’s best move is to claim he is being persecuted by a system that has been weaponized against him.
Overall, Long and Menaldo stress the importance of upholding the rule of law and preserving America’s democracy, even in the face of political turmoil. While the indictment of a former president is a rare and significant event, they believe that the country’s legal system is strong and that the judiciary will uphold its principles.
