Trump Guilty on All 34 Charges in NY Case
Conviction fuels political divisions; affects future campaigns.
As we all know by now, yesterday former President Donald Trump was found guilty of the 34 counts against him in a New York state case. Each of the 34 charges corresponds to specific false entries made in the Trump Organization’s books:
The genesis of these actions by Trump, Cohen, and others stems from a brief extramarital affair he had with Stormy Daniels, and money paid to her was to keep that matter quiet (a/k/a hush money). While we can all appreciate that no one should be above the law, there is reasonable concern that the trial was politically motivated and if Trump was not hated by the left or running for president again, he would have never been charged.
One could easily argue that Trump’s conviction could help quell future political figures from doing the same, as they may now realize, they could face real consequences for their actions. Whether that is the case remains to be seen. The conviction also may help to restore some of the public trust in the judicial system; however, if you are a hardcore Trump supporter, you will not see it that way. Though many envision him in an orange jumpsuit behind bars, the probability of a fine and house detention is more likely. We’ll know when sentencing comes down in mid-July.
The trial and Trump’s conviction stand to polarize the nation further than it is today, sadly. Trump’s conviction is likely to exacerbate political divisions in the United States. His supporters view the charges as part of a broader pattern of unfair treatment, and politicization of the justice system, and will likely rally around him even more fervently.
The conviction of Trump sets a historic precedent in the United States. It will likely lead to increased scrutiny of the actions of Joe Biden and his family more so than what has happened to date; it could lead to an actual trial of those beyond Hunter Biden, reinforcing the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards. It also raises concerns about the potential for legal actions to be used as political tools, necessitating stronger safeguards to ensure that the judiciary remains independent and unbiased.
While a conviction complicates Trump’s prospects for future political endeavors, it does not necessarily preclude him from running for office again. His ability to galvanize support despite legal troubles could see him maintaining a significant influence within his party and among his base. However, the legal battles will undoubtedly be a distraction and could alienate moderate voters.